Safe Sport Day 2024
Sport for development programs across seven Pacific Islands, supported by the Australian Government, came together on Safe Sport Day to reinforce the importance of safeguarding in sports
On 8 August 2024, we came together to observe the annual Safe Sport Day - a day dedicated to reinforcing the importance of safeguarding in sport. Safeguarding is key to making sure that sports are not just fun but also safe and meaningful for everyone involved.
In 2023, a significant milestone was achieved when staff across our sport for development programs completed a comprehensive training in safeguarding. As a result, these safeguarding champions supported over 34,400 primary school-aged children last year, ensuring their weekly participation activities took place in an environment with safeguarding measures to prevent abuse and minimise the risk of harm for girls, boys, and children with a disability. The commitment to being safe from harm and abuse in sport is a responsibility that we all share. Safeguarding is a critical element in this collective effort.
Team Up's GEDSI and Safeguarding Advisor, Roshika Deo, emphasised the importance of this work. "Team Up works closely with sports organisations and partners to strengthen capacity in gender and safeguarding, to ensure they are equipped with the skills and knowledge to prevent and respond to abuse in sports. Team Up through the ‘Regional Safeguarding in Sports Community of Practice’ connects sports organisations, National Olympic Committees and service providers to share best practices and lessons learnt in prevention of abuse. Through this space, stakeholders reflect on their safeguarding work and commit to working collectively to strengthen safeguarding in sports, so children and young people’s experience of sport are safe, inclusive and fun."
As our programs expand, so do these training initiatives, reaching more staff, volunteers, and coaches, ensuring that everyone becomes part of Team Safe Sport.
Throughout this year's Safe Sport Day week, Team Up together with the relevant Australian High Commissions across the Pacific took the opportunity to recognise and thank the safeguarding champions within these programs who are working tirelessly to keep sports safe for all.