Forging respectful relationships in sport
Friday, 16 August 2019
More than 60 volunteer leaders of local sporting clubs recently attended Inner West Council’s Respectful Relationships in Sport forum.
Council hosted the forum in partnership with the National Association for Prevention of Child Abuse and Neglect, with two more forums to be held later in the year.
Inner West Mayor Darcy Byrne said that the forums were about creating a culture of respect for players, coaches and spectators.
“We want to train a generation of local kids and young people to have healthy and safe relationships.
“This is about making sure everyone involved - kids, parents and coaches - play fair and show respect for one another both on and off the field,” he said.
“Local sports clubs are the largest volunteer network in our community and we are partnering with them to train more kids to have respectful relationships.
“With more women and girls playing sport than ever before, we particularly want to give our clubs the tools they need to provide a welcoming, and positive environment for them.”
Representatives from the AFL, athletics, cricket, football, netball and the rugby league and rugby union associations have committed to making sport a safe, inclusive and fun place to be for children, women and families.
The forums provide information, resources and tips on how to establish a respectful culture in sport from an early age.
Inner West Council’s Office of Sport Coordinator Carla Stacey said another aim from the forums is to increase participation in sport especially in girls and women.
“This is a critical area identified by Council, to lift participation rates of some groups that care currently under-represented in organised sport,” said Ms Stacey.
Council is undertaking a suite of measures to educate people on violence and sexual assault prevention. This includes the Inner West Love Bites program which is an interactive and innovative school-based domestic, family and relationship violence and sexual assault prevention education program aimed at young people aged 14-16 years.
The Office of Sport will be hosting a series of workshops that provide practical support for local clubs. The next workshops will be held:
Monday, 28 October: Creating Child Safe Clubs, delivered by NSW Office of Sport
Monday, 18 November: Member Protection Information Officer training
For interviews or print quality images, please contact the Communications team.
For media enquiries, contact Elizabeth Heath | Media and Communications Coordinator P: +61 2 9392 5334 | E: Elizabeth.Heath@innerwest.nsw.gov.au