Football is Australia’s number one club-based participation sport with over 1.8 million participants playing the world game across the country.
What intrinsically drives football in Australia is the love of the game and the multitude of connections that are forged in our communities and clubs through the sport.
In addition to being the biggest participation sport in Australia, football is also the most diverse with participants born in over 180 different countries.
Football Australia (FA) strives to protect all participants and football members from harm in an effort to ensure that everyone is given the chance to partake in football in a positive and safe environment. Whether it be a club volunteer, referee, coach or player, the safety and welfare of those involved is paramount so that participants can focus on enjoying the game we all love.
The FA recently delivered a newly updated Member Protection Framework (MBF), which is a suite of policies and resources that support the FA’s commitment to eliminating discrimination, harassment, child abuse and other forms of inappropriate behaviour from football.
The new MBF provides greater clarity and has addressed some of the inconsistencies in the previous Member Protection Policy document, particularly in relation to procedures for breaches of the policy.
The MPF covers:
- Safeguarding
- Bullying and Harassment
- Anti-Discrimination
- XI Standards of Respect
- Complaints Procedure
A comprehensive standalone Safeguarding Policy, which forms part of the MBF, has been developed in line with the National Principles for Child Safe Organisations as endorsed by the Council of Australian Governments.
The updated Complaints Procedure will ensure better clarity in regards to how a complaint may be dealt with under the MBF, whilst clarifying that Football Entities have the power to take disciplinary action under separate regulations, such as the National Code of Conduct and Ethics.
The MBF will be a constantly expanding source of information in order to best support football administrators and participants alike in helping to address member protection matters in our sport. The MBF is supported by a confidential online reporting tool for member protection matters arising at a national level to be reported to Football Australia.
With this renewed MBF, Football Australia have adhered to their responsibility in providing a positive, safe and welcoming environment for each other in our game.
