Health, Wellbeing and Inclusion information and resources for sports clubs.
Health
Good Sports is Australia’s largest community health sports program. Good Sports is run by the Alcohol and Drug Foundation (ADF) a not-for-profit which is committed to building strong communities and limiting the harm caused by alcohol and other drugs.
Good Sports takes the guess work out of alcohol management, so its perfect for busy sports clubs. Good Sports can also give you the upper hand when it comes to engaging with new members and volunteers, as well as attracting funding and sponsors.
We aim to support clubs, facilities and community groups to provide a greater range of healthy and nutritious options within their food and drink environment
Having an adequate diet of fruit and vegetables is important in the prevention of many major diseases. Recreational and sports settings, and facilities can incorporate healthy food options into their menus and/or catering policies to minimise or exclude high fat, high sugar foods being consumed.
Clubs are advised that smoking is prohibited in all City owned buildings including sports pavilions, with no person able to smoke within five metres of doorways or open windows. Additionally, smoking is banned within 10 metres of all junior sports.
Smoking management resources, posters and more can be found on the Good Sports website.
Event Organisers have a responsibility to meet WH&S (workplace health and safety) standards by providing participants, patrons, staff and volunteers with protection from over exposure to UV radiation from the sun. Sun protection is easy but requires some planning to ensure that everyone has the information and resources they need to keep safe.
Wellbeing
Every person in sport, in every role, has the right to participate in an environment that is fun, safe and healthy, and to be treated with respect, dignity and fairness. Bullying in sport affects an individual's enjoyment of the sport, as well as physical and mental health.
The Love the Game Sporting Club Program is an initiative of the Victorian Responsible Gambling Foundation. The program aims to reduce the exposure of young people to sports betting promotions.
Your club can sign up to the Love the Game campaign to receive resources and support to take a stand against gambling sponsorship in sport.
For emergency support, please contact 000.
Lifeline Australia
For 24 hour support, please contact Lifeline on 13 11 14 or visit their website.
Headspace Bendigo
Headspace Bendigo is a free service that aims to support the mental health of young people aged between 12 and 25 years. This is a confidential service which is delivered by a range of medical and health professionals.
SALT - Sport and Life Training
SALT (Sport and Life Training) is a not-for-profit mental health and wellbeing organisation that delivers education sessions into sporting clubs. Their aim is to help develop mental resilience and healthy values in club members. These club members can then provide positive influences on their teams, workmates, classmates and their broader community.
Good spectator behaviour and sporting conduct on the field is an important part of sport, and the ‘Let Kids Be Kids’ campaign lets kids enjoy their sport and have fun.
Let Kids Be Kids highlights the negative impact of abusive behaviour and the importance of positive sporting environments that encourage having fun with your friends, participation and not just winning.
The campaign also features a range of resources and a toolkit to help sports clubs and communities tackle poor sideline behaviour.
Inclusion
Racism. It Stops With Me is a national campaign that provides tools and resources to help organisations learn about racism and stand against it by acting for change. Sporting clubs are encouraged to sign up as campaign supporters to show their support in standing against racism.
People with a disability should be able to participate in sport in a way that suits them. Sporting clubs can do lots of simple things to ensure that they are creating a safe, welcoming and inclusive environment for all.
A good place to start is by utilising Sport Australia’s Inclusive Sport Toolkit
Clubs can also adopt a Disability Inclusion Policy to demonstrate their commitment to providing an inclusive environment.
Encouraging diverse participants to your club is a vital first step in promoting inclusion and diversity but for your club to be inclusive it is important that your club structures (such as your committee) also consist of diverse groups of people and include them in decision making where possible.
This Girl Can Victoria celebrates and supports Victorian women to embrace physical activity in a way that suits them. Half of all Victorian women aren’t getting enough weekly exercise.
Why? Victorian women have told This Girl Can Vic that a big part of not trying new activities or getting involved in sport is a fear of being judged, or not being fit enough to start. Not to mention, twice as many women than men put off getting active because they’re worried about what other people think.