Safeguarding Children & Young People
Safeguarding Children & Young People
About
Queensland Cricket is committed to ensuring that every cricket participant, including children and young people, participates in our sport free of abuse, harassment, bullying or any other form of inappropriate conduct.
Queensland Cricket Association Commitment Statement
Delivering a child safe framework across our sport is achieved through supporting Children and Young People, their parents and guardians and by Australian Cricket and each of our Affiliated Associations and Clubs striving to be a child safe organisation.
As part of our commitment to Children and Young People, Queensland Cricket endorses Australian Cricket’s Commitment to Safeguarding Children and Young People.
Read the full statement here: Commitment to Safeguarding Children and Young People
Queensland Cricket Child Safeguarding Support
Queensland Cricket Child Safeguarding Officers are available to provide information and guidance about safeguarding children and young people. They can talk through any concerns you may have about behaviour or situations within Clubs & Associations and can also help you understand your obligations.
Queensland Cricket Child Safeguarding Officers:
- Brendan Bowers - brendan.bowers@qldcricket.com.au
- Katisha Webb - katisha.webb@qldcricket.com.au
- Mandy Olivier - mandy.olivier@qldcricket.com.au
If you believe a child is in immediate danger or in a life-threatening situation, contact the Police immediately on 000.
If you have any concerns which may be in breach of the QC Integrity or Compliance Framework, please report your complaint to: REPORT SOMETHING
Blue Cards
Queensland Cricket is committed to creating safe, positive and child‑friendly cricket environments across Queensland. The Blue Card system plays a vital role in ensuring the safety and wellbeing of children participating in our sport.
Queensland Cricket Blue Card Policy
The Queensland Cricket Blue Card Policy aligns with the legislative requirements under the Child Safe Organisations Act 2024 and the 10 Queensland Child Safe Standards. The aim is to support Clubs & Associations to deliver safe, inclusive, and compliant environments across the statewide network.
The purpose of the Blue Card Policy is to ensure the safety and wellbeing of children and young people involved in cricket in Queensland by implementing robust organisational practices and procedures that meet legislative requirements. It also seeks to position cricket as a leader in child safety across the state.
Queensland Cricket commits to continuously aligning with the legislative requirements and will update relevant documentation and stakeholders where necessary.
Who Needs a Blue Card?
Queensland Cricket strongly recommends all volunteers in Clubs & Associations hold a current Blue Card (or exemption cards from their paid profession). This supports best‑practice child safeguarding and ensures clubs are proactive in protecting children and young people.
However, the following positions must hold a Blue Card under the legislative requirements:
- Queensland Cricket Association employees, contractors, and volunteers
- All executive and committee positions at a club/association
- Umpires at all levels of the game
- Coaches and managers of any team with a junior player*
*Note that the legislation provides that a parent volunteering at the same place their child is participating in activities does not need a Blue Card (under the condition that the individual provides evidence that they are not a restricted person). Notwithstanding this, Queensland Cricket strongly recommends that anyone who conducts activities with children, including parents, have a Blue Card. This will be at the discretion of the Clubs & Associations.
Other Blue Card Obligations for Clubs & Associations
Legislation dictates that all Clubs & Associations in Queensland must utilise the Blue Card portal to onboard and track their volunteers’ Blue Card status.
Upon request, Clubs & Associations will also need to provide Queensland Cricket with their current Blue Card registers as part of our collective objective to ensure full compliance with state safeguarding requirements and maintain safe environments for all children and young people involved in our game.
Club & Association leaders should familiarise themselves with the government mandated requirements for Blue Cards for Clubs & Associations.
Feeling a bit lost? Use this quick reference guide from Blue Card Services that will help your Club or Association stay compliant and protect the wellbeing of those in your care.
Useful Resources
These key resources are available to Clubs & Associations to maintain the safest possible environment for children and young people involved in our sport.
State Government Resources
Self-Assessment Tool for implementing the Universal Principle and Child Safe Standards in Queensland
This Self-Assessment Tool helps Queensland Cricket Clubs & Associations to reflect on:
- How the Child Safe Standards and Universal Principal are currently being implemented;
- Where work is required; and
- The actions that need to be taken to plan for improving child safe practices.
Quick Reference Guide to implementing the Child Safe Standards in Queensland
This guide provides information to help Queensland Cricket Clubs & Associations implement the Child Safe Standards.
Blue Card Services has dedicated resources for organisation to administer the obligations of the Blue Card system.
National Integrity Resources
Sport Integrity Australia has developed resources for sport administrators and volunteers to help deliver and embed comprehensive integrity programs in Clubs & Associations.
Cricket Australia Resources
Cricket Australia Club Resources for Safeguarding Children & Young People
Cricket Australia has created resources for community cricket Clubs & Associations to develop and promote their commitment to child safety.
Cricket Australia e-Learning Modules for Recognising and Reporting Abuse
These e-Learning modules can be completed by anyone involved in Clubs & Associations - volunteers, coaches, umpires, players and parents - to help them to recognise and report prohibited conduct in cricket, such as abuse, misconduct and grooming.