Rules, regulations and rights

Sport rules and regulations

To find out what rules and regulations govern your sport:

• contact the state sport organisation for your sport
• read about the international and national rules of specific sports on the Australian Sports Commission's website.

Behaviour in sport

• The Positive or it’s Pointless campaign promotes good player, spectator and parent behaviour to make sport safe for children.
• Play by the rules helps sport clubs, players and parents deal with unlawful or inappropriate behaviour like abuse, harassment, unfair treatment, child protection issues, inappropriate touching of athletes and discrimination.
  • Got an issue? Find out how to get help.
  • If you run a club, a club toolkit can help you put basic policies and guidelines in place such as a Member Protection Policy for your members.
• The Aussie sport codes of behaviour helps those involved in junior sport understand fair play and appropriate behaviour.

Are you a victim of abuse or bullying?

• Read information about abuse and bullying for players, coaches, parents and administrators.
• Learn how to report abuse.
• Get support for children and young people experiencing bullying.
• Visit the Anti-Discrimination Commission website. They deal with discrimination complaints in Queensland. Their information brochures explain types of unfair treatment and the complaints process.
• View the code of behaviour for coaches on the Australian Sports Commission’s website.  
• Call Kids Helpline (24-hour, 7-days-a-week counselling service for kids) on 1800 55 1800 at any time for any reason. 

Safety standards at sport clubs and recreation areas

Each sport or recreational activity has its own risks. Whether you are an activity organiser or participant, know the safety standards for your activity so that everyone can have fun.

Outdoor safety

• Recreational safety, including safety in parks, forests and on the water.
• Sun safety and skin cancer prevention advice when playing or watching sport outdoors.

Food and drink

• Food safety for not-for-profit organisations—find out about your food safety obligations.
• Food safety matters—information on how to handle food safely.
• Food safety tips for consumers from Safe Food Queensland.
• Food safety guidelines.
• Serving alcohol?
  • Find out what liquor licensing your club needs.
  • Read about responsible service of alcohol training for those serving alcohol at licensed venues.
  • Read about safety in licensed venues and reducing alcohol-related problems to boost club membership.

Children and sport

• You will need a blue card if you're working with kids.
• Having a junior sport policy in place can help everyone understand your club’s safety guidelines.
• The 'Joining a club checklist' can help you choose a club that’s suitable for your child by considering safety and other matters.
• The Safety Guidelines for Children and Young People in Sport and Recreation will help you create a positive and safe environment for those involved in junior sport.

Drugs and anti-doping

• Read about the harmful effects of drugs, alcohol and smoking.
• Visit the CleanEdge website for anti-doping and body image information for all sport and recreation participants.
• Find out about the fight against doping in Australian sport—supported by the Australian Sports Commission (ASC).

Immunisation

If you are involved in a sport or recreational activity that requires physical contact (such as wrestling), having the right immunisation can help you reduce your risk of getting sick. If you are already vaccinated, check with your doctor that your vaccine is still active.

• Read about what immunisation is available in Queensland for babies and young children, school children and adults.
• Read about the Immunise Australia Program, which aims to increase vaccination nationally for common vaccine preventable diseases.

Injuries

• General sport safety and sport injuries information from Smartplay—a sport safety and injury prevention program
• Information about injuries and injury prevention from Queensland Health  
• Sports Medicine Australia resources and advice for active people to help prevent injury and help you recover from injury
• Sportsinjurytracker—for sport community organisations to record, store and analyse injury data and develop ways to reduce sport injury

General safety

• Sport safety advice from the Australian Sports Commission. 
• Workplace health and safety for recreation and sport, what law applies and ways in which you can manage your risks.
• Safety resources for volunteers and volunteer organisations.
• Help for your club to deal with health and safety matters. 
• Information and advice on safety—how to stay safe and protected in your community.