Sport
9 December, 2025
Local councils named as frontline in fight against abuse in junior sport
Local councils – not national sporting bodies – may be the real key to stopping abuse, bullying and discrimination in children’s sport, new research suggests.
Local councils – not national sporting bodies – may be the real key to stopping abuse, bullying and discrimination in children’s sport, new research suggests.
The study from Monash University warns that harmful behaviour is far more common in junior sport than many parents realise.
A recent International Olympic Committee review found that between 44 and 86 per cent of children experience some form of interpersonal violence in sport, including sexism, racism, homophobia, bullying and sexual abuse.
Lead researcher Dr Erik Denison said the findings show current prevention approaches are failing – largely because national bodies don’t control what actually happens at community grounds.
“Policy documents are often ignored by the coaches who deliver sport in the community,” Dr Denison said.
“National organisations aren’t present day-to-day. They don’t fund local clubs and they don’t control the fields, courts or gymnasiums where abuse and discrimination actually occur.”
By contrast, he said, local councils own the facilities where children are being harmed, giving them both the responsibility and the power to intervene.
The research highlights a new approach being trialled in Canada, which has become the first jurisdiction in the world to require community sporting clubs to demonstrate child-safe environments in order to continue using public facilities.
Denison said early reactions from club leaders were surprisingly positive.
“We expected backlash, but many saw it as a way to remove bad actors and improve culture,” he said.
The model is now drawing interest from councils closer to home.
With community fields and courts owned by local government, the findings will likely fuel debate in the Southern Highlands, Wollondilly and Southern Tablelands – about whether councils should play a more active role in enforcing child-safe standards across junior sport.
Dr Denison said the evidence is clear: local councils are uniquely positioned to drive real change where national sporting bodies have struggled.
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Please share your comments with us. Should our local councils tackle sexism, racism, homophobia, bullying and sexual abuse at junior sports fields?
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