Safeguarding

At Auckland FC, the safety and well-being of every child in our junior football programmes is our top priority. We are committed to creating a safe, inclusive, and supportive environment where all tamariki (children) and rangatahi (youth) can enjoy football, grow their skills, and thrive—both on and off the pitch.

Our Commitment to Child Safety

We follow national best practice guidelines, including those from Safeguarding Children NZ, Sport New Zealand, and New Zealand Football. Our safeguarding approach is based on the following principles:

Child-Centred Practice – Every decision we make puts the safety and well-being of children first.

Safe People – All our coaches, staff, and volunteers are vetted, trained, and equipped to work safely and respectfully with children.

Safe Programmes – We have clear expectations around conduct, supervision, and communication to ensure safe and enjoyable experiences for everyone.

Inclusive Environment – Auckland FC celebrates diversity and promotes equal opportunities for all participants.

How We Keep Kids Safe

Police vetting and screening for all staff and volunteers working with children.

Safeguarding training for coaches and team managers.

Codes of conduct for players, parents, coaches, and volunteers.

Clear reporting procedures so concerns can be raised and addressed promptly.

Ongoing reviews and updates to our policies and practices.

What to Do If You’re Concerned

If you see or hear something that doesn’t seem right, or if a child discloses something to you, please report it immediately to our Team.

You don’t need to be sure  - just concerned. We’ll listen and take every concern seriously.

Working Together

Keeping children safe is a shared responsibility. Whether you’re a parent, coach, volunteer, or player, we all have a role to play in making Auckland FC a positive, supportive place for young people to grow.

We welcome feedback and are always looking to improve. Our full safeguarding policy is available on request, and this webpage will be updated regularly to reflect best practices.