EXPLAINED
child safety
Surfcoast Basketball Association’s Commitment to Child Safety – At Surfcoast Basketball Association (SBA), the safety, wellbeing and inclusion of children and young people is our highest priority.
We are committed to providing a safe, welcoming and inclusive environment where every child can enjoy basketball, develop their skills, build friendships and feel respected. Every child has the right to participate in sport free from abuse, harm, discrimination, bullying and neglect.
SBA has zero tolerance for child abuse and is committed to meeting and exceeding the Victorian Child Safe Standards. We work closely with Basketball Victoria to ensure our policies, procedures and practices promote a culture where children are safe, heard and supported.
Everyone involved with SBA, including players, parents, coaches, team managers, referees, volunteers and staff, shares responsibility for creating a child-safe environment.
Victorian Child Safe Standards
The Victorian Child Safe Standards are designed to help organisations create environments that protect children from abuse and promote their wellbeing.
At SBA, we are committed to implementing the 11 Victorian Child Safe Standards by:
- Promoting a culture of child safety and wellbeing.
- Listening to and empowering children and young people.
- Ensuring our staff and volunteers are appropriately screened, trained and supported.
- Having clear policies and procedures for responding to concerns.
- Continuously reviewing and improving our child safety practices.
Our Child Safety Policy, Code of Conduct and related documents are available below.
Governing Bodies
SBA supports the National Integrity Framework and aligns with Basketball Victoria and Sports Integrity Australia to promote safe, fair and inclusive sport.
Both organisations provide education and resources on:
- Child Safeguarding
- Member Protection
- Discrimination
- Bullying
- Harassment
- Abuse
- Grooming
- Complaints and integrity processes
We encourage all members of our basketball community to learn more about creating safe sporting environments.
What to do if you have a Child Safety concern
If you are concerned about the safety or wellbeing of a child, please speak up. Every concern is taken seriously.
If there is an immediate concern
Please notify the SBA Court Supervisor on duty as soon as possible so appropriate action can be taken. If a child is in immediate danger or requires urgent assistance, contact Victoria Police on 000.
To report a concern confidentially
If your concern is not urgent, or you would prefer to report it confidentially, please contact our Child Safety Officer by email: childsafety@sba.org.au
This email inbox is administered solely by the SBA Child Safety Officer to ensure reports are handled confidentially and in accordance with our Child Safety procedures.
All concerns will be treated respectfully, confidentially and in line with Basketball Victoria and Victorian Child Safe Standards requirements.
Everyone plays a part
Creating a child-safe environment is everyone’s responsibility.
Whether you are a player, parent, coach, official, volunteer or spectator, we ask that you:
- Treat every child with respect.
- Promote positive and inclusive behaviour.
- Report any concerns or inappropriate behaviour.
- Support SBA’s Child Safety Policies and Codes of Conduct.
Together, we can ensure basketball remains a safe, positive and enjoyable experience for every child.
Child Safety Requirements for Coaches & Team Managers
At Surfcoast Basketball Association (SBA), protecting children and young people is a shared responsibility. Every person working directly with junior participants is required to meet a range of Child Safety requirements before they are permitted to undertake their role.
These requirements help ensure that our coaches and team managers understand their responsibilities and are committed to providing a safe, inclusive and positive environment for every participant.
Junior Domestic Team Coaches
Before coaching a junior domestic team, all coaches must provide, complete and agree to the following compulsory requirements:
- A current Victorian Working with Children Check (WWCC) linked to Surfcoast Basketball Association.
- Basketball Victoria Member Protection Statutory Declaration.
- Basketball Victoria Child Safeguarding Code of Conduct.
- Surfcoast Basketball Association Coaches Code of Conduct.
- SBA Child Safety Screening.
Please note: All Coach and Team Manager registrations are conditional upon the above screening requirements remaining current, valid and approved by Surfcoast Basketball Association.
SBA reserves the right to suspend or cancel any Coach or Team Manager registration at any time throughout the season where there has been a breach of Child Safety requirements, the Code of Conduct, or any other Association or Basketball Victoria policy or procedure.
Applicants who have a history of substantiated Child Safety concerns, member protection breaches, integrity sanctions, or suspensions that are considered incompatible with working with children will not be eligible to coach within Surfcoast Basketball Association.
Junior Representative (Surfcoast Chargers) Coaches
As representatives of Surfcoast Basketball Association, Surfcoast Chargers coaches are required to complete additional Child Safety requirements.
Prior to appointment, all representative coaches must provide and complete:
- A current Victorian Working with Children Check (WWCC) linked to Surfcoast Basketball Association.
- Basketball Victoria Member Protection Statutory Declaration.
- Basketball Victoria Child Safeguarding Code of Conduct.
- Surfcoast Basketball Association Coaches Code of Conduct.
- Child Transport Consent Form.
- SBA Child Safety Screening.
Coaching appointments will not be confirmed until all Child Safety documentation has been received, verified and approved by the Association. Applicants who have a history of substantiated Child Safety concerns, member protection breaches, integrity sanctions, or suspensions that are considered incompatible with working with children will not be eligible to coach within Surfcoast Basketball Association.
Team Managers & Fill-In Coaches
The safety of our participants remains the same regardless of the role being undertaken.
Accordingly, all Team Managers and Fill-In Coaches are required to meet the same Child Safety requirements applicable to the role they are performing before they may participate in any SBA or Surfcoast Chargers activities involving junior participants.
