With the junior football season now underway, New Zealand Football is pleased to release a video for those involved with the game outlining appropriate behaviour towards children.

The animated video is part of the governing body’s Policy Regarding Working with Children, which was adopted in February of last year and is supplemented by the NZF Code of Conduct and NZF Code of Ethics.

The video provides hints and tips for all adults supporting junior football, helping them become educated in how to engage with people aged 18 years or younger in an easy-to-understand manner.

Megan Crockett, National Player Welfare Manager for NZ Football, says the organisation is committed to the safety and wellbeing of young people and will act to ensure that a safe environment is maintained for all children within its responsibility.

“The new video and the Policy Regarding Working with Children are important resources for all people involved in football,” Crockett says.

“It is vital to establish guidelines of what is acceptable and non-acceptable behaviour. This policy will only be as strong as the members of the football community who implement it and adhere to these guidelines. Keeping all children safe is the responsibility of everyone in the game.”

NZ Football is committed to providing an environment which is safe for all members, free from harassment and abuse, and promotes respectful and positive behaviour and values.

The Policy Regarding Working with Children has been developed to specifically protect and safeguard children from harm and put in place clear and appropriate procedures for reporting inappropriate behaviour. It was created with the help of the New Zealand Police and supported by Oranga Tamariki (Ministry for Children). It aligns with FIFA’s vision to promote the game of football, protect its integrity and bring the sport to all.

NZ Football, its federations and clubs will proactively create a safe environment for children by ensuring all members are aware of and adhere to the guidelines for working with children. The governing body is committed to regularly reviewing and implementing the safeguarding practices relating to children in order to minimise and prevent the risk of harm to them.

“We will ensure all members who work with children understand their responsibilities under this policy and the guidelines and requirements,” Crockett says. “We are implementing the Vetting and Screening of Workers with Children Requirements and we encourage federations, regional associations and clubs to implement the same approach.” 

NZ Football acknowledges the majority of schools will also have teams participating in football and that these teams may not be members of NZ Football. It is expected that these schools will be compliant with their legal obligations and, specifically, with the Vulnerable Children’s Act 2014.

Any incidents will be investigated relative to the terms of the NZF Code of Ethics and the NZF Disciplinary Code and will be referred to the NZF Ethics Committee.

To view the NZF Policy Regarding Working with Children please click here