Football Victoria (FV) is committed to creating a safe, supportive, and inclusive environment for all participants, and we take child safety very seriously.
To support Clubs and Associations as they transition through the annual AGM cycles and new position holders may commence, FV wanted to take this opportunity to remind all Clubs and Associations of FV’s Working with Children Check (WWCC) Policy and Child Safety Policy, which are essential to ensuring all young people can play football in a safe environment.
Key details of the WWCC policy:
- Who Needs a Check?
- Any individual in a role that involves working with, supervising, or having contact with children under 18 must have a valid WWCC. This includes all coaches, team managers, committee members, and other relevant volunteers as parental or family exemptions are not recognised under FV Policy.
- Clubs who only have senior teams are still required to abide by the above, as senior coaches, team managers, etc will be exposed to environments with minors present (including Referees under 18, away games with junior fixtures occurring at the same time, etc).
- Compliance Requirements
- Clubs and Associations are responsible for ensuring that all eligible individuals have a current and valid WWCC. Regular audits may be conducted by FV to support compliance.
- Record Keeping
- It is essential for each club to maintain accurate records of WWCCs for all applicable personnel. Keeping these records up-to-date is part of your obligation to meet FV’s policy standards and Victorian legislative requirements.
- Reporting
- Any breaches, risks, or concerns regarding child safety should be reported promptly to FV. Our team is here to support you in addressing any issues that may arise.
For full details of the policy, please review the document here: FV Working with Children Check Policy.
Further support on child safety in football
Child safety is a priority at every level of the game. Visit our Child Safety Resource Hub for additional guidance on child safety, resources for Clubs, and best practices for fostering a safe environment for our young players: Child Safety in Football.
Thank you for your commitment to protecting the welfare of young people in our football community.
Should you have any questions or need assistance in implementing these policies, please don’t hesitate to reach out to Simon Wrench, your local Development Coordinator.