The Member Protection Information Officer (MPIO) is responsible for the welfare of all people belonging to Abbotsford Juniors Football Club (AJFC), especially children.  The Club's MPIO role is to help protect members from physical, sexual or emotional abuse while playing for this Club.  AJFC is committed to providing a safe and positive environment for all members to play football.   So what are we doing to protect club members? 

1.    AJFC has Codes of Conduct for players, officials and spectators.  These Codes outline appropriate behaviour for those involved with the Club and can be found on this website under Policies and Guidelines.  
 

2.    All officials (including coaches and team managers) at the Club who have direct involvement with children sign a Prohibited Employment Declaration Form. This is a legally binding document which requires a person to declare they have not been convicted of child abuse crimes in the past. In addition, any official who is paid for their work at AJFC undergoes a background check.  
 

3.   Every year all club officials are educated about child protection and encouraged to complete “Play by the Rules” online training, a government program to help prevent child abuse.  
 

4.   The Club organises ground officials to supervise games at Campbell Park and Lysaght Park and deal with any abusive incidents.  
 

5.    AJFC has a protocol to deal fairly with any allegations of abuse. If you have an issue please contact the Club MPIO. Contact details for the MPIO can be found here.   We will listen to your concerns and suggest what further action you may wish to take.  This may include: 
 

a.    Discussing ways of managing the issue yourself;
 

b.    Referring the matter raised to the Club's Executive. This would involve gathering information about any incidents or concerns so that the Executive can decide further action. In order to be fair, anyone who has allegations made against them will usually be approached by the Executive for their version of events. The Club will seek to maintain the confidentiality of all parties involved. The Club may also seek advice from Canterbury District Soccer Football Association or Football NSW.  
 

c.    In serious cases, the Club may refer the matter to agencies such as DoCS or the police.  
 

Further information about child protection in sport can be found at the following links;   
  Office of the Advocate for Children and Young Adults
  NSW Office of the Children's Guardian
  Sports Australia
  Play By The Rules