(Photo: provided)

Today (8 August) is Safe Sport Day, on which the OFC, in conjunction with the Safe Sport International initiative, reaffirms its commitment to the safety of all people, especially children, in sport.

And when it comes to ensuring our sport is a safe place for all, “everyone has to do their part,” says Palu Uhatahi Tu’amoheloa, the OFC’s recently appointed Safety and Wellbeing Manager.

“There are so many factors involved in protecting children, including how to prevent abuse, what actions to take and how to report abuse,” she said.

Safe Sport Day 2024 is a great opportunity to celebrate the progress made across the OFC region. Over the past few years, Oceania football and its member associations have placed particular emphasis on player protection. With the OFC region co-hosting the FIFA Women’s World Cup last year, great emphasis was placed on ensuring appropriate safeguarding measures were in place.

The OFC has committed to working to improve security in the Oceania region in 2021 and this work is an integral part of the work leading up to the World Cup. There are channels through which anyone connected to the game can raise concerns. Actions taken to ensure security measures are integrated into all aspects of football include:

• An e-learning module for OFC Coaching
• Safeguarding workshops during elite and pre-elite referee courses
• Awareness-raising materials created for member associations
• Updating the OFC Competition Rules to require Team Safeguarding Welfare Officers (TWSO)
• Member associations are supported in the development of protective measures

Protection is really everyone’s responsibility. If you see something, say so.

If you have any concerns about protection, please email (email protected)

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