Keeping our Children Safe:
Children Protection at AOFC.
At Adelaide Olympic Football Club (AOFC), the safety and wellbeing of all children is our top priority. We are committed to creating a welcoming and supportive environment where all young players feel valued, respected, and empowered to reach their full potential, both on and off the field.
We recognise that children can be vulnerable to physical, sexual, emotional, and psychological harm, and we take our responsibility to protect them with the utmost seriousness. At Adelaide Olympic Football Club (AOFC), the safety, wellbeing, and dignity of every child in our care is our highest priority, and we are committed to creating an environment where children feel safe, supported, and empowered to participate fully in our sport.
AOFC works closely with Football South Australia (Football SA) and Football Australia (FFA) to uphold the highest standards of child safety, embedding best-practice policies, procedures, and behaviours across all aspects of our club. We ensure that our practices align fully with the Football Australia Membership Protection Policy (MPP) and Football SA’s Child Safe Environment Requirements. These frameworks provide clear guidance on how to safeguard children from harm, promote their wellbeing, and support their participation in a safe, inclusive, and respectful environment.
Protecting children is not the responsibility of one individual or department—it is the responsibility of everyone involved with the club. Coaches, volunteers, staff, committee members, parents, players, and supporters all have a duty to act in the best interests of children, to model positive behaviour, and to immediately report any concerns regarding a child’s safety or wellbeing.
At AOFC, we are dedicated to fostering a culture of vigilance, accountability, and proactive care. This means not only responding promptly to any concerns or allegations, but also actively working to prevent harm through education, supervision, and strong governance practices. We strive to ensure that every child who steps onto our fields, participates in our programs, or engages with our club can do so in a safe, nurturing, and empowering environment.
Our commitment extends beyond compliance; it is a fundamental part of our club’s identity and values. We are continually reviewing and improving our child protection measures, engaging with experts, and ensuring that all staff, volunteers, and members are equipped with the knowledge, training, and support necessary to uphold the highest standards of child safety. Every decision we make, every policy we implement, and every action we take is guided by the principle that the safety, dignity, and wellbeing of children must always come first.
At Adelaide Olympic Football Club (AOFC), we value and respect the voices of all children and young people who participate in our club. We listen carefully and take seriously any concerns raised by children, young people, or their families.
We educate children on how to recognise and respond if they feel unsafe, and we ensure that children and their families are aware of their rights and the complaint procedures available to them.
We celebrate diversity and are committed to providing an environment free from discrimination in all forms.
Our Child Safety Officer is available to receive feedback from all stakeholders, while children are also encouraged to speak openly with coaches, committee members, or other trusted adults at any time for support.
Respecting and Empowering Children
Our Child Safety Officers
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Tania McPherson
0431 133 891
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Natalie O’Beirne
0434 783 933
Child Safety –
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
At Adelaide Olympic Football Club (AOFC), the safety, well-being, and development of our young players is our absolute top priority. We are dedicated to creating a positive, supportive, and inclusive environment where every child can learn, play, and grow with confidence, while enjoying the many benefits of football. We believe that a safe and nurturing environment is essential not only for skill development but also for fostering teamwork, resilience, and a lifelong love of the game.
This FAQ section has been created to help parents, guardians, carers, and community members better understand our approach to child safety. It provides clear information about the policies, procedures, and practices we have in place to protect children from harm, promote positive experiences, and ensure their voices are heard. The questions and answers are designed to outline the responsibilities of the club, the role of staff and volunteers, and how families can contribute to maintaining a safe, welcoming, and inclusive environment for all players.
By sharing this information, AOFC aims to build trust and transparency with our community and to ensure that everyone involved in the club understands how together we can provide a safe and positive experience for every young player.
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AOFC is committed to providing a safe, supportive and inclusive environment for all children and young people. We follow Football Australia’s Membership Protection Policy and Football South Australia’s Child Safe Environment Requirements to ensure every child is treated with dignity, respect and care.
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Everyone. Coaches, volunteers, committee members, parents and players all share the responsibility of keeping children safe. AOFC also has an appointed Child Safety Officer who leads child safety initiatives and responds to concerns.
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Your first point of contact is the AOFC Child Safety Officer. You can also speak to any coach or committee member you feel comfortable approaching.
If you believe a child is at immediate risk, call 000. -
If you have a reasonable suspicion of abuse or neglect, you must contact the Child Abuse Report Line (CARL) – 13 14 78 as soon as possible.
Coaches and volunteers must also report concerns to the Child Safety Officer or an AOFC committee member. -
External authorities (such as CARL or SAPOL) will assess your report.
AOFC may take internal actions such as:implementing protective measures
suspending or removing a member, volunteer or coach if required
providing support to the child and their family
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Yes. Children are encouraged to speak to the Child Safety Officer, their coach, or any committee member they trust. We promote open communication and want children to feel safe asking for help.
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We proactively identify and review risks across all club environments. We regularly evaluate physical spaces, training areas, volunteer involvement and club activities to minimise or eliminate hazards.
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All coaches, managers and volunteers who work with children must hold:
a valid Working With Children Check (WWCC)
relevant child safety or member protection training as required by Football SA
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We may provide referrals to counselling or support services, ensure access to helpful information (such as Kids Helpline), and monitor the child’s wellbeing in partnership with families and authorities.
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Parents can support child safety by:
encouraging open communication with their children
reporting concerns early
modelling respectful behaviour
familiarising themselves with AOFC’s Child Protection Policy
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Yes. AOFC has a comprehensive Child Protection Policy endorsed by the President and reviewed regularly. It outlines reporting procedures, risk management strategies, and our commitment to child safety.
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Useful resources include:
Kids Helpline – 1800 55 1800
Child Abuse Report Line – 13 14 78
Our AOFC Child Safe
Policies and Procedures
At Adelaide Olympic Football Club (AOFC), keeping our kids safe is our number one priority. We want every child who plays with us to feel supported, respected, and confident—both on and off the field.
Our Child Safe Policies are here to make sure everyone knows how to create a safe, welcoming environment. They guide our coaches, staff, volunteers, and families on how to protect children, respond to concerns, and encourage positive, fun, and inclusive experiences.
We take these responsibilities seriously, from the way we recruit and train our team to how we supervise players and respond to any issues. By following these policies, we’re making sure every child can enjoy football while growing their skills, confidence, and love for the game.
We encourage all parents, guardians, and carers to read and understand our policies—and to work with us in keeping AOFC a safe, friendly, and inclusive place for every young player.