A COACHING and safeguarding workshop supported by Team Up and delivered by Netball Australia in partnership with Netball Fiji is helping strengthen awareness of the important role coaches play in keeping players safe.

Safeguarding means protecting players from harm, bullying, harassment and abuse. It also means respecting their rights, looking after their wellbeing and making sure they feel comfortable speaking up when something is wrong.

The workshop focused on helping coaches understand their responsibilities, recognise potential risks and respond appropriately when a player raises a concern.

Netball Fiji Sports Development Officer Lusiana Rakavono said player safety must always be a priority.

“Every player deserves to be part of a safe and supportive sporting environment. When coaches understand their responsibilities and know how to respond to concerns, they can help make netball a positive experience for everyone,” added Rakavono.

Protecting players does not stop when training or a match ends. It also includes team travel, accommodation, changing rooms and online spaces.

With players increasingly visible on social media, respect must also extend to the comments and messages they receive online. No player should have to deal with bullying, harassment or inappropriate comments simply because they represent their team or country.

Players should also know who they can approach for help and feel confident that their concerns will be taken seriously.

Following the workshop, Netball Fiji and participating coaches will work together to take the knowledge, tools and resources into communities and schools across Fiji.

Through community visits and school sessions, they will share important safeguarding messages, help raise awareness of player rights and wellbeing, and encourage safer sporting environments for children and young teens.

The aim is to ensure that safeguarding knowledge does not remain in the workshop but is shared with the wider netball community, including young players, coaches and those who support them.

With support from Team Up and the expertise of Netball Australia, the workshop highlights the importance of equipping coaches and sporting personnel with the knowledge and confidence to protect the athletes in their care, while building safer and more supportive netball community throughout Fiji.