Sports Focus

20/10/2026

Summer Sport Is Here — Is Your Club Across the WWCC Changes?

With the summer sport season getting underway, now is a great time for clubs to check they understand the changes to Victoria’s Working with Children Check (WWCC) system, which came into effect on 19 October 2026.

📋 The changes include mandatory child safety training for people applying for or renewing a WWCC.

Clubs also need to understand their responsibilities under the new WWC Connect system, including connecting workers and volunteers to their organisation and keeping appropriate records.

Not sure what this means for your club? The Social Services Regulator has recorded an information and Q&A webinar explaining the key changes and what organisations need to know.

To watch the webinar recording and find out more about the changes:
https://bit.ly/4i5mT26

Need help understanding what this means for your club? Contact Sports Focus today for support.
📞 5442 3101
📩 [email protected]

Share this with your committee, coaches and volunteers to help everyone stay informed and prepared for the season ahead!

19/10/2026

Congratulations to Sailability Bendigo on receiving this fantastic grant and supporting inclusive sailing for all! ⛵🌊

There are still spots available for our next session on 11 November!
Come along, get out on the water and experience the joy of sailing with us!

Click the booking link below to register:
👉 https://www.trybooking.com/DOTHW

We’re excited to celebrate that we have been fortunate enough to receive $3,000 through the Australian Government’s Volunteer Grants program.🌊⛵

The Volunteer Grants program supports not-for-profit organisations to strengthen their volunteer workforce and encourage more people to get involved.

For Sailability Bendigo, this funding will help support the incredible volunteers who make it possible for people of all abilities to experience the joy, connection and freedom of sailing on Lake Weeroona.

Volunteers are at the heart of inclusive sport — creating welcoming environments, supporting participants and helping ensure everyone has the opportunity to be active and connected in their community.

A huge congratulations to Sailability Bendigo and thank you to the volunteers who continue to make a difference!
Simon Bibby Lisa Chesters MP

16/10/2026

📢 WWCC Changes: What Do They Mean for Your Club?

From Monday 19 October 2026, changes to Victoria’s Working with Children Check (WWCC) system will come into effect, and clubs and volunteers may be wondering what they need to do.

The Social Services Regulator (SSR) recently hosted a webinar explaining the upcoming changes, including the new WWC Connect system and mandatory child safety training requirements.

🏃 Whether you’re a club committee member, administrator, coach or volunteer, the webinar is a great opportunity to better understand what’s changing, how it may affect your role and what your club needs to do to prepare.

🎥 Catch up on the webinar recording and get informed before the changes take effect!

🔗 Find the recording and further information here: https://vimeo.com/1235705088

12/10/2026

Volunteers are the heartbeat of community sport. 💙🏆

From keeping clubs running behind the scenes to creating opportunities for people to get involved, volunteers give so much of their time and energy to make sport possible.

Taking the time to recognise and celebrate their contributions shows that their efforts matter, helps build a culture of appreciation and reminds volunteers how valued they are within their sporting community.

👏 Know someone who deserves a little extra recognition?
Celebrate their contribution by nominating them for the 2026 Sport Volunteer of the Year Award before nominations close on Sunday 18 October!

Know a volunteer who has made an exceptional impact over the past 12 months?

Nominations close on Sunday 18 October for the 2026 Sport Volunteer of the Year Award.

Help celebrate the people who make sport possible and nominate a local legend today.

09/10/2026

📣 Changes to the Working with Children Check – What your club needs to know

From 19 October 2026, changes to Victoria’s Working with Children (WWC) Check scheme will introduce a new online service and mandatory child safety training.

⚠️ What’s changing?
WWC Connect: Organisations will need to use this new online service to notify the Social Services Regulator when workers or volunteers start or stop doing child-related work.
Mandatory child safety training: Training will become part of the WWC Check application and renewal process.

✅ How can your club prepare?
• Check that workers’ and volunteers’ WWC Clearance details are accurate and up to date.
• Make sure you have the information needed to connect your existing workforce to WWC Connect.
• Let relevant staff, volunteers and those responsible for recruitment and compliance know about the changes.

🗓️ Upcoming webinar: The Social Services Regulator is hosting an information and Q&A session on Wednesday 14 October, 2–2:45 pm, to help organisations understand what’s changing and how to prepare.

The session is aimed at representatives of organisations that engage workers or volunteers in child-related work. Workers and volunteers who hold a WWC Clearance do not need to attend.

🔗 Register for the webinar: https://loghic.eventsair.com/641189/519141/Site/Register

🌐 Find out more about the changes: https://www.vic.gov.au/changes-working-children-check

Keeping children safe is a shared responsibility. Make sure your club is prepared for these important changes.

08/10/2026

What a way to kick off the Sailability season! ☀️

Perfect weather, plenty of time on the water, and an incredible first session back with our sailors and volunteers.

It was especially exciting to see sailors getting out on the water and sailing independently — something that highlights the opportunities Sailability can create both on and off the water.

After some grant success and sponsorship opportunities, we’re also thrilled to have our new boat and kayak out on the water this season! 🙌

Our new boat is also registered with World Sailing, helping create a pathway for sailors who want to take the next step from recreational sailing into competitive sailing. 🏆⛵️

A huge thank you to everyone who helped make our first session of the season such a great one. We can’t wait to see what this season brings!

07/10/2026

Creating a welcoming and inclusive club is about more than what happens on game day. It’s shaped by the decision we make, the way we welcome new members, the policies we put in place and the culture we build every day.

Good governance helps clubs create environments where everyone knows what’s expected, feels supported, and can participate with confidence.

Find practical guidance, policy templates, and tools to help your club Set The Standard

👉 https://setthestandard.vic.gov.au/resource-hub/governance

05/10/2026

Such an important conversation for sport and our local communities.

It was fantastic to see the response to The Game sessions in Bendigo and the willingness of local clubs and organisations to learn, listen and have meaningful conversations about inclusion.

Creating sporting environments where everyone feels welcome, respected and able to be themselves starts with these conversations.

If your club or organisation would like to learn more about the Rainbow Ready program and how you can get involved, please get in touch with us — we’d love to have a conversation with you. 💜

05/10/2026

Community sport should be a place where everyone feels safe, welcome and included.

We’re sharing this important conversation from VicHealth, where Ian Hamm and Professor Anna Peeters discuss racism in sport, the impact it can have on people and what we can do to create more inclusive sporting environments.

A worthwhile listen for anyone involved in community sport — coaches, volunteers, committee members, players and supporters.

🎧 Listen to the conversation: How It Feels to Experience Racism in Sport | Ian Hamm & Anna Peeters | Vichealth Set the Standard

⚠️ Content warning: This conversation includes discussions of racism and racial abuse in community sport.

A conversation with VicHealth Board Chair Ian Hamm and CEO Professo...

02/10/2026

📣 AGM season is here!

We asked the Sports Focus team for their #1 AGM tip for sporting clubs!

From knowing your quorum and checking your constitution to making sure everyone has an opportunity to have their say, there are plenty of things to keep in mind when preparing for your AGM.

What’s your #1 AGM tip? 👇

Need a hand getting your club AGM-ready? Contact us today!
📞 5442 3101
📩 [email protected]