Child Safety Statement
In 2017, the Victorian Government introduced Child Safe Standards for organisations such as the Western Region Football League (WRFL) and the West Footscray Roosters. In July 2022, 11 new and updated Child Safe Standards were put in place.
Our Club must operate in a way that ensures the safety of children and apply the necessary policies and practices, including Victoria’s Child Safe Standards. You can find an overview of the standards here.
Here at the Roosters, we join with the Western Region Football League in a shared commitment to promote and protect safety and well-being and aim to do this by fostering a child safe culture for the children and young people in our care. Child safety is the business of everyone involved in our club including members of the Club’s junior committee, coaches, officials, players, parents, and spectators.
Our Club operates in a way that aims to protect children and address any opportunities for child abuse or harm to occur, including discrimination of any type. Child safety is also about providing an environment that empowers children, accepts and promotes diversity, and is culturally safe.
Policies and Procedures
Our club has adopted a range of important measures to promote child safety, including:
- the WRFL Child Safe Policy and Mission Statement
- the WRFL Code of Conduct
- the WRFL Standards for Volunteer Recruitment
- risk assessments to identify potentially dangerous situations
- initatives to empower children at our club.
We have also adopted the AFL’s Safe Footy Guidelines which provide guidance for coaches and volunteers on key issues such as:
- maintaining professional boundaries with children and young people
- expected behaviours of coaches and volunteers
- communicating with children and young people
- supervising children or young people
- raising safety concerns.
Reporting Child Safety incidents
Children at our club have the right to enjoy playing football safely and they have the right to speak up if someone is doing something that stops them from enjoying playing and being an equal part of our club.
At any stage you or your child has a child safety concern in relation to a disclosure, allegation, suspicion, or observation about abuse or harm, a breach of the club’s code of conduct, or an issue related child safety please contact the club’s Child Safety Officer Justin Mullaly via phone on 0425 743 960 or email at WFRJChildSafety@gmail.com. Any matter raised will be treated seriously and in line with the WRFL processes.
As important as it is to take child safety seriously it’s also important to acknowledge that we have, over many years, worked hard as club to foster a culture of safety, respect, teamwork, and fun – and we have our fantastic players and their families to thank for that.
GO ROOSTERS!
Child Safety Officer Resources
Refer to our Junior Committee page for the name and details of our current Child Safety Officer.
Child Safety Officer Position Description
Child Safety Officer Handbook
Volunteer Qualification Requirements
Child Protection & Safe Guarding Online Course
Your Right to Enjoy Footy - an information sheet aimed at those under 18 to make them aware of their rights and the importance of speaking up when uncomfortable or unhappy. Recommended that it be displayed in the club rooms where it is visible to players.
