Coolum Netball’s Commitment to Child Safety
Coolum Netball is committed to providing and protecting the rights of children and preventing abuse from occurring by fostering a culture where children feel safe and empowered to speak up.
We value diversity and are dedicated to ensuring the cultural safety of First Nations children, children from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds, and children with disability. We strive to ensure all children can participate fully and equally in netball.
Everyone in the netball community shares a responsibility to understand their role in ensuring the safety and wellbeing of all children and young people in our care.
At Coolum Netball, all children have the right to participate in netball in an environment that is safe, welcoming, and free from harm.
The 10 Child Safe Standards are one of two components of Queensland’s Child Safe Organisation system and must be implemented by businesses or organisations working with or providing spaces and facilities for anyone aged 17 years and under.
Around 40,000 organisations will need to show they are child safe through meeting these Standards. This includes small volunteer and community groups and sole traders, through to large and well-established organisations, such as hospitals, schools and churches.
Compliance has already commenced for some sectors, with the law taking effect in stages. Visit the Queensland Family & Child Commission webpage for more information.
Safeguarding for sporting associations and clubs
Sporting associations and clubs must make sure their members feel safe and protected from abuse, harm and neglect in sport
All sporting organisations should have practices and processes in place to ensure they are providing a safe and inclusive environment for children and young people participating in their sport.
Sporting organisations can show they are committed to protecting or 'safeguarding' their members by having:
fair and clear ways to handle complaints
clear rules and policies to keep people safe
risks managed in a consistent and safe way
processes and policies regularly reviewed and improved
leaders who set the tone for safety in sport and lead by example
volunteers and employees carefully chosen and properly trained.
Safeguarding for children and young people
When you play sport, you should feel safe and included at all times
Your sport should be a fun and safe place for you. If something makes you feel scared, hurt or uncomfortable, that’s not okay.
Everyone has a role to keep you safe, like coaches, parents and helpers.
Your sport follows special rules called the Children and Young People Safeguarding Policy. These rules help make sure sport is safe and fair for everyone.
These rules explain:
How people should treat you
What behaviour is okay and what’s not okay
What you can do if someone hurts you or makes you feel unsafe.
How can adults keep you safe?
People like your parents, carers, coaches and volunteers all have a job to make sure you’re safe and respected when you play sport.
Treat you with respect
Treat you fairly
Keep you safe and not hurt you in any way
Respect your privacy
Listen to you
Follow the rules of their jobs at all times
Support you and protect you from harm
Not treat you badly because you told someone about being hurt
Be allowed to work with children and young people.
There are many other things that might make you feel upset, scared or embarrassed that are not mentioned here.
You have a right to tell someone about anything that makes you feel unsafe or upset.
Your rights
You have rights that help keep you safe and happy:
You have the right to feel safe. No one should hurt you in any way
You have the right to privacy. Your body belongs to you. No one should touch you or take photos that make you feel uncomfortable
You have the right to be treated fairly. It doesn’t matter who you are, where you’re from, or what you can do – everyone should be treated with respect
You have the right to speak up. You can share your thoughts and feelings, and adults should listen and take you seriously.
You can learn more about your rights on the Children’s Rights Queensland website
Your responsibilities
Your rights come with responsibilities too.
That means:
You should respect other people’s rights
You shouldn’t hurt others or stop them from feeling safe and happy
Following the set of rules your sport has that says what kinds of behaviour is and isn't allowed in sport
If you ever feel unsafe or someone isn’t respecting your rights, tell an adult you trust – like a coach, parent, carer or teacher.
If they don’t help, keep telling someone until you feel safe.
Need help?
If something has happened at sport you are not alone – there are people and services that can help you
You won’t get in trouble or be blamed for speaking up. Your wellbeing and safety is very important.
Tell a trusted adult
This could be a coach, manager, teacher or parent. Adults can help assess the situation and take the right action.
If the issue is with another player or a specific situation, your coach may be able to help resolve it.
Support Services
If you think a child is in immediate danger, call Triple Zero (000) or your local police. If you prefer to report anonymously, you can visit Crime Stoppers or call their toll-free number.
Crime Stoppers 1800 333 000
Crime Stoppers Queensland is a registered charity and community volunteer organisation with a vision of a safer community, a safer Australia. Report non-urgent crime and suspicious activity to Crime Stoppers via this site.
Triple Zero – 000
Police, Fire, Ambulance
White Cloud 3155 3456
White Cloud Foundation was founded in 2011 to change the way mental health services are delivered in Australia. Our goal is to remove the barriers to accessing treatment and support and make it as easy as possible to get the right help when you need it, from wherever you live.
Beyond Blue 1300 224 636
Beyond Blue is here to help all people in Australia achieve their best possible mental health.
Headspace is Australia’s National Youth Mental Health Foundation, providing early intervention mental health services to 12-25 year olds.
Lifeline 13 11 14
A national charity providing all Australians experiencing emotional distress with access to 24 hour crisis support and suicide prevention services.
Mental Health Access Line 1300 642 255
A confidential mental health telephone triage service that provides the first point of contact to public mental health services to Queenslanders.
13 YARN - 13 92 76
If you, or someone you know, are feeling worried or no good, we encourage you to connect with 13YARN on 13 92 76 (24 hours/7 days) and talk with an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander Crisis Supporter.
Kids Helpline is Australia’s only free (even from a mobile), confidential 24/7 online and phone counselling service for young people aged 5 to 25.
Qualified counsellors at Kids Helpline are available anytime and for any reason.
CHILD SAFEGUARDING POLICIES
Netball Australia Policies
Netball Australia Member Protection Policy
Netball Australia Safeguarding Children & Young People Policy
Netball Australia Netball Integrity Policy Framework, Conduct and Disciplinary Policy
Netball Australia Complaint and Disciplinary Policy
Netball Australia Code of Conduct for Community Sport
Coolum Netball Policies
Member Protection Policy 001-001
Code of Behaviour Policy 001-002
Child and Youth Risk Management Policy 001-004
Blue Card Policy 001-005
Links to the above policies and more can be found in our Governance tab in the menu bar under Policies and Procedures. Coolum Netball regularly reviews our policies and practices as part of continuous improvement.