MoU announcement between eSafety and Play by the Rules

September 2023

eSafety and Play by the Rules partnership promotes safe, fair and inclusive sport

Play by the Rules and Australia’s eSafety Commissioner have signed a new agreement to improve online safety in sport and raise awareness around the steps we can all take to #PlayItFairOnline.

The Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) strengthens Play by the Rules’ ongoing partnership with eSafety, supporting their work together to provide timely support and advice to help keep all Australians – from grassroots to professional athletes, staff and officials – safe online.

The MOU commits Play by the Rules to continuing to promote online safety through its channels and staying up to date with latest developments in the industry, and eSafety, among other things, to provide best-practice approaches to keeping people safe online.

Acting eSafety Commissioner Toby Dagg and Play by the Rules Co-chair Dr Paul Oliver both recognise that strong partnerships and collaboration are crucial if we’re to change the online world for the better.

eSafety is Australia’s independent regulator for online safety, working to help safeguard all Australians from online harms and to promote safer, more positive online experiences.

“Strengthening our relationship with Play by the Rules is an important milestone in our mission to help support and educate sporting organisations and athletes – from community sport to the elite,” Mr Dagg said.

“With a collective potential reach of millions of sport-loving Australians, we’re delighted to join Play by the Rules, bringing us together to take a stand against online abuse, hate speech and personal attacks in sport. Together, we’re saying ‘enough is enough’.

“Visit eSafety.gov.au for advice and to report serious online abuse.”

Play by the Rules is a partnership between over 20 organisations, providing a unique collaboration between Sport Integrity Australia, the Australian Sports Commission, the Australian Human Rights Commission, all state and territory departments of sport and recreation, all state and territory anti-discrimination and human rights agencies, the Office of the Children's Guardian (NSW), the Anti-Discrimination Board of NSW and now eSafety. These partners promote Play by the Rules through their networks, along with their own child safety, anti-discrimination and inclusion to promote safe, fair, and inclusive sport.

“Play by the Rules is the perfect example of collective impact in action as our different organisations work together to positively change behaviours and enhance sporting environments to be safer, fairer, and more inclusive,” Play by the Rules Co-Chair Dr Paul Oliver said.

"The eSafety Commissioner plays a critical role in this, and we value our continued partnership to address online safety issues. We are committed to keeping the sporting community safe, both offline and online.

“As the digital world continues to evolve and sporting communities engage more in an online world it’s important we work together to enjoy the benefits modern technology provides us while making sure we all play it safe and fair online.”