Supplementary Safeguarding Children & Young People Policy

1  Purpose

Australian Disc Golf (ADG) is committed to providing a safe, positive and enjoyable environment for all children and young people who participate in disc golf activities across Australia. This document supplements the Australian Flying Disc Association (AFDA) Safeguarding Children and Young People Policy (approved 12 December 2023, commencement 1 January 2024) (AFDA Policy) and addresses disc‑golf‑specific situations and risks not fully covered in the AFDA policy. Where any inconsistency arises, the AFDA policy takes precedence.

2  Scope

This policy applies to every ADG Member, tournament or league organiser, club, event director (TD), coach, official, volunteer, photographer, parent/guardian, contractor, and player—whether amateur or professional—when participating in, or connected with, an ADG‑sanctioned activity that involves children or young people under 18 years of age.

3  Relationship to AFDA Policy

ADG adopts the AFDA National Integrity Framework in full, including the Safeguarding Children and Young People Policy. This supplementary policy:

• clarifies disc‑golf‑specific operational standards;
  
• empowers event officials with clear authority to enforce child‑safeguarding measures on‑site; and
  
• avoids duplication by referencing (rather than restating) AFDA definitions, prohibited conduct and reporting pathways.
  

4  Disc Golf‑Specific Safeguarding Standards

4.1  Parental/Guardian Release Requirement (Form ADG‑SC‑01)

• A child (<18) must present a fully executed Parental/Guardian Release Form before taking part in any ADG‑sanctioned round, practice or ancillary activity.
  
• The TD must sight and record the form prior to issuing a scorecard. Electronic signatures are accepted if verified.
  
• Parent/guardian non‑compliance: The child will be withdrawn from the event and the child’s registered parent/guardian will be issued a written warning. After two breaches within 12 months ADG reserves the right to:
  • suspend the child’s ADG membership for up to 12 months; and
  • ADG will also notify the Professional Disc Golf Association (PDGA), which may then be compelled to act according to their own policies and standards.

4.2  Unattended Children at Events

• A child must be supervised at all times by either:
  
  • their parent or legal guardian; or
    
  • an Approved Adult named on Form ADG‑SC‑01
    
• If the parent/guardian and child are playing in the same event but they cannot reasonably be paired together, they must arrange approved supervision by an Approved Adult during their round.
  
• Parent/guardian non-compliance:

TDs may:

• refuse entry or remove any parent/guardian who they reasonably determined has failed to provide supervision or leaves the venue without arranging approved care;
• Withdraw a child from the event if their parent/guardian has failed to provide supervision or leaves the venue without arranging approved care.
  

4.3  Photography & Media Protocols

• Official Photographers – Individuals appointed by the TD must:
  
  • hold a current Working with Children Check (WWCC) relevant to the jurisdiction; and
    
  • wear visible accreditation while shooting.
    
• Casual/Unannounced Photographers (including community members) must:
  
  • register with the TD;
    
  • produce a valid WWCC; and
    
  • comply with this policy. Failure means they may not capture images of children.
    
• Media Consent – A separate Media Consent section is included in Form ADG‑SC‑01. No image or video identifying a child may be published without written consent of the child in the image and their parent/guardian.
  
• Storage & Disposal – Images containing children must be stored securely (password‑protected drive or cloud storage) and deleted within 24 months unless ongoing consent is obtained.
  

4.4  Working With Children Check (WWCC) Requirements

• The following must hold a current WWCC recognised in the state/territory where the event occurs:
  
  • TDs and Assistant TDs;
    
  • Tournament staff and volunteers who interact with players;
    
  • Coaches and clinic leaders;
    
  • Photographers and media crew
    
    
• ADG maintains a National WWCC Register. Clubs and TDs must submit WWCC details at least 48 hours before event start or individuals without submitted WWCCs will not be permitted to participate or volunteer in the event..
  

4.5  Eligibility & Participation Screening

• Any person who is ineligible for a WWCC, or subject to an interim negative notice, cannot serve in a position of authority or be paired alone on a card with a child.
  
• ADG may request a WWCC from players aged 18+ who volunteer or marshal.
  

4.6  Card (Group) Assignment Rules

• Preferred grouping hierarchy:
  
  1. Child accompanied by their legal parent or guardian
     
  2. If unavoidable, the child must be accompanied by the Approved Adult (Form-ADG-SC-01)
     
     

4.7  Lost Child & Incident Response

• TDs must implement a Lost Child Procedure (Appendix C) including secure holding area and public‑address call.
  
• All incidents are reported through AFDA Complaints, Disputes & Discipline Policy pathways and immediately to the ADG Safeguarding Officer.
  

5  Roles & Responsibilities

Role	Key Responsibilities
ADG Board	Approve and review this policy; ensure resources and training.
ADG Safeguarding Officer	Maintain WWCC Register; receive incident reports; liaise with AFDA & Sport Integrity Australia.
Event/Tournament Director (TD)	Enforce Sections 4.1‑4.7; verify forms & WWCC; brief staff; manage incidents.
State Representatives	Educate state clubs and organisations on policy.
Club Committees	Adopt policy locally; assist TDs; monitor compliance.
Volunteers & Staff	Hold valid WWCC (where required); follow TD instructions; report concerns.
Parents/Guardians	Provide supervision, completed forms, and adhere to policy.

6  Compliance & Disciplinary Action

• Unless consequences for non-compliance are expressly provided for in this policy, breaches of this Policy constitute Prohibited Conduct under the AFDA policy and are handled under the AFDA Complaints, Disputes & Discipline Policy.
  
• ADG may impose event‑level sanctions (warning, removal, suspension) in addition to AFDA processes.
  

7  Education & Training

• All TDs and club Child‑Safety Delegates must complete the Sport Integrity Australia “Child Safeguarding in Sport”.
  
• ADG will provide scenario‑based training materials specific to disc golf situations (e.g., cards, photography protocols).
  

8  Policy Review

This policy is reviewed annually or sooner if:

• AFDA updates its Safeguarding Policy;
  
• legislation changes; or
  
• a serious incident indicates improvements are required.
  

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Effective Date: 1 January 2026
Review Date: 1 January 2027

This document is to be read in conjunction with the AFDA Safeguarding Children and Young People Policy (Commencement 1 January 2024).