3.1 Intent

As a community club we are committed to the safety and wellbeing of children while enabling their participation as valued members of our community. The safety of children in our club is at the centre of everything we do and we have zero tolerance to child abuse and harm. We recognise our legal and moral responsibilities in keeping children safe and have robust policies and procedures in place to meet this commitment. 

New legislation was passed through the Tasmanian parliament in 2023 requiring all organisations to become compliant with the Tasmanian Child and Youth Safe Framework, this is the Child and Youth Safe Organisations Act 2023. The Framework creates the: 

1. Child and Youth Safe Standards - 10 standards which organisations in Tasmania must put into practice in an ongoing and simultaneous manner. These are defined under the legislation and mirror the National Principles for Child Safety. 

2. Reportable Conduct Scheme 

3. Independent Regulator.

The purpose of this policy is to define CUPS’ commitment to creating and maintaining a Child Safe Organisation and complying with the Child and Youth Safe Organisations Framework in order to protect children from abuse and harm. 

3.2 Child safety and wellbeing policy

This policy applies to all CUPS committee members, volunteers, coaches, managers and anyone who assists the club in any capacity, irrespective of their involvement in child related work. There are no exclusions to the application of this policy. 

This policy is to be regularly reviewed and updated to ensure the highest possible standards are maintained at all times. As a minimum, the policy will be reviewed and voted for acceptance at the club’s annual AGM. 

3.3 Tasmania’s 10 Child and Youth Safe Standards

The Tasmanian Child and Youth Safe Standards (the Standards) outline how an organisation can develop a culture with child safety and wellbeing at its centre. The Standards contribute to preventing abuse and harm. They require organisations to meet a benchmark which ensures children and young people’s rights to safety and wellbeing are respected and upheld. The standards and further information are available here: 

https://www.justice.tas.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0020/731270/Interim-Compliance-Guidance-for-Organisations-October-2023.pdf  

3.4 Code of conduct

All paid and unpaid staff, including volunteers, interns or trainees of CUPS are responsible for the safety and wellbeing of children and young people who engage with CUPS. All paid and unpaid staff are expected to act in accordance with this Code of Conduct in their physical and online interactions with children and young people under the age of 18 years: 

I will: 

• Act in accordance with CUPS child safety and wellbeing policies and procedures at all times. 

• Obtain and maintain a valid Working with Vulnerable People Card where required - all coaches, team managers and committee members. You can apply for your WWVP card here. 

• Behave respectfully, courteously and ethically towards children and their families, and towards other staff.

• Listen and respond to the views and concerns of children, particularly if they communicate (verbally or nonverbally) that they do not feel safe or well.

• Promote the human rights, safety and wellbeing of all children in CUPS. 

• Demonstrate appropriate personal and professional boundaries. 

• Consider and respect the diverse backgrounds and needs of children.

• Create an environment that promotes and enables children’s participation and is welcoming, culturally safe and inclusive for all children and their families.

• Involve children in making decisions about activities, policies and processes that concern them wherever possible.

• Contribute, where appropriate, to CUPS policies, discussions, learning and reviews about child safety and wellbeing.

• Identify and mitigate risks to children’s safety and wellbeing. 

• Respond to any concerns or complaints of child harm or abuse promptly and in line with CUPS policy and procedure for receiving and responding to complaints.

• Report all suspected or disclosed child harm or abuse as required by Tasmania’s Child and Youth Safe Organisations Act 2023 and by CUPS policy and procedure on internal and external reporting. 

• Comply with CUPS protocols on communicating with children.

• Comply with the Child and Youth Safe Organisations Act 2023. 

I will not: 

• Engage in any unlawful activity with or in relation to a child.

• Engage in any activity that is likely to physically, sexually or emotionally harm a child. 

• Unlawfully discriminate against any child or their family members.

• Be alone with a child

• Arrange personal contact, including online contact, with children I am working with for a purpose unrelated to CUPS activities.

• Disclose personal or sensitive information about a child, including images of a child, unless the child and their parent or legal guardian consent or unless I am required to do so by CUPS policy and procedure on reporting.  

• Use inappropriate language in the presence of children, or show or provide children with access to inappropriate images or material. 

• Work with children while under the influence of alcohol or prohibited drugs.

• Ignore or disregard any suspected or disclosed child harm or abuse.

If I think this Code of Conduct has been breached by another person in CUPS I will:

• Act to prioritise the best interests of children.

• Take actions promptly to ensure that children are safe. 

• Promptly report any concerns through the (3.5) Complaint Handling Process. 

• Comply with the Child and Youth Safe Organisations Act 2023 if relevant, and with CUPS policy and procedure on internal and external reporting. 

3.5 Complaint handling process

Any complaint or concern can be raised by: 

• Directly contacting the Club President or Secretary

• Via email to the Club

• Confidentially via this link or QR code advertised in the club rooms

Complaints will be handled confidentially by the club President, in line with the Reportable Conduct scheme. The President will conduct an investigation, and may engage the support and advice of an external body, including and not limited to:

• CRJFA

• Football Tas

• Office of the Independent Regulator

• A registered Member Protection Information Officer (MPIO) 

In line with the Reportable Conduct Scheme, the Club will notify the Office of the Independent Regulator within 3 days of any concerns raised regarding conduct related to child abuse involving any adult worker or volunteer.

All adults are reminded that we play football to have fun and that the purpose of our club is: 

• to promote the game of football; and

• to provide a social environment for all Club Members, families and friends, and

• to provide training and sporting facilities for all Club Members;

Channel United has a fantastic reputation for fair play, respectful treatment of other teams and courteous behaviour. This may not always be the case with other teams you encounter, we will always be in conrol of our own behaviour despite what others choose to do. 

We encourage a positive environment during training and games. The emphasis will be on participation and enjoyment of the game of soccer. Some important points to remember: 

• Parents and guardians should lead by example in every aspect of the game

• Enthusiastically encourage children on both teams regardless of the score 

• Excessive parent or player celebration of goals is discouraged - it is not respectful to the other team nor does it reflect positively on CUPS

• Foul language will not be tolerated at any time. 

• Arguing with, or abusing, players, game officials or spectators will not be tolerated. Any inappropriate behaviour will affect your child's registration with CUPS

• Soccer has a behaviour management policy inline with that of the schools. CUPS reserves the right to de-register a player from training and playing should behaviour become an issue

• Always seek permission for your coach or team manager, and the opposition coach or team manager, if you wish to take photos or record the game. 

• No pictures of any CRJFA game should be placed on social media without the specific permission of all parties involved. 

• Your actions at soccer are a direct reflection of our community and club

Dogs

No dogs are permitted at any training or games. CUPS and CRJFA both have a NO DOGS policy at training and games. Please ensure that family and friends attending games are aware of this policy to ensure there are no issues or offence if they are ask to leave with the oval with their dog

• Games are played in the mornings and early afternoons on ovals around Hobart, Channel and the Huon

• If your child is unable to play please let your coach or team manager know as early as possible

• Rosters will be made available on the Central Region website

• The first roster will cover the the first 4 or 5 games which are grading games. Your teams grading may then change for the rest of the season depending on scores from the initial games

• Please arrive at your game at least 15 minutes prior to the start time - this allows for warm up and team briefing 

• Game day cancellations are made on the basis of ground condition, not weather. They are advised via the Central Region website, the Facebook page Central Region Junior Football and major radio stations on Saturday mornings. Coaches and team managers will also advise their teams of any cancellations of training and games

• When parking at the Van Morey Road oval please exercise caution due to heavy traffic. Do not obstruct the fire station driveway or park in their carpark at any time

• Coaches are encouraged to recognise teamwork, sportsmanship and respect throughout the season rather than rewarding individual achievements 

The conclusion of the soccer season is celebrated at our annual presentation event - more information will be available here later in the season. 

• Training days and location will be advised by the team coach or team manager

• Training happens at various schools including Snug, Margate, Tarremah and Bruny Island

• It usually commences at around 15:00 and concludes around 16:00

• Parents and guardians are responsible for ensuring children are at training with the correct equipment (shin pads are essential)

• Friends and siblings of children playing are not allowed to train - only registered players can attend training

• Coaches and team managers will advise parents and guardians on the day if training is cancelled 

• Coaches do not assume duty of care for children during training. It is important that parents and guardians: 

  • Ensure a responsible person is present at their children's training and games

  • Make arrangements for the transfer of their children from school/school care to training and for collection after training

  • Have a backup plan in place in case training is cancelled

If you have a complaint or dispute: 

1. Please remember that all those involved in running the club and coaching teams are volunteers

2. If you have any concerns or issues about anything that happens at soccer, please speak with those people concerned immediately to resolve the issue. Involve your coach or team manager as required

3. If you witness player, coach or spectator behaviour or actions that upset you, please keep your cool. Keep the issue small, set an example for any children around, and choose the most appropriate and respectful response

4. If you have any other issues that are not able to be resolved, please contact us for advice or assistance

5. The CRJFA complaint handling process involves club and school soccer coordinators working together to resolve the issue at the delegate level, then communicating to parents and coaches as required

Remember that all coaches and team managers are volunteering their time to enable your child to play. Please respect the commitment they are making. 

Coaches and team managers are advised to

• Register asap - you cannot coach or manage if you are not registered

• Remember to maintain an environment that is positive and focused on fun and learning

• Check the pitch before the game starts to ensure it is safe

• Rotate player positions on the field throughout the season to develop and enhance their skills

• 2026 Taster Day -  Sunday 01 MAR26 

• Registrations close 29 MAR 26 

• Equipment collection evening - Tuesday 07 APR 26

• Season Launch - First 2026 games played 11 APR 26

• Q&A Coaches Support Session - Tuesday 05 MAY 26

• AGM - Saturday 01 AUG 26

• End of Season Event - Saturday 29 AUG 26