Articles

Intersex people: not invisible in sport but inadvertently excluded

September 2018

There are many misconceptions and generalisations about intersex people in sport.  Often these are based on assumptions that intersex people are a homogeneous group, and an identity group, a sexual orientation or a gender identity. The reality is different, both more complex and more mundane. 

What is mediation?

October 2017

Mediation is also known as Alternative Dispute Resolution but may be otherwise described as a managed conversation. But what does it entail for your sports club or association? What's the role of the Board? Why and when to mediate?   

Keeping our most vulnerable children safe

November 2016

While some children are more vulnerable to abuse based on factors including age, gender, ethnicity, disability and prior abuse or neglect, some may also be more vulnerable because of situational factors...

Wise words shaping our club culture

October 2016

Every day in our sports clubs and organisations our words are shaping the reality of our club culture and of the individuals who take part in our activities. Often this has more significance than our clubs’ written words and codes of conduct.

Women on Board

October 2016

Next time you’re playing sport have a look around - how many women do you see? Do women hold leadership positions in your club or sport? Are there female coaches? Chances are women are well represented on the field, but what about the management committee or Board? 

Everyone matters! How design thinking and universal design principles could help us build better & more inclusive sport programs

August 2017

Inclusive design takes into account the broad range of diversity in our society such as age, gender, race, culture, language, socio economic background, ability, sexual orientation and other types of difference.

Out of hours player behaviour

August 2018

Sporting clubs and organisations should be conscious of putting safeguards in place so as to curb behaviour that could bring the sport and the club into disrepute in order to protect and preserve the image and reputation of stakeholders.

Supporting mental wellness

August 2016

There is a new phrase you are likely to hear more of around sports clubs in coming years — mental health literacy. It is the concept of increasing the ability of players, parents and coaches to recognise the signs of mental illness among people in their club, and to be able to initiate a conversation and point to resources that might help.

Member Protection and the importance of confidentiality

December 2018

Raising a member protection complaint can be daunting. Confidentiality helps build a relationship of trust and confidence, and can encourage members to have open conversations...

Coaching kids - making it mixed, fun and fair

February 2016

Junior sport should be all about fun, but it also offers a host of other opportunities for children to gain social skills, build self esteem, learn about fair play, meet people from different social and cultural backgrounds, and develop physical skills.

Do coaches need knowledge of impairment to coach people with disability?

July 2017

How much knowledge of impairment, if any, does a coach need to coach a person with a disability? In this article we discuss the issue to help shed some light on a question that's been debated for years.  

Safe Celebrations

July 2017

Everybody loves a club function. They’re a great chance to celebrate the club, get together with teammates and build comradery and team morale. The best celebrations are events where everyone feels safe and involved.