Child Safety
at Shellharbour City FCShellharbour City FC is committed to providing a safe, inclusive and supportive environment where children can enjoy football, develop their skills and build confidence.
The safety and wellbeing of players is a priority for the club. We believe that every child has the right to participate in football in an environment that is respectful, positive and free from harm. Creating that environment is a shared responsibility between the club, coaches, managers, volunteers, parents and spectators.
Our club promotes a culture where children feel safe, valued and encouraged to participate. We expect all adults involved in the club to model respectful behaviour, support positive sideline conduct and help ensure that football remains a fun and safe experience for every player.
Shellharbour City FC is committed to maintaining appropriate policies, procedures and practices that support child safety across all club activities including training, match days and club events.
Further information about our child safety practices, expectations and reporting processes can be found on this page.
Our Commitment
Shellharbour City FC is committed to creating an environment where children feel safe, respected and supported while participating in football. The club promotes a culture of positive behaviour, inclusion and respect across all teams, training sessions and match day activities.
All coaches, managers, volunteers and committee members are expected to contribute to a safe environment by modelling appropriate behaviour and supporting the wellbeing of players. The club supports respectful sideline behaviour and encourages parents and spectators to focus on creating a positive experience for children.
Child safety is considered in all areas of club activity, including training sessions, matches, events and communication with players and families.
The club works to maintain clear expectations and practical procedures that support the safety of players and ensure concerns can be raised and addressed appropriately.
Creating Safe Environments
We aim to ensure that training sessions, match days and club activities are conducted in environments that are open, visible and appropriate for young players.
At training sessions there must always be at least one other parent or responsible adult present in addition to the coach. Coaches should avoid situations where they are alone with a child or where a player may feel uncomfortable in a one-on-one environment.
On match days, coaches, managers, volunteers and ground marshals help provide a safe and welcoming environment for players and families. Parents and carers are encouraged to support this by demonstrating respectful behaviour and helping children understand where they can go if they need assistance.
Parents should teach younger players that if they feel lost, upset or unsure at the grounds they should go directly to the canteen area, where club volunteers will be present and able to assist them.
By working together, players, parents and volunteers help ensure the club remains a safe and supportive place for children to participate in football.
Child Safe Standards
The 10 Child Safe Standards provides a framework for clubs to help keep children safe from harm. These embed child safety in the attitudes, behaviours and practices of clubs and associations and the people who work and volunteer in them.
The 10 Standards
- Child safety is embedded in organisational leadership, governance and culture
- Children participate in decisions affecting them and are taken seriously
- Families and communities are informed and involved
- Equity is upheld and diverse needs are taken into account
- People working with children are suitable and supported
- Processes to respond to complaints of child abuse are child-focused
- Staff are equipped with the knowledge, skills and awareness to keep children safe through continual education and training
- Physical and online environments minimise the opportunity for abuse to occur
- Implementation of the Child Safe Standards is continuously reviewed and improved
- Policies and procedures document how the organisation is child safe.
You can read more about the 10 standards at https://footballnsw.com.au/member-protection-safety/safeguarding-children/
Reporting Concerns
Shellharbour City FC encourages anyone who has concerns about the safety or wellbeing of a child to raise those concerns so they can be addressed.
In many cases concerns can be raised with a team coach, team manager or committee member. The club also has a Member Protection Information Officer (MPIO) who can provide confidential guidance and support if someone is unsure how to raise an issue. You can contact our MPIO from our contact page.
All concerns are taken seriously and will be handled in accordance with the club’s policies and relevant football governing body guidelines.
If you are unsure what to do or would like further information about the club’s child safety policies, please contact the club or visit the relevant policy sections of the website.