Sport

World Athletics

• Safe Sport, opens in a new tab, (accessed 4 March 2026). Provides access to guidance and template documents, such as a safeguarding policy and rules, codes of conduct, flowcharts and reporting forms for Member Federations, 'How to create a safeguarding policy' video, and more, including multiple languages for most resources.
• World Athletics publishes findings of study into online abuse of athletes covering Paris Olympic Games, opens in a new tab, (1 November 2024). Fourth major study into online abuse raises concerns over continued levels of abuse of a racist or sexual nature. Key findings: Racism and sexualised abuse continue to be used to target athletes, making up more than 48% of the results; 809 total posts were verified as abusive, with 128 posts and comments (16%) escalated to the relevant platform for additional action; 1,917 athletes with at least one active account were monitored for online abuse during the Paris Games across four social media platforms – 12 times the size sampled during the Tokyo Olympics.

Australian Football League (AFL)

• Safeguarding Children & Young People, opens in a new tab, (accessed 4 March 2026). All children and young people who participate in footy have the right to be safe, feel safe and play safe. Includes resources and information for Coaches, coordinators and clubs; Parents, carers and guardians; and how to make a report about integrity concerns.

Basketball Australia

• Mental Health in Sport E-learning course, opens in a new tab, Basketball Australia and the Australian Institute of Sport, (2025). interactive program aims to build awareness, reduce stigma, and support athletes and staff across high-performance environments.

Cricket Australia

• Safeguarding children and young people, opens in a new tab, (accessed 2 March 2026). Provides a suite of resources – including policies, guides, toolkits, templates, and e-learning modules – created for community cricket clubs and associations to develop and promote their commitment to child safety. These resources are meant to help embed a culture of child safe practices and behaviours in clubs.

Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI)

• Safeguarding, opens in a new tab, (accessed 4 March 2026). It is essential that each member of the cycling family feel respected throughout their career as an athlete or their professional activity. The UCI is committed to its aim of keeping cycling safe for all, and providing a respectful and equitable environment, free from all forms of harassment and other abuse. Section provides information on UCI Safeguarding Policy, Toolkit, Code of Ethics, and more.

Australian Fencing Federation

• Child Protection Agreement for Coaches, opens in a new tab, (2023). In November 2023, the AFF introduced a new coach development and accreditation pathway that included a requirement to sign an agreement outlining requirements and conditions that coaches will follow to ensure the safety of a young people (under 18 years of age).

Professional Footballers Association (PFA)

The PFA, opens in a new tab are the exclusive representative body and collective bargaining agent of Australia’s elite professional footballers, including the Socceroos and the Matildas, those players in the A-League Men and A-League Women, as well as emerging talents playing in Australia and throughout the world.

Programs

• Safe Football Project, opens in a new tab, (August 2023). The Project aims to establish professional football as Australia’s safest sport for women by providing a platform to better identify, address, and remedy incidents and risks of abuse and harassment.
  • Safe Football Project 2024 Snapshot Report, opens in a new tab, (2024). This snap report provides a preliminary overview of the key areas of the Project, its purpose, and the areas where the PFA has developed its capacity to respond to abuse in football.

Union of European Football Associations (UEFA)

Policies

• Our approach, opens in a new tab, (accessed 26 February 2026). To reach the target of eradicating any risk of child abuse in European football, UEFA work with every stakeholder in the game, starting with our 55 member associations.
  • By the end of 2025, each association was expected to: implement their own child and youth protection policy as well as dedicated protocols for youth tournaments and major events; and appoint a dedicated child and youth protection officer responsible for minimising risk across the game and responding to all forms of harm. These minimum requirements are also required of organisations applying to access UEFA funding and competitions.

Tools

• Child & youth protection resources, opens in a new tab, (accessed 26 February 2026). To support UEFA's mission, they have developed a range of learning resources and practical guidelines for anyone working with children and young people across football – from administrators to grassroots coaches. Materials are needs-based and aligned with international standards. Resources include:
  • Online courses, available in multiple European languages
  • Event guidelines to provide best practice guidance for organisers on how to safeguard children and young people
  • Toolkit offering useful information on a range of child and youth protection topics, such as communication and policy development.

SAFER Project (2023-2025)

SAFER, opens in a new tab (Support and Awareness for Female Fans in European Football Through Research, Prevention, and Remedy), an Erasmus+ project led by Football Supporters Europe, sees supporters and a cross section of experts and football stakeholders working together to tackle gender-based violence and discrimination in the game by establishing prevention and remedy mechanisms for football fans and other match attendees.

• SAFER (Support & Awareness for Female fans in European football through Research, prevention, and remedy) - A Handbook on Project Outcomes and Good Practice Recommendations, opens in a new tab, Football Supporters Europe, (2025). This report delineates the findings of the SAFER project, the first systematic, mixed-methods investigation into GBV within European football fandom. The research integrates quantitative data from 884 survey respondents across nine countries with qualitative insights from in-depth interviews with fans and experts. The objective is to move beyond mere quantification to elucidate the mechanisms and experiences of violence, thereby providing an evidence base for the development of effective preventative and remedial interventions.

Gymnastics Australia

• Gymnastics Australia announces plans to implement a Restorative Engagement Scheme, opens in a new tab, (17 December 2021). Following the release of the Change the Routine Report in May 2021, Gymnastics Australia made a formal acknowledgement and unreserved apology to all athletes and family members who had experienced any form of abuse while participating in the sport. But for many people, Gymnastics Australia acknowledges that this is not enough. Drawing on best practice experience for restorative engagement, the Scheme will provide a forum where individuals can be heard, acknowledged, and provided with a personal apology.

Independent Review into the Western Australian Institute of Sport (WAIS) Women’s Artistic Gymnastics Program (2022)

Sport Integrity Australia commenced, opens in a new tab the Review in 2021 at the request of WAIS and the Gymnast Alliance Australia (GAA). The final report was published in April 2022.

Western Australian Institute of Sport Women’s Artistic Gymnastics Program Review, opens in a new tab, Sport Integrity Australia, (2022). Based on the information and material collected during the Review, Sport Integrity Australia found it was reasonably likely that some gymnasts suffered abuse and/or harm while participating in the Program at WAIS. This includes things such as verbal and physical abuse, unnecessary skinfold testing, weight-shaming, the expectation to train and compete with injuries, and extreme training loads. The Review also found that the policies and procedures that governed the Program did not adequately protect some of the gymnasts. In its findings, the Review made 4 recommendations.

Independent Review of Gymnastics in Australia (2021)

Gymnastics Australia engaged the AHRC in August 2020 to conduct an independent review of culture and practice at all levels of the sport of gymnastics in Australia following the release of the documentary ‘Athlete A’. The documentary sparked a global sharing of experiences of abuse in the sport, via social media, with several former athletes and parents of former athletes coming forward in Australia. The final report and recommendations were released in May 2021.

Change the Routine: Report on the Independent Review into Gymnastics Australia (2021), opens in a new tab, Australian Human Rights Commission, (May 2021). The Commission has made five overarching key findings and 12 recommendations.

• Gymnastics Australia statement, opens in a new tab Gymnastics Australia, (3 May 2021). The Australian Human Rights Commission has today [Monday] published their report following their independent review of the culture and practices of gymnastics in Australia. Gymnastics Australia commissioned the independent review in August 2020 in response to reports from the gymnastics community of unacceptable personal experiences.

World Gymnastics

• Safeguarding, opens in a new tab, (accessed 26 February 2026). World Gymnastics has implemented measures to prevent and respond to incidents of non-accidental violence, harassment and abuse. It is the responsibility of each national federation to adopt and implement such policies and procedures to protect their athletes and other participants in gymnastics. They must demonstrate strong leadership by identifying and eradicating unacceptable practices. Access a Resource Centre, The Golden Rules, and links to Safeguarding policies and frameworks.

Gymnastics Ethics Foundation

The Gymnastics Ethics Foundation (GEF), opens in a new tab was founded in January 2019 by the Fédération Internationale de Gymnastique (FIG - now World Gymnastics), the world governing body for the sport of gymnastics. It now operates independently to ensure that violations of FIG rules, policies, and procedures, including ethical breaches, are handled in an unbiased way. GEF oversees evaluating reports of abuse, as well as disciplinary findings (in the event that a report is found accurate), and compliance of World Gymnastics and other recognised gymnastics bodies with the relevant policies and requirements.

Hockey Australia

• Safe Hockey, opens in a new tab, (accessed 3 March 2026). Hockey Australia is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people in hockey by providing safe and inclusive environments and ensuring that everyone involved in hockey is proportionately educated and informed of their responsibilities to protect and look after children and young people.

Motorsport Australia

• Shaping the future of child safety in motorsport, opens in a new tab, (18 November 2025). The Australian Institute for Motorsport Safety (AIMSS) has recently launched its new research study Child Safety in Motorsport as part of a national initiative designed to capture the experiences and insights of parents, young competitors, and the wider motorsport community. The survey closed on 17 January 2026.
• Motorsport Australia signs United Against Online Abuse Charter, opens in a new tab, (18 April 2024). The FIA-led initiative United Against Online Abuse has confirmed that the Australian Government and Motorsport Australia has now signed the UAOA charter. By signing the charter, the Government expresses their commitment to upholding and promoting best practice in relation to the prevention and removal of hate speech, and to supporting dialogue, research and collaboration around the subject.

Royal Life Saving Australia

• Professional Development: Child Safety, opens in a new tab, (accessed 26 February 2026). Royal Life Saving has developed 2 modules here. The first is aimed at frontline staff, e.g. swim teachers and lifegaurds, the second builds on this content and is designed for management. The chief purpose of both modules is to assist the aquatic industry, and its workforce, to develop a clear understanding of the expectations, legal requirements and best practices related to ensuring children are safe from harm and abuse and that aquatic facilities/organisations create a positive, child-friendly culture and environment.

National Rugby League (NRL)

• Safety, opens in a new tab, (accessed 4 March 2026). Ensuring kids are active in a fun, safe and inclusive environment. Information on various topics including child safety, child safeguarding, state specific policy and information, and reporting incidents.
• Safeplay Code, opens in a new tab, (accessed 4 March 2026). Developed to emphasise safety and good conduct within the game of Rugby League by creating the best possible on-field environment and actively controlling undesirable actions. It applies to all players up to and including the Under 15 years age group.

Rugby League Players Association (RLPA)

• The Players' Pulse: The RLPA's Annual Player Survey & Findings Report, opens in a new tab, (2025). Over 800 NRL and NRLW players completed the RLPA’s annual member survey during the 2025 seasons. The Players’ Pulse survey involved over 100 questions on a range of topics from workplace environments and sponsorship deals to social media and racism. Some key findings relating to experiences of abuse and harm from athlete respondents included:
  • 13% of men's and 9% of women's players experienced targeted abuse; with 7% of men's and 5% of women's experienced racism.
  • The primary channel where abuse occurred was social media, over 80% for both men and women. For male players 63% also experienced abuse from fans at games, but this was significantly lower for female players (9%).
  • 38% of male players, and 28% of female felt pressured to continue to train with concussion symptoms.
  • In 2025, both competitions recorded a C rating for psychological safety, cultural safety was rated around a C level for the NRLW and B for NRL. While this indicates that most players do feel generally safe in their environments, it also means that fewer than 75% feel this support at a consistently high level.

Rugby Australia

• Safety and Welfare, opens in a new tab, (accessed 4 March 2026). To achieve Rugby Australia's Vision, Rugby must be as safe, inclusive and fair as possible. Rugby Australia has several policies and initiatives aimed at ensuring that Rugby is safe to play and is enjoyable for all participants.
• Child and young person safeguarding, opens in a new tab, (accessed 4 March 2026). Rugby Australia is committed to ensuring that rugby is a safe environment for children and young people.
• Social Protect, opens in a new tab, (accessed 4 March 2026). Rugby Australia is proud to partner with Social Protect in helping to create safe, respectful online environments for all members of the Australian rugby community. Social Protect is a purpose-built mobile app that uses AI technology to detect and delete abusive comments in real time, before they go public. All members of the Australian rugby community including players, coaches, match officials, volunteers, administrators, clubs and associations, have free access to the Social Protect app.

World Rugby

• Safeguarding, opens in a new tab, (accessed 4 March 2026). Every member of the rugby community has a right to respect, safety and protection. This right extends to all, including players, coaches, officials, staff or volunteers. All forms of harassment and abuse are prohibited by World Rugby’s Code of Conduct and Integrity Code.

England Rugby

• Safeguarding hub, opens in a new tab, (accessed 26 February 2026). Includes a number of resources and information for safeguarding children, adults, courses, recruitment, club safeguarding officers, information for parents and volunteers, and how to report concerns.

Surf Life Saving Australia (SLSA)

• Child Safe, opens in a new tab, (accessed 5 March 2026). SLSA takes seriously its responsibility to deliver a safe, fair and inclusive environment for Children & Young People involved in Surf Life Saving. The Child Safe Program builds the capacity of SLS to protect our children and young people by providing resources and education to support clubs to provide a safe environment for all members. Section provides information on SLSA's policies, guidelines, reporting, and education.
• Surf Life Saving Australia - Recommendations for the Safeguarding of Children and Young People, opens in a new tab, Australian Childhood Foundation, (February 2016). The premise for ACF’s engagement with SLSA has been founded on recent national exploration into the impact of child abuse. The report made 15 key recommendations with associated actions and priority time frames for each.

Swimming Australia

• National Redress Scheme Statement, opens in a new tab (accessed 3 March 2026). Swimming Australia has commenced the onboarding process for the National Redress Scheme with the Department of Social Services (DSS) and communicated our intent to join the scheme.
• Body Empowerment, opens in a new tab, (accessed 3 March 2026). Everyone has an important role in supporting swimmers to feel empowered in their bodies, not only on pool deck, but also in everyday life. Together, we can recognise and understand the ways in which swimmers can be supported to feel good in their bodies, and ways to help make swimming a safer sport for everyone, in every body.

Volleyball Australia

• Independent Review into Australian Volleyball, opens in a new tab, (2020-2022). In October 2020, several elite Volleyball Players assisted by the Australian Athletes Alliance (AAA) and Volleyball Australia (VA) commissioned Sport Integrity Australia to conduct an independent review of the culture of Volleyball between 1997 and 2005. The material underpinning the Review was collected between April – November 2021 with 27 participants interviewed, 16 written submissions received, and documentary material provided. A draft final report was provided to the parties in February 2022 for review and comment. Based on the information and insights gleaned from this Review, Sport Integrity Australia provided a number of recommendations to address systemic issues that contributed to the poor culture of the Program between 1997-2005. These recommendations aim to provide a safe environment for current and future volleyball athletes, free from abuse and harmful practises.