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
Behaviour in sport
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.
- Review your existing club policies, procedures and codes by using the templates in the Club toolkit
- Check out the Got an Issue section or Interactive scenarios for helpful advice on current issues
- Promote the Play by the Rules Champions with these online videos
- Take the Play by the Rules free online training course and tell your club members and volunteers to also participate
- Use the complaints handling section, or watch the complaint handling videos for advice on dealing with complaints
- Access interactive scenarios for practical tips about inclusive, safe and fair sports practices and procedures
- Download the free posters and flyers and display them in your clubhouse.
Are you a victim of abuse or bullying?
- Read information about bullying for players, coaches, parents and administrators.
- Learn how to report abuse.
- Get support for children and young people experiencing bullying.
- Visit the Queensland Human Rights Commission website. They deal with discrimination complaints in Queensland. Their information brochures explain types of unfair treatment and the complaints process.
- Call Kids Helpline (24-hour, 7-days-a-week counselling service for kids) on 1800 55 1800 at any time for any reason.
Risk management
Providing a safe environment for sport and recreational pursuits is a major challenge for many local governments and sport and recreation organisations.
Risk management is the process of identifying potential risks and acting to reduce, eliminate or avoid them.
Risk management consists of a series of steps including:
- identifying risks or potential risks
- evaluating the impact the risks may have
- risk treatment to manage risk
- implementing and reviewing your strategy.
Whether you're a volunteer, a paid administrator, an official, coach, instructor or just someone taking part in sport and recreational activities, it pays to play it safe.
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.
Sun safety – sport and recreation facilities
Sporting organisations have a duty of care to provide a safe and healthy environment for their members. One aspect of being healthy and safe is through sun safety and protection from the sun’s ultra-violet radiation (UVR).
Queensland sport clubs may be part of a larger association which has an overarching policy for all member clubs, or it may be the responsibility of your club to have its own sun protection policy.
The Cancer Council Queensland Sport and recreation: SunSmart Policy Guidelines (PDF, 318KB) support sport and recreation groups to develop and implement a sun safe policy.
Tips for being sun safe when participating in sport and recreation:
- installing and improving shade areas in environments where people are active both through structured activities such as sport and recreation and where people engage in incidental physical activity such as playground equipment
- scheduling training and game/activity times for the early morning or late afternoon and where possible conduct sport training in shade covered environments
- encourage uniforms and hats that offer maximum sun protection
- encourage the wearing of sunglasses while off-field
- encourage the use of sunscreen and where possible, make available through the sporting or recreation organisation.
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 for your club.
- 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 reducing alcohol-related problems to boost club membership.
- Good Sports is a three level accreditation program that helps clubs set standards around the key health issues of alcohol, smoking, obesity and mental health.
Children and sport
- You or anyone in your club will need a blue card if working with kids.
- Have a junior sport policy in place can help everyone understand your club’s safety guidelines.
- The 'Joining a club checklist' (PDF, 166KB) 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 (PDF, 1.24MB) 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.
- Find out about the fight against doping in Australian sport— read the Australian Sports Commission Anti-doping Policy (PDF, 680kb) (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.
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.
General safety
- Workplace health and safety for recreation and sport, what law applies and ways in which you can manage your risks.
- Information and advice on safety—how to stay safe and protected in your community.