The New South Wales Government is taking crucial steps to ensure the safety of children in sport with a series of interactive workshops aimed at educating local sporting organisations on how to protect young participants from harm and abuse. 

These workshops, scheduled for the South Coast region next week, will provide valuable, practical information on the steps sports clubs can take to maintain a child-safe environment.

Organised in partnership between the NSW Office of Sport and the Office of the Children’s Guardian, the workshops will be held from March 16 to March 20, covering Batemans Bay, Moruya, Narooma, Pambula, and Bega. 

Matt Sibley, the Child Safe Officer for Sport from the Office of the Children’s Guardian, will lead the sessions, offering expert guidance and resources to attendees.

The workshops are designed to equip sporting clubs with the knowledge and tools to prevent child abuse in community sports settings. From identifying common risks to understanding how to create safer environments, the sessions aim to empower local organisations with simple, actionable steps to better protect children in their care.

Adam Berry, Acting Chief Executive of the Office of Sport, highlighted the importance of these initiatives, particularly in regional areas of NSW, where sport often plays a vital role in community cohesion. 

“Sport brings communities together, especially in regional NSW, and we want to ensure that everyone who participates is safe,” said Berry. 

“These workshops will be invaluable to sporting organisations, helping them to better identify and manage child safety risks and ensure that sport in the region is a positive experience for everyone.”

Representatives from South Coast sporting organisations are encouraged to attend and register for the workshops via the official website. For more information and to register for a workshop, visit the Child Safe Regional Workshops page.