Hamersley LAC and it’s affiliated clubs are committed to the safety and wellbeing of all children and young people participating in our sport. As an affiliate of Athletics West, we are required to comply with and abide by the Athletics Australia and Little Athletics Australia National Child Protection Policy.
We support the rights of children and will act without hesitation to ensure a child safe environment is maintained at all times. We also support the rights and wellbeing of our committee and volunteers and encourage their active participation in building and maintaining a secure environment for all participants.
It is a legislative requirement of the State Government of WA for Hamersley LAC and our affiliated clubs to comply with the requirements of the Working With Children (WWC) Card, ensuring all coaches, officials and club administrators who engage in regular child-related work (paid or unpaid), must have a valid Working With Children’s Card. Child related work includes coaching, volunteering and supporting sport related events and clubs, coaching and education tuition where U18’s are present. This includes all club office bearers.
Categories of people requiring a WWC Card include:
- Coach that regularly coaches anyone under the age of 18
- Officials that regularly officiate at competitions where there are U18’s
- Administrators such as Club committee members that have registered members U18.
Exemptions:
There are exemptions that apply to the following categories, where a WWC card is not required:
- Parent exemption – Where the parent ( coach or administrator / committee member) of a registered member who is under 18 years of age is engaged in regular child related work (paid or unpaid). In this instance, the parent will not be eligible to apply for a WWC Check. If the child is no longer involved in the program/event/club, a card must be obtained.
- 5 day Threshold – adults that simply support on a one off occasion (assist at a competition on the day with no prior planning) do not require a WWC. The adult has 5 days per year where they are able to assist ad hoc, however not 5 days in a row. Note also that the 5 days is across all volunteering activities and is not exclusive to any one activity.
The WWC Card is a process to support both minors and the coach/official/administrator. In the unlikely event of a child safeguarding matter arising, a valid Working With Children Card ensures that all process have been put in place to support all members of the athletics community. All Athletics West affiliated Clubs and Centres must ensure that their club members who require a valid WWC have one. Anyone wishing to coach or officiate at any Athletics West sanctioned event or Club/Centre run programs will be required to hold a valid card, not doing so may result in being unable to carry out your chosen role.
Read more: https://www.workingwithchildren.wa.gov.au/.
For more information contact admin@hamersleyathletics.com.au.
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