Member Protection

Member Protection involves the implementation of practices to protect all members involved in a sporting organisation, association, league or club from discrimination, vilification, abuse and other forms of inappropriate behaviour.

Sport and Recreation Victoria encourages all sporting organisations to maintain policies and procedures that create safe, welcoming and enjoyable environments.

Sporting organisations are required to comply with legislative requirements (such as anti-discrimination and racial and religious vilification laws), identify the potential for any incidents relating to harassment and abuse of members and develop strategies to reduce the likelihood or severity of harassment or abuse.

Member Protection Resources

Play by the Rules provides information, resources, tools and free online training to increase the capacity and capability of administrators, coaches, officials, players, parents and spectators to assist them in preventing and dealing with discrimination, harassment, child safety, inclusion and integrity issues in sport.

The Fair Play Code outlines the standards of behaviour expected of everyone involved in sport and active recreation in Victoria. It is guided by the five principles of Integrity, Respect, Responsibility, Fairness and Safety. A number of Fair Play Code resources are available on the Fair Play Code webpage.

Sport Integrity Australia delivers the sport integrity functions for the Commonwealth Government. Sport Integrity Australia provides advice and assistance on the:

• failure to protect members of sporting organisations and other persons in a sporting environment from bullying, intimidation, discrimination or harassment.
• use of prohibited substances and methods in sport
• abuse of children and other persons in a sporting environment
• manipulation of sporting competitions.

The National Integrity Framework offers a suite of policies that set out expectations for the conduct of all participants in sport. There is a specific Member Protection Policy available for all sporting organisations to adopt.

Vicsport together with Sport and Recreation Victoria, deliver a Member Protection Network several times a year to bring together state sporting associations, regional sports assemblies and individuals working in the member protection space to discuss topical issues and opportunities for collaboration.

Vicsport also offer a help desk to assist all Victorian sporting organisations, from grassroots through to state sporting associations with any member protection related issues.

Contact Vicsport at admin@vicsport.com.au or via phone on 9698 8100.

Member Protection Information Officers

Member Protection Information Officers (MPIOs) play an important role in the sporting community. They provide information and guidance on complaints procedures. They are the first point of contact for anyone wanting to discuss an issue within a sport club, association or organisation.

Member Protection Information Officer Training

The Victorian Government offers free MPIO training twice a year each April and October. To enquire about MPIO training, email sportprograms@sport.vic.gov.au