Safeguarding in Pickleball Australia

Our Commitment to Safe Sport

Pickleball Australia is committed to providing a safe, inclusive, and supportive environment for all participants regardless of age, background, or ability. We believe that everyone involved in our sport, from juniors to seniors, athletes to volunteers, officials to administrators, deserves to participate free from harm, discrimination, harassment, and abuse.

Safeguarding is not just a policy obligation, it is a core value of who we are as a sporting community.

Our Policies and Frameworks

Pickleball Australia's safeguarding approach is guided by a suite of policies designed to protect all participants and set clear expectations for behaviour across our sport. These include:

Sets out the standards of conduct expected of all participants, ensuring everyone involved in Pickleball Australia acts with integrity, respect, and fairness.

 

Click here to read the policy

Sets out the standards of behaviour expected of all members, officials, coaches, and administrators, and outlines how complaints and concerns will be handled.

 

Click here to read the policy

Establishes the values, behaviours, and responsibilities that all members of the Pickleball Australia community are expected to uphold.

 

Click here to read the policy

All individuals working with children and young people through Pickleball Australia are required to hold current and valid Working with Children Checks in accordance with the legislation of their relevant state or territory.

 

 

Our Commitment to Safe Sport

Pickleball Australia is aligned with the national safe sport agenda and supports the work of Sport Integrity Australia. We are committed to:

  • Embedding a culture of safeguarding throughout all levels of the sport
  • Providing education and training to members, coaches, and officials on their safeguarding responsibilities
  • Ensuring all safeguarding concerns are taken seriously and handled with sensitivity and confidentiality
  • Working collaboratively with state and territory associations to maintain consistent safeguarding standards across the country
  • Continuously reviewing and improving our practices based on feedback, learnings, and evolving best practice

Steps to submit a Complaint:

(If a child is at immediate risk of harm, contact Police or Child Protection first, then notify PA.)

Identify yourself

a Complaint can't be anonymous. You need to be the person directly affected (or a parent/carer submitting on behalf of a child or vulnerable person).

Put it in writing

email it to integrity@pickleballaus.org.

Describe what happened

see details below.

Send it

PA will acknowledge receipt as soon as practicable.

Wait to be contacted

a Complaint Manager will be appointed to review it and let you know if it's in scope and what happens next.

Raising a Concern or Making a Complaint

Pickleball Australia has a clear and accessible complaints process in place to ensure all concerns are handled fairly, promptly, and confidentially.

To learn more about how to raise a concern or submit a complaint, please visit our Complaints Process page.

 

Click here to learn more