Launceston City’s commitment to safeguarding has earned the club June’s Club Changer Club of the Month award.
The club completed its safeguarding plan through Football Australia’s Club Changer program in 2024 and achieved its Three Star Club Changer rating in 2025, reflecting substantial progress against its safeguarding action plan and broader work to strengthen child safety across the club.
Building on this, in 2026 the club has achieved 100 per cent compliance across coaches, board members, committee members and volunteers completing mandatory safeguarding training through Sports Integrity Australia or the Department for Education, Children and Young People.
Relevant volunteers are also required to hold a current Working with Vulnerable People registration and sign the club’s Code of Conduct, with more than 120 volunteers now meeting these requirements.
Safeguarding lead Jess Woodroffe said the achievement reflected a strong club-wide commitment.
“We’re really proud of how we’ve built on our Club Changer safeguarding plan and taken it further through mandatory training and 100 per cent compliance," she said.
“It’s pretty incredible for us as a club. Everyone is aware of their obligations to keep young people safe, and for us it’s about creating that culture and raising awareness and understanding.”
Jess said the club was fortunate to have people involved who understand best practice safeguarding and are committed to making it part of everyday club culture.
“Safeguarding is not just about reportable behaviour. It is also about creating safe, inclusive environments and making sure children and young people understand their rights, their voice, and how to speak up if something does not feel right.”
Through its junior division, the club also produces a child safeguarding guide for parents and families, which is reviewed and updated each year. Strengthening the voice of children and young people is an area the club hopes to further develop.
Jess’s advice to other clubs is simple: get informed.
“It can feel overwhelming, but clubs are responsible for protecting the safety of children and young people. If you don’t feel like you know enough, there are many people and organisations you can call on for resources and information, including the Office of the Independent Regulator.”