AFL Gippsland Introduces Safeguarding Children and Young People Policy

AFL Gippsland has formally introduced its Safeguarding Children and Young People Policy, reinforcing our commitment to ensuring football environments across the region are safe, inclusive and respectful for all children and young people.

The policy, effective from January 2026, provides a clear framework for protecting children involved in football across Gippsland and outlines the shared responsibilities of clubs, leagues, volunteers, officials and staff in creating and maintaining child-safe environments AFL Gippsland Child Safeguarding.

Why This Policy Is Needed

Community football plays a vital role in the lives of children and families across Gippsland. With that role comes a responsibility to ensure every child feels safe, supported and empowered to speak up. The Safeguarding Policy has been developed to:

• Protect children and young people from harm, abuse, neglect and inappropriate behaviour
• Clearly define expectations for adults involved in football
• Support clubs and leagues to meet their legal and moral child-safety obligations
• Embed a strong, consistent child-safe culture across all Gippsland competitions and programs

Safeguarding is not just about compliance — it is about trust, leadership and ensuring football remains a positive experience for every child involved.

Alignment with AFL Victoria and National Standards

The AFL Gippsland Safeguarding Policy aligns with:

• AFL Victoria guidelines
• The AFL’s National Safeguarding Children and Young People Policy
• The Victorian Child Safe Standards and relevant legislation

This ensures consistency across community football and provides clubs with confidence that their practices meet recognised best-practice standards.

Building on the 2025 Safeguarding Webinar

Following the strong engagement in the 2025 Safeguarding Webinar, AFL Gippsland will again host safeguarding education sessions in 2026.

These sessions are designed to:

• Support club committees, coaches and volunteers
• Reinforce reporting pathways and responsibilities
• Build confidence in recognising and responding to concerns
• Share practical tools and real-world scenarios

Further details on the 2026 webinar will be communicated directly to clubs.

Child Safety Officers – A Key Club Requirement

AFL Gippsland strongly recommends that all clubs appoint at least one, and ideally two, Child Safety Officers within their committee structure.

Child Safety Officers play a critical role by:

• Acting as a visible and trusted point of contact
• Supporting safe recruitment, induction and conduct
• Assisting with reporting and complaint processes
• Helping embed child-safe practices across the club

Having multiple officers ensures continuity, support and accessibility for children, parents and volunteers.

Resources Available to Support Clubs

To assist clubs in meeting safeguarding requirements, a comprehensive range of policy templates, posters, printables and education resources are available via the Play.AFL Safeguarding hub.

These resources can be used to:

• Develop or review club safeguarding policies
• Display clear child-safety information around club facilities
• Support induction of volunteers and committee members
• Ensure consistent messaging across all levels of the club

 Access all safeguarding resources at: https://play.afl/safeguarding

Our Shared Responsibility

Safeguarding children and young people is a shared responsibility. AFL Gippsland is committed to working alongside clubs and leagues to provide education, guidance and practical support, while expecting all adults involved in football to play their part.

By embedding strong safeguarding practices, we protect not only children, but also the integrity, sustainability and future of football across Gippsland.

For further information or support, please contact:

• Nicole Bertuna – Club Development Lead: nicole.bertuna@afl.com.au or 0499 321 423

• Tim Cotter – Region Manager: timothy.cotter@afl.com.au or 0499 325 322