Waverley Gymnastics Centre (WGC) is strongly committed to the care and wellbeing of our gymnasts, staff, and families. We have a zero-tolerance approach to any form of child abuse.

We are 100% behind ensuring that child safety and wellbeing is at the centre of everything we do. In 2024, WGC proactively engaged Child Safeguard, experts in child safeguarding, to review and update three key safeguarding policies. The Child Safety and Wellbeing Policy, Child Safe Code of Conduct, and Child Safe Complaints Handling Procedure prioritises the interests of children and young people and aims to protect them from all forms of abuse.

WGC has adopted and implemented Gymnastics Australia’s (GA) Safeguarding Children and Young People Policy, to ensure the highest standards are achieved in respect to the protection and safety of all participants.

In addition, WGC has a number of other additional supporting policies and wellbeing strategies created specifically to further support our members. WGC continually reviews these documents to ensure they are of the highest possible standard.

In planning, decision-making, operations, and coaching, Waverley Gymnastics Centre is committed to the following:

1. Taking a preventative, proactive, and participatory approach to child safety and wellbeing.
2. Respecting and supporting the diverse needs of all children, young people, and their families including those who are Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander, are from culturally and or/linguistically diverse backgrounds, have a disability, or identify as Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Intersex, Queer or Questioning, or Allies (LGBTIQA).
3. Educating children to know who to talk to if they are worried or are feeling unsafe and that they are comfortable, encouraged, and empowered to raise such issues.
4. Fostering a culture of openness that supports all persons to safely disclose risks of harm or neglect to children.
5. Providing our employees with ongoing education and supervision on best practice conduct and behaviour towards children.
6. Ensuring absolute diligence is undertaken to engage only the most suitable people to work and volunteer within the Club.
7. Reporting any suspected child abuse, neglect, or mistreatment promptly to the appropriate authorities.
8. Valuing the input of all gymnasts, families, employees, and volunteers and ensuring multiple opportunities in a safe space to share their thoughts, feelings, and insights.
9. Communicating regularly with gymnasts, families, employees, and volunteers about child wellbeing at WGC.

The President of Waverley Gymnastics Centre along with the Club Director hereby sign this Child Protection Commitment Statement.