Australian Cricket recognises the important role that children and young people play within our sport and the special care and attention that they need to feel safe.
Australian Cricket and Affiliated Associations and Clubs “Child Safe Commitment Statement” seeks to:
- provide safe and supportive physical and online environments for all Children and Young People, including by:
- establishing culturally safe environments in which the diverse and unique identities and experiences of Aboriginal children and young people are respected and valued; and
- paying particular attention to the needs of vulnerable children, children with disability, children from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds, and lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersec children and young people.
- ensure that the experiences of Children and Young People are free from any form of Prohibited conduct including Child Abuse or Grooming;
- empower Children and Young People to act and respond to behaviour that is not acceptable or inappropriate;
- publicise and make available the Codes of Behaviour that underpin our sport;
- make information available on who Children and Young People can approach is they feel unsafe or they become aware or are concerned about any form of Prohibited Conduct including Child Abuse or Grooming;
- establish a reporting framework that allows Children and Young People and others to report any incident affecting the safety and wellbeing of Children and Young People; and
- provide support services to any Child or Young Person and their families who might be affected by any form of Prohibited Conduct including Child Abuse or Grooming.
Australian Cricket’s Policy for Safeguarding Children and Young People aims to ensure that cricket creates a safe, fair and inclusive environment for all Children and Young People associated with our sport from Affiliated Associations and Clubs through to Australian Cricket programs and services.
To deliver Australian Cricket’s Policy for Safeguarding Children and Young People, EDCC understands our responsibilities in respect of this Policy. We will:
- Strive to establish a culturally safe environment in which the diverse and unique identities and experience of Aboriginal Children and Young People are respected and valued;
- Embed Child Safety and Wellbeing in our leadership, governance and culture;
- Empower Children and Young People so that they know their rights, participate in decisions affecting them and are taken seriously;
- Inform and engage families in respect to child safety and wellbeing;
- Ensure that equity & diversity is upheld through our policies and practices;
- Engage Australian Cricket Personnel and Cricket Participants to ensure that they are suitable to work with Children and Young People;
- Handle complaints and concerns promptly, thoroughly and with a child focused approach;
- Educate our volunteer and paid workforce to provide them with the knowledge and skills to keep Children and Young People safe;
- Promote the safety & wellbeing of Children and Young People through physical and online environments;
- Review and improve our child safe policies, procedures and practices regularly;
- Role model behaviour and actions documented in policies, procedures and practices that guide how our organisations are safe for Children and Young People;
- Comply with relevant federal, state and territory child safe legislation, National Principles for Child Safe Organisations and legislated Child Safe Standards;
- Protect the privacy of Children and Young People and their families and comply with the Australian Cricket Privacy Policy and all applicable privacy laws, including under the Privacy Act 1988 (Cth).
In accordance with Australian Cricket’s “Looking After Our Kids Code of Behaviour”, all persons at EDCC must adhere to the following guidelines:
- Ensure all Children and Young People participating in cricket feel safe, included, encouraged and supported.
- Use positive guidance strategies to ensure that Children and Young People are respected and treated fairly, giving positive and constructive feedback rather than negative criticism. If an individual is required to discipline a Child or Young Person, they must ensure that appropriate techniques are used with the safety and wellbeing of the Child or Young Person being considered.
- Put the welfare of Children and Young People first by encouraging a constructive environment where healthy competition, skill development, fun and achievement are promoted.
- Promote good sportsmanship by encouraging Children and Young People to be considerate of players, officials and volunteers.
- Ensure that physical contact with a Child or Young Person is appropriate for delivery of the program or services such as skill development or correction, fitting equipment or to provide comfort or support.
- Use appropriate language and communication techniques when dealing with Children and Young People, providing clear direction, guidance and avoiding language that is:
- discriminatory, racist, sexist, homophobic, biphobic or transphobic;
- derogatory, belittling, negative, sexual, profane or offensive; or
- intended to threaten or be harmful to the Child or Young Person.
- Avoid one-on-one unsupervised contact with Children and Young People at all times.
- Ensure change room and accommodation arrangements are appropriately considered to allow for suitable supervision whilst recognising the privacy of Children and Young People.
- Not take photos, videos or other recordings (including livestreaming) of Children and Young People without the prior consent of their parent or guardian. Any photos, videos or other recordings must be in connection with the Child or Young Person’s participation in our sport.
- Not seek to or contact Children or Young People outside contact that is required as part of the scope of the individual’s role in our sport.
- Not engage in inappropriate conversations in the presence of Children and Young People, including communication on social media, email or mobile phone.
- Not supply alcohol or drugs to Children or Young People or be under the influence of alcohol or drugs when in the presence of Children and Young People.
Our Commitment to Parents and Guardians
Australian Cricket and the Affiliated Associations and Clubs are committed to supporting parents and guardians in protecting and safeguarding Children and Young People.
Australian Cricket and the Affiliated Associations and Clubs seek to:
a) communicate with parents and guardians of Children and Young People regarding the expectations of our sport in ensuring a safe environment for Children and Young People; and
b) publicise and share information with parents and guardians about safeguarding Children and Young People and where they can go to for assistance if they require further information, advice or would like to make a complaint under this Policy.
Our Commitment to Being a Child Safe Organisation
EDCC will implement Australian Cricket's Safeguarding Children and Young People Framework by:
- Appointing a Child Safety Officer or Member Protection Information Officer to lead implementation;
- Endorsing and annually re-endorsing this Policy, the Commitment Statement for Safeguarding Children & Young People and Australian Cricket’s Code of Behaviour for Affiliated Associations and Clubs;
- Striving to ensure that all Cricket Participants understand and are aware the of Australian Cricket policies and Codes of Behaviour relating to the safety and wellbeing of Children and Young People;
- Screening and inducting Cricket Participants in accordance with this policy;
- Reporting any instances or allegations of Prohibited Conduct in accordance with the process set out in this Policy;
- Committing to continuously improve approaches to child empowerment and a child safe culture;
- Ensuring that all cricket participants are provided with the appropriate support following any incidents or complaints raised under this policy.
We endorse Australian Cricket's Commitment to Safeguarding Children and Young People.
Junior - Parent Declaration
I consent to my child participating with the East Doncaster Cricket Club (EDCC) in relation to all training, matches, competitions and other cricket related events and programs for the 2022-23 season. I acknowledge that cricket can be inherently dangerous and that serious accidents can happen, which may result in my child being injured.
Except to the extent that the Trade Practices Act 1974 (Cth) or other legislation applies, and cannot by contract be excluded, I agree, both on behalf of my child and in my own right, that it is a term of my child’s participation that EDCC is absolved and indemnified from all liability however arising from injury or damage however caused arising out of my child’s participation in the 2022-23 cricket season with EDCC or in any way due to any negligent act, breach of duty, default and/or omission on the part of EDCC.
I agree, both on behalf of my child and in my own right, to release and forever discharge the EDCC from all claims (except those claims made and accepted under a relevant EDCC insurance policy, to the extent of the cover provided under the policy – summary available upon request) that I or my child may have or may have had but for this release arising from or in connection with my child’s participation in EDCC’s training, matches, program, competitions or other cricketing related events.
I confirm that I am a parent or legal guardian of the child(ren) and that I am responsible for organising transportation of the child to and from cricket activities. I indemnify the EDCC for all liability and costs associated with my failure to arrange for the prompt collection of my child after the completion of cricket activities.
I authorise EDCC representatives to arrange medical or hospital treatment (including ambulance transportation) if I am not available to do so and I indemnify the EDCC of all costs associated therewith.
Privacy Statement: EDCC is committed to the protection of your personal information. Any personal information you provide to the EDCC will be used for those purposes, which the information was gathered for as stated and related purposes which can be reasonably expected.