The safety and welfare of all members and especially children who are members of Abbotsford Juniors Football Club (AFJC) is of utmost importance.  

While every member of the Club has an important role to play, the Member Protection Information Officer (MPIO) at Abbotsford Juniors is responsible for ensuring the Club has appropriate information, processes and support to ensure that members are protected from physical, sexual or emotional abuse while participating in activities and playing for this Club.  Abbotsford Juniors is committed to providing a safe and positive environment for all members to participate in football.  

So what are we doing to protect club members? 

1.    AJFC has Codes of Conduct for players, officials and spectators.  These Codes outline appropriate behaviour for those involved with the Club and can be found on this website under Policies and Guidelines.  
 

2.    All officials (including coaches and team managers) at the Club who have direct involvement with children my undertake or already possess a Volunteer or Paid Working with Children Check. In addition, any Club Executive or official who is paid for the work at the Club must have appropriate certification, have undertaken a Working with Children Check and undergoes a background check.
 

3.   Every year all club officials are educated about child protection and encouraged to complete “Play by the Rules” online training, a government program to help prevent child abuse.  
 

4.   The Club organises Ground Officials to supervise games at Campbell Park and Lysaght Park to report on and deal with any abusive incidents.  
 

5.    AJFC has a protocol to deal fairly with any allegations of abuse. If you have an issue please contact the Club MPIO. Contact details for the MPIO can be found here.   We will listen to your concerns and suggest what further action you may wish to take.  This may include: 
 

a.    Discussing ways of managing the issue yourself;
 

b.    Referring the matter raised to the Club's Executive. This would involve gathering information about any incidents or concerns so that the Executive can decide further action. In order to be fair, anyone who has allegations made against them will usually be approached by the Executive for their version of events. The Club will seek to maintain the confidentiality of all parties involved. The Club may also seek advice from the Football Canterbury Association and/or Football NSW.  

c.    In serious cases, the Club may refer the matter to agencies such as DoCS or the police.  
 

Further information about child protection in sport can be found at the following links;   
  Office of the Advocate for Children and Young Adults
  NSW Office of the Children's Guardian
  Sports Australia
  Play By The Rules