Policies & Child Safety

Creating the right environment matters.

At ARETE Football, we want children to enjoy their football in an environment where they feel safe, respected, known and supported.

The information below outlines our approach to privacy, child safety and the standards of behaviour we expect from players, parents, coaches and everyone involved with ARETE.

Privacy

Respecting your information

ARETE Football respects the privacy of our players and families and is committed to handling personal information responsibly.

When you register your interest, attend a trial or join ARETE, we may collect information including a player's name, date of birth, parent or guardian contact details, emergency information and other details reasonably required to manage their participation.

We use this information to:

  • communicate with players and families;
  • organise trials, teams, training and matches;
  • manage registrations and participation;
  • support the safety and wellbeing of players; and
  • administer ARETE Football activities.

We will not sell or trade personal information.

Information will only be shared where reasonably necessary for a player's participation, administration or safety, or where required by law. This may include relevant competition providers and football partners, including JPL Australia.

We take reasonable steps to protect the personal information provided to us and only retain information for as long as reasonably required for its intended purpose or to meet applicable legal or administrative requirements.

Photos & Media

Photographs and video may be taken during training, matches, tournaments and other ARETE activities and may be used on our website, social media and other ARETE communications.

Where appropriate, parents or guardians will be asked to provide consent for the use of images of their child.

Parents and guardians can contact ARETE at any time if they have a concern about the use of their child's image.

Your information

Parents and guardians may contact ARETE if they would like to:

  • ask what personal information we hold;
  • request that information be corrected;
  • update their communication preferences; or
  • raise a privacy concern.

Child Safety

Children come first.

The way children experience football matters.

ARETE Football is committed to providing an environment where children feel safe, respected, known and supported — at training, on matchday and whenever they participate in ARETE activities.

Child safety isn't separate from the ARETE Way. It's fundamental to it.

Our commitment

Everyone involved with ARETE — including coaches, staff, volunteers, players, parents and supporters — has a role in creating a positive and safe environment for children.

We expect adults involved with ARETE to:

  • treat children with dignity and respect;
  • maintain appropriate boundaries;
  • behave appropriately around children;
  • take concerns seriously;
  • contribute to a positive and respectful football environment; and
  • put the safety and wellbeing of children ahead of football outcomes.

Bullying, harassment, discrimination, abuse or behaviour that places a child at risk has no place at ARETE.

People working with children through ARETE must meet the appropriate Working with Children and child-safety requirements applicable to their role.

Speaking up

Children should feel comfortable speaking to a coach or another trusted adult if something doesn't feel right.

Parents and guardians are also encouraged to raise any concern about their child's safety, wellbeing or experience with ARETE.

Concerns will be taken seriously and handled appropriately, with the safety and wellbeing of the child as the priority.

Creating a safe environment is something everyone contributes to, but responsibility for maintaining appropriate standards starts with the adults.

Code of Conduct

The way we behave matters.

Football is competitive.

There will be excitement, disappointment, mistakes, difficult decisions and moments when emotions run high.

How we respond to those moments helps shape the environment our children experience.

At ARETE, we expect players, parents, coaches and everyone involved with our teams to contribute to an environment built around respect, effort, enjoyment and togetherness.

Excellence · Character · Potential isn't simply something we say. It should be reflected in the way we behave.

Players

We ask ARETE players to:

  • work hard and be willing to learn;
  • treat teammates, coaches, opponents and referees with respect;
  • encourage and support their teammates;
  • listen, participate and give their best effort;
  • be willing to try things and understand that mistakes are part of learning;
  • compete with passion while showing respect in both winning and losing; and
  • take increasing responsibility for their own football as they grow.

We don't expect children to be perfect.

We do expect them to learn from their experiences and understand what it means to be part of a team.

Parents & Supporters

Parents and supporters play an important part in creating the environment around junior football.

We ask ARETE parents and supporters to:

  • encourage rather than coach from the side-line;
  • support the whole team, not only their own child;
  • treat players, coaches, opponents, referees and other families respectfully;
  • allow children to make decisions and mistakes while they play;
  • keep winning and losing in perspective;
  • raise concerns appropriately and away from players and matchday emotions; and
  • help children enjoy their football and take responsibility for their own development.

Children should be able to look towards the side-line and see people who are supporting them, not judging every decision they make.

Coaches

Coaches have a particular responsibility because their words, actions and behaviour directly influence a child's experience of football.

We expect ARETE coaches to:

  • put the safety and wellbeing of the child first;
  • treat every player with dignity and respect;
  • create an environment that is positive, challenging and safe;
  • set high standards without making children afraid to make mistakes;
  • recognise that children develop differently and at different rates;
  • give players appropriate attention and opportunities to develop;
  • model respect towards players, parents, opponents and officials;
  • maintain appropriate professional boundaries; and
  • reflect on their own coaching and take responsibility when they get things wrong.

And we want every ARETE coach to regularly ask themselves:

“What does it feel like to be coached by me?”

Compete the ARETE Way

We want ARETE teams to play with passion and togetherness.

Wanting to win is part of football. We want our players to compete, care about the result and enjoy success.

But the way we compete matters too.

Respect doesn't disappear when a game becomes difficult. Character is often shown most clearly when things aren't going our way.

If behaviour falls below the standards expected at ARETE, we'll address it fairly and appropriately, with the wellbeing of the children and the wider team environment at the centre of our response.

We all contribute to the environment our children experience.

Players. Parents. Coaches. Together.

Excellence · Character · Potential