Player Safety

Child Safe Standards

The Child Safe Standards have been introduced by the Victorian Government as a compulsory, minimum standard of safety in all organisations providing services to children. The Standards aim to drive cultural change in organisations, so that protecting children from abuse is embedded in everyday thinking and practice.

Effective 1 January 2017, all junior sporting clubs are obligated to observe the seven standards:

  • Standard 1: Strategies to embed an organisational culture of child safety, including through effective leadership arrangements.
  • Standard 2: A child safe policy or statement of commitment to child safety.
  • Standard 3: A code of conduct that establishes clear expectations for appropriate behaviour with children.
  • Standard 4: Screening, supervision, training and other human resources practices that reduce the risk of child abuse by new and existing personnel.
  • Standard 5: Processes for responding to and reporting suspected child abuse.
  • Standard 6: Strategies to identify and reduce or remove risks of child abuse.
  • Standard 7: Strategies to promote the participation and empowerment of children.

AFL Victoria and the Yarra Junior Football League are helping affiliated junior clubs to become compliant with the new Standards. The North Brunswick Junior Football Club is in the process of adopting the priority steps outlined by AFL Victoria:

  1. Working With Children Checks (WWCC)
    Required for the broad range of our volunteer positions. See our WWCC page.
  2. Child Safety Officer
    Our Vice President, Vince Iannuzzi, is also our Child Safety Officer. Heidi is the initial point of contact for any report of abuse.
  3. Reporting Procedure
    The Child Safety Officer (CSO) will escalate according to AFL guidelines.
  4. Social Media Use
    Communications are between club officials and parents/guardians, not the children. We are currently reviewing our Social Media policy.
  5. Recruitment Processes
    The Auskick Coordinators at North Brunswick have been vetted according to AFL Victoria requirements.

Standard 6 requires the Committee to be constantly vigilant about safety at Allard Park. This involves working with Moreland City Council to ensure that facilities and lighting will be maintained at an acceptable standard.

Safety on the Ground

Some precautionary measures apply to all children, whereas others are of an individual nature.

Universal

  • All players should warm-up before a game.
  • A healthy diet.
  • Drink enough water before a game.
  • Wear appropriate boots.
  • Apply sunscreen on sunny days.
  • Wear a mouth guard, preferably custom-made.

Individual

  • Players with a history of head injury should seek professional advice about wearing helmets.
  • Players with a history of ankle injury should wear external ankle support.
  • Players with a higher risk of cork thighs should consider wearing thigh protectors.
  • Players fasting for religious observance (e.g. Ramadan) should discuss additional bench time with their coaches.