The need to make sidelines fairer and safer

056/11

Sickened by the latest reports of a 15 year old referee getting abused during a junior rugby league match, I have decided to approach various sporting codes and local elite clubs as well as media outlets to see how we can work together to stamp out abuse of players, coaches and referees at games.

The ACT Government already provides training for coaches and parents on how to deal with abusive ‘ugly parents’ on the sidelines of kids’ sporting matches as well as how to stamp out discrimination, abuse and ensure child safety in sport.

Sport is important for helping kids stay fit and healthy and in helping them learn social skills. For many older kids it’s also an opportunity to volunteer as coaches and referees.

To have kids’ involvement in sport marred by adults on the sidelines yelling abuse, or players abusing a referee is unacceptable.

The course the ACT Government offers is part of our efforts to train those involved in sport in how to handle this type of behaviour, how to ensure the welfare of kids in their care, and how to stamp out other forms of abuse and harassment including homophobia.

Participants on the course qualify as Member Protection Information Officers (MPIO) and are the first point of call in a club, state or national sporting organisation for any queries, complaints or concerns around harassment, discrimination and child abuse in sport.

In the past five years, more than 70 people have completed the MPIO course run by the ACT Government. But clearly more needs to be done.

Over the coming weeks I will be speaking with various sporting codes, local teams and media outlets and I look forward to being able to make an announcement soon about how we can all chip-in to mount a sustained campaign against abuse in sport – especially abuse of children.

I will also raise the issue at the next meeting of Sports Ministers in September.