A child safe club.
Dudley Redhead United is committed to the NSW Child Safe Standards. As a junior club, the safety and wellbeing of children come first — in how we recruit and train volunteers, how we listen to kids and families, and how we respond if something isn't right.
Children come first.
We follow the ten NSW Child Safe Standards — embedding child safety in our leadership, culture and everyday decisions. Every coach, manager and committee member shares responsibility for keeping kids safe.
Checked, trained, supervised.
Volunteers in child-related roles hold a current Working With Children Check and play by our Code of Behaviour. We recruit, induct and supervise with child safety in mind, and review how we're tracking each season.
Concerns are taken seriously.
Children, families and volunteers can raise a concern and be heard — in confidence (see who to contact). If a child is in immediate danger, call 000. Serious concerns are reported to the NSW Office of the Children's Guardian and Police as required.
Aligned with the NSW Office of the Children's Guardian Child Safe Standards and Football Australia's National Member Protection Policy. The club's Child Safety Officer is Troy Conway (President) — the first point of contact for any child-safety concern.
Every volunteer is checked.
In NSW, anyone in a paid or volunteer child-related role must hold a valid Working With Children Check (WWCC), issued by the NSW Office of the Children's Guardian. At DRUFC that covers coaches, team managers and committee members in child-related roles.
Coaches, managers & officials.
Any adult in a child-related role at the club holds a current WWCC. The check screens national criminal records and findings of misconduct involving children, and is monitored for the life of the clearance.
Free for volunteers.
Volunteers apply online through Service NSW and verify their identity — it's free and valid for five years. Give your WWCC number to the club so we can verify it before the season starts.
Checked before the season.
The club verifies every WWCC number against the Office of the Children's Guardian register before clearing a volunteer for a child-related role, and re-checks each season.
Dudley Redhead United is affiliated with Northern NSW Football and follows Football Australia's National Member Protection Policy and child-safeguarding framework.
DRUFC Code of Behaviour.
For spectators, players, team and club officials. Anyone spectating, playing, or performing official duties for your team or DRUFC must adhere to the following Code of Behaviour.
- Respect Match Officials' decisions.
- Encourage — do not ridicule participants for making mistakes.
- Show respect for the rights, dignity and worth of every person regardless of their age, gender, gender identity and expression, sexual orientation, ability, race, colour, religion, language, politics, national or ethnic origin.
- Never use physical force (violence) in any form towards another person, including spectators, players or Match/Team Officials (including coaches).
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Do not engage in acts of discrimination, harassment or abuse towards any person, including:
- the use of obscene or offensive language and/or actions;
- the incitement of hatred or violence.
- Comply with all Terms of Admission, including provisions relating to security screening, intoxication, and items that are prohibited by law or restricted by policy from being brought into the venue.
- No throwing — missiles, projectiles or objects of any description at players, match officials or fellow spectators is not allowed under any circumstances.
Any person who does not comply with the DRUFC Code of Behaviour, or who otherwise causes a disturbance, may be evicted from the venue and may be banned from attending or playing in future matches.
Match day behaviour.
Northern NSW Football’s Disciplinary & Integrity Unit has asked every club to address a rising number of incidents of unacceptable behaviour at matches — from players, team officials and spectators alike. We’re sharing it here because it matters at Liles Oval too.
Lift the standard.
Across all competitions and levels there are too many incidents of inappropriate language and unnecessarily aggressive behaviour. Football should be an environment of sportsmanship, respect and inclusion — officials and parents setting the example.
Never at a child.
Of particular concern is adults behaving aggressively toward minors — Game Leaders, junior referees and players. We all make mistakes, and children most of all — that’s how they learn. Any aggression toward a child is totally unacceptable.
Duty Officers on patrol.
Duty Officers from both clubs actively patrol where spectators gather — simply being present and visible heads off most poor behaviour — and you’ll hear regular PA reminders of the Code of Behaviour and Zero Tolerance Policy.
Aggression toward a child at a match can attract suspensions of up to 12 months, and clubs can also be fined. Both the home and visiting clubs are responsible for making sure everyone at a match behaves.
Please remember.
- This is a game
- These are children — so relax and let them play
- Referees are human — mistakes will happen
- The coaches and managers are volunteers
This is not the A-League or the World Cup.
You have the right to feel safe.
If you’re worried, sad or angry — or a friend feels that way — it’s OK to tell us. The club will listen, believe and respond to any worry about your safety, whether in the real world or online.
Troy Conway
Child Safety Officer · President
The club’s internal reporting officer — your first point of contact for any child-safety worry, in confidence.
Kids Helpline
1800 55 1800
Free, private and confidential phone and online counselling for young people, 24 hours a day.
Police & Child Protection
000 · 132 111
Call 000 in an emergency, or the NSW Child Protection Helpline on 132 111. Report online abuse to the eSafety Commissioner.
If something's not right, tell us.
If you have a concern about the safety or wellbeing of a child at the club, contact the committee in confidence. If a child is in immediate danger, always call 000.