Junior Sport

Playing sport is a great way for children and young people to have fun, develop friendships, learn new skills, and stay active and healthy. For young people to enjoy sport, however, it must be safe, fair and friendly. This benefits our children, our communities and our clubs.

Creating safe junior sport requires a commitment from all levels – sporting associations, coaches, parents and clubs. By working together to make junior sporting clubs and associations in Victoria a safer place for our children and young people to be, we can all enjoy playing and supporting the sports we love.

To help the sport and recreation sector, a Keeping Junior Sport Safe toolkit is available to assist clubs and associations implement the Working with Children Check and create safe junior sport environments.

Keeping Junior Sport Safe (PDF 4050 kb) or (Word 386 kb)

Working with Children Check

The Working with Children (WWC) Check was introduced in 2006 by the Victorian Government to help protect children under 18 years of age from physical or sexual harm by preventing those who pose a risk to their safety from working with them. It is managed by the Department of Justice. The Check enforces a mandatory minimum checking standard for people who work with children in either a paid or volunteer capacity.

Your sport may have a policy for who needs a WWC Check above that of the WWC Check. Find out from your State Sporting Association. The following record keeping sheet for your club is a handy tool to help track your clubs WWC Checks.

Record Keeping Sheet Template (Word 47 kb)
Record Keeping Sheet Example (PDF 486 kb)

For more information on the Working with Children Check:

Safety Guidelines for Children and Young People

Safer sport and recreation increases ongoing participation. In a positive and safe sporting or recreational environment, young people can develop healthy lifestyles, friendships, life skills and a strong sense of belonging and community.

Injury is a known barrier to participation and it is estimated that 50 per cent of injuries are preventable. The below guidelines have been developed by Sports Medicine Australia (SMA) to support safe participation in sport and recreation for children and young people.

Read SMA's Safety Guidelines for Children and Young People in Sport and Recreation (PDF 1793 kb) or (Word 134 kb).

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