The Port Adelaide Football Club players and staff have recently completed a Child Safe Officers Course which focuses on a child’s wellbeing within the community.

This training was identified as a requirement after a recent child protection policy was created by the club.

The aim of this training is to ensure that clubs and individuals create an awareness of child safe environments and impress upon the sporting industry that it is everyone’s responsibility to care for children.

The full playing group along with staff completed the course which was facilitated by Mike Fennwick, from Alpha Facilitation and Learning. Mike was “extremely impressed” with the team. “For a young playing group, I found some very senior wisdom,” he said. “After a hard training session in the heat, it was great to see the guys absorb the information and understand the importance of looking after kids.”

Jane Bartlett, from the Office for Recreation and Sport stated “There was no requirement to complete the course so the fact that the Port Adelaide Football Club club chose to take part really shows initiative.”

To date, the club is the most high profile group to have completed the course. However, it is hoped that other well-known clubs and organisations will recognise the course’s relevance and benefit to the community and follow suit.

The course has equipped the Power players with the relevant information they need to deliver community programs for Power Community Ltd, the community development arm of Port Adelaide Football Club.

If you or a member of your organisation would like to take part in an ORS Child Safe Officer course, visit www.recsport.sa.gov.au or contact Jane Bartlett:
Ph: 7424 7622
E: jane.bartlett@sa.gov.au