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ChildFund and Oceania Rugby Partner for Child Safety in Sport

February 28, 2020 

This week ChildFund Australia and Oceania Rugby announced a new partnership to strengthen safeguarding systems for young people participating in rugby activities in the Oceania region. The objective of the project is to ensure that children engaging in rugby will benefit from a safer environment both physically and emotionally. 

The project will involve creating and sustaining safe environments for children and addressing negative social norms to foster positive behaviours. 

The wellbeing of young people participating in sport has become an increasingly prominent concern among major sporting bodies, including the International Olympic Committee (IOC) which has recognized the risks of exploitation and abuse for children. 

Through its membership with World Rugby, Oceania Rugby is committed to ensuring rugby is a safe sport for all children taking part across the region.  

Its 'Child Safeguarding in Sport Project' was launched in December 2019, with ChildFund providing technical expertise, tools, training and support to Oceania Rugby to build child safeguarding systems in-line with international best practice. 

This year, Oceania Rugby will undertake a review of best practices and implementation of a regional framework. In addition, two member unions, Nauru Rugby Union and Samoa Rugby Union will launch workshops on child safeguarding this month. 

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The increased focus on child safeguarding among sporting bodies has led to the emergence of important new initiatives and policies. This includes the IOC Basic Universal Principles of Good Governance, which makes it compulsory for organizations that belong to the Olympic movement to adopt these principles, implement relevant measures and monitor compliance. 

The 'Child Safeguarding in Sport Project' builds on learning and resources developed through ChildFund Australia’s rugby for development program ChildFund Pass It Back

ChildFund is considered a pioneer organization in the development of the International Safeguards for Children in Sport and in 2017 was awarded the UNICEF Safeguarding Children in Sport Award at the Beyond Sport Global Awards in recognition of its work supporting partner sporting bodies. 

General Manager of Oceania Rugby, Bruce Cook said: “As the regional governing body of World Rugby, Oceania Rugby is committed to ensuring our game creates dynamic practices and environments where all boys and girls, men and women in our sport can thrive. The most fundamental element to a positive sports experience is being safe – physically, emotionally and socially,” 

ChildFund Pass It Back Director, Chris Mastaglio said, “We are very proud to be partnering with Oceania Rugby on this important initiative for children."

“Sport should always be a safe place for children to play, learn and grow, and Oceania Rugby’s commitment to ensuring their sport is safe at all levels is to be commended.” 

  

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