Media Statement
246 Vincent Street
LEEDERVILLE, Western Australia 6007
Tel: (08) 9492 9700 Fax: (08) 9492 9711
G O V E R N M E N T O F W E S T E R N A U S T R A L I A
Department of Sport and Recreation
Government of Western Australia
17 June 2008
Attention: Editor
Creating a safer club made child's play
Community sporting clubs are learning how to create child safe and friendly
environments through training workshops conducted as part of the Safe Clubs 4 Kids
initiative.
Safe Clubs 4 Kids is a pilot project that has seen the Department of Sport and
Recreation (DSR), Western Australian Sports Federation (WASF), Surf Lifesaving
WA and WA Police work in partnership to develop and deliver a training package to
clubs on the important matter of child protection.
The project has been based on Surf Life Saving’s existing Nipper Safe program and
made applicable to all sports.
Football West, Netball WA and WA Football Commission are all involved in the Safe
Clubs 4 Kids pilot project, which consists of two stages.
The first stage involves people in each sport trained up to deliver the Safe Clubs 4
Kids training workshop to clubs. The second stage involves these trained presenters
delivering the training to clubs.
DSR Director General Ron Alexander said the aim of the project was to increase
awareness of child protection and reinforce that it was everyone’s responsibility to
keep children safe.
“Participation in sport and recreation is an important and beneficial part of childhood,
and the sport and recreation industry has an ethical obligation to provide a safe
environment for children, ” Mr Alexander said.
“DSR, WASF, Surf Life Saving WA and the WA Police are committed to minimising
the risk to children in the community and providing programs and services that
contribute to the development of safer environments for our children.”
WASF CEO Rob Thompson said most people who volunteered to work with children
did so to help them reach their potential.
“These people make a positive contribution in the lives of children in the community
and should be recognised and valued for their work,” Mr Thompson said.
“Safe Clubs 4 Kids is a proactive approach. It offers sporting clubs the tools and
resources needed to provide safe environments for their members. The partnership
of agencies involved in this pilot is a major strength of the project.”
ENDS
Media contact –
Amanda Iannuzzi
Public Affairs Officer
Department of Sport and Recreation
9492 9838
amanda.iannuzzi@dsr.wa.gov.au
NEWS 
