Every conversation matters when it comes to keeping children and young people safe in sport.
The SportWest True Sport team was proud to participate in WACOSS' "Every Conversation Matters: Building Child Safe Organisations in WA" event during National Child Protection Week, joining leaders from across Western Australia who are committed to strengthening child-safe cultures and practices. The event brought together representatives from the community, sport, recreation, education and care sectors to explore practical approaches to creating safer environments for children and young people.
Through presentations, panel discussions and shared learning opportunities, attendees gained valuable insights into child-safe leadership, governance, culture and accountability. The event highlighted the important role organisations play in ensuring children and young people are safe, respected, included and heard, while providing practical tools and resources to support implementation of the National Principles for Child Safe Organisations.
Throughout the event, the True Sport team, in partnership with the WA Government, shared a range of practical resources, education tools and guidance designed to support sporting organisations in strengthening their child safeguarding practices. These resources help clubs, associations and sporting organisations embed child safety into everyday operations and create environments where children and young people can participate with confidence.
SportWest continues to work closely with the WA Government and Sport Integrity Australia to strengthen child safeguarding, integrity and participant wellbeing across the Western Australian sporting sector. Through the delivery of True Sport programs, resources, education and sector-wide initiatives, these partnerships help build the capability of sporting organisations to implement the National Principles for Child Safe Organisations and foster safe, inclusive and positive sporting environments for children and young people.
True Sport Manager, Jasmine Cappellucci said the event highlighted the collective responsibility all organisations have in creating environments where children and young people can thrive.
"Child safeguarding is everyone's responsibility, and creating child-safe environments starts with meaningful conversations, strong leadership and practical action. A key message from today's event was the importance of creating organisations where children feel respected, safe, heard and valued. In partnership with the WA Government and Sport Integrity Australia, we are committed to providing sporting organisations with the resources, education and support they need to embed the National Principles for Child Safe Organisations into everyday practice. It was fantastic to connect with organisations from across the sector, share learnings, and continue working together to ensure children and young people are safe, respected, included and heard in every sporting environment. Every conversation matters."
The event also provided a valuable opportunity to connect with organisations from across the community sector, exchange ideas and learn from the experiences of others working to strengthen child safety practices. These conversations reinforced the importance of collaboration and a shared commitment to ensuring all children and young people can participate in sport and community activities free from harm.
As the implementation of the National Principles continues across Western Australia, SportWest remains committed to supporting the sector through evidence-informed resources, education and capacity-building opportunities. By working together, organisations can move beyond compliance and continue building strong cultures that place the safety, wellbeing and voices of children and young people at the centre of decision-making.
SportWest thanks WACOSS, the City of Stirling and all participating organisations for facilitating this important event and for their ongoing commitment to strengthening child-safe organisations across Western Australia. Together, we can continue creating sporting environments where every child and young person is safe, supported, respected and able to thrive.
