A collection of resources providing practical advice to help community clubs address common issues in sport is fast becoming the most frequently accessed part of the popular Play by the Rules website — a joint initiative of the Australian Sports Commission, state and territory sport and recreation and anti-discrimination agencies, the Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission, and Queensland’s Commission for Children Young People and Child Guardian.

The Play by the Rules website’s ‘Got an Issue’ section is designed to provide practical and timely information about how to deal with issues that often occur in sport, such as angry parents and managing team selection. Since being first introduced in February this year, Got an Issue has grown to cover 17 sport issues. For each issue, the site provides information about legal requirements and practical suggestions on what to do, which are broken into sections based on each role performed by people in community sports clubs.

Play by the Rules national project officer Mary Duncan says the issues discussed on the website are ‘ingrained in the reality of life at clubs’.

‘Conflict is a part of life and sport is no exception. What we’re trying to say to clubs is that for many issues “don’t stick your head in the sand but have a go to try and sort things out”,’ Mary said.

‘This is important because we know that if conflicts are not addressed they are more likely to become formal complaints and, the longer they go on, the more difficult they are to resolve.

‘What we are trying to do is empower clubs to know where to look for the resources and to have a go at sorting out problems themselves before they become entrenched or linked to formal complaints.’

The Got an Issue section complements the free Play by the Rules online training courses, which focus on positive steps in managing risk around discrimination, harassment and child abuse, and in developing inclusive, safe and fair environments for participations.

The courses also provide information for individuals involved in community-level sport about their rights and responsibilities under equal opportunity, anti-discrimination and child protection legislation. Users completing the course and answering 75 per cent or more of the assessment questions correctly receive a certificate of recognition.

Socceroo Mark Schwarzer is just one of a number of elite sportspeople who champion the Play by the Rules online courses.

‘It’s worthwhile becoming familiar with what you need to do to keep your sport fair and fun for everyone,’ Schwarzer said. ‘Everyone has the right to enjoy their sport free from discrimination or harassment.’

Both the Got an Issue section and the online training courses are linked to ten problem-based interactive learning scenarios that take a user through situations that may occur in grassroots sport.

‘The online learning scenarios in particular extend the Got an Issue topics. These scenarios not only help dispel myths but they are “ah ha moments” for people, in helping them consider that when they’re confronted with a problem, how they might respond,’ Mary Duncan said.

‘The big plus is that people going through these scenarios receive feedback and pointers to resources as they go along.’