HEALTHY CLUBS, HEALTHY INDIVIDUALS Graeme Pratt – AFL Victoria Development Manager

WELCOMING AND INCLUSIVE CLUBS 1. Coach Responsibilities 2. Fair Game – Respect Matters 3. Inclusive Coaching 4. Social and Recreational Drugs 5. Nutrition and Diet 6. Safety Tips 7. Bouncing Racism Out Of Sport 8. Working With Parents

COACH RESPONSIBILITIES Treat everyone equally with respect Conduct a Bouncing Racism Out Of Sport program Understand and abide by your club policies Provide opportunities for those not making the team Welcome and include new members Show your appreciation of club volunteers Control your temper Remember you are a role model for players

FAIR GAME – RESPECT MATTERS AFL Victoria has a clear position on community an social responsibility and has publicly committed to preventing violence against women FGRM utilizes the “Respect and Responsibility” principles and is concerned with creating a safe and inclusive environment for women and girls at all clubs Changes can be made in club policies, ethos, environments, communication and values For further information contact Katrina O’Donnell on or

INCLUSIVE COACHING Inclusive coaching is not just about disability, female, multicultural or indigenous, it is about the coach offering a program and experiences that meet the individual needs of every player This principle is the same regardless of whether the player has a specific impairment, has a medical condition, or if they are simply developing their skills and fitness at a different rate to others in the group Qualities of an inclusive coach are: patience, respect, adaptability, organisation, safe practices and knowledge

SOCIAL AND RECREATIONAL DRUGS Coaches has a significant impact on their junior and adolescent players in their capacity as role models Discussing the effects of smoking, alcohol and other drugs on sport performance can be a good deterrent for young sports people The Good Sports Accreditation Program (GSAP) is a national sports development initiative of the Australian Drug Foundation (ADF) to assist community sporting groups create a responsible club culture For further details visit

NUTRITION AND DIET Implement a healthy catering policy Display healthy choices & display with signage Ensure healthy food choices are available at club activities & competitively priced Provide fact sheets on healthy eating to clubs & players Place healthy eating messages in newsletters & display promotion posters around clubs Develop a section of the club website specific to healthy eating information

SAFETY TIPS Adequate physical pre season training & warm up and cool down before and after matches Drink enough fluid during sport to enable appropriate hydration, this includes before, during & after the activity Wear the correct equipment to prevent injury through collisions Have injuries correctly treated & managed. Seek medical attention immediately to prevent further damage For further information contact Smartplay on or

BOUNCING RACISM OUT OF SPORT The program has been produced to create community club environments conducive to increased involvement from individuals & families from diverse & cultural backgrounds A guidelines booklet, video & policies statement is issued to clubs Benefits for the club introducing the program include; expanding participation & support, Presenting a positive image to the community, minimising risk exposure to the potential negative impact of unlawful conduct For more details visit

WORKING WITH PARENTS The role of the coach is to help parents connect with their children and assisting effectively in their child's physical and social development Parents influence has a strong bearing on a child’s participation therefore there opinions will effect willingness to continue Plan a parent meeting for the club before season commences Keep parents informed as it gives them a sense of belonging & increases adhesion e.g. team newsletter Set clear guidelines that all children & parents are aware of as a consequence of their children’s actions