Toowong Football Club’s main purpose has always been to provide a place where people of all ages and abilities can play and enjoy football. With so many children and young people involved at our Club (playing, volunteering, coaching and refereeing), child safety considerations are central to who we are and how we operate.

Child Safe Standards and what they mean for our Club

The new Queensland Child Safe Standards set clear expectations for organisations like ours. For Toowong FC, this means:

• Creating a child‑safe culture, led by our volunteer committee, coaches and coordinators
• Clearly defining acceptable behaviour for coaches, officials, players, parents and volunteers
• Ensuring the safe recruitment and screening of anyone working with children
• Supporting volunteers so they understand their safeguarding responsibilities
• Actively identifying and managing risks, including at training and games
• Providing clear ways to raise concerns and responding appropriately when issues arise

How the Safeguarding Policy supports Toowong FC

Football Australia’s Safeguarding Policy, part of the Member Protection Framework, gives clubs practical tools to meet these standards. By following this policy, Toowong FC:

• Requires Blue Cards for all volunteers over 18
• Uses codes of conduct that set clear expectations for behaviour
• Provides clear reporting pathways for concerns or complaints
• Focuses on the best interests and wellbeing of players first, always

These measures help protect our Miniroos, Juniors and youth players, and also protect our volunteers by giving them clear guidance on what is appropriate and expected.

Safeguarding at Toowong FC is everyone’s responsibility.

All members are encouraged to review Football Australia’s Safeguarding Policy, in particular the section on Child Safe Practices, which outline practical considerations and expected behaviours when interacting with children.

Any concerns or complaints should always be raised promptly. If something doesn’t feel right, report it. See our Codes of Conducts, Polices and Club Governance page for more details on how we handle these matters.