Our Parents
Empower your child with an understanding of child safety so they feel confident and protected.
Empowering Your Child
Talk About Rights and Responsibilities
Ensure your child understands their rights and duties in tennis. When players know what is acceptable, they build the confidence and self-awareness needed to spot red flags, such as grooming or emotional abuse.
Include them in key decisions
Give your child a voice in choices regarding their training frequency, tournament entries, and coach selection. Being active participants helps them set boundaries and take ownership of their well-being.
Maintain open, honest communication
Regularly check in on your child's emotional and social well-being, including their relationships with coaches and peers. Create a safe space for them to speak up early if something feels wrong.
Model respectful behavior
Demonstrate positive interactions with coaches, officials, opponents, and other parents. Children mirror adult behavior, and your actions teach them what a respectful sporting environment looks like.
Keeping Your Child Safe: Spotting the Red Flags
Parents should always know what to look for when it comes to potential abuse—whether physical, emotional, sexual, or through neglect. These signs are not always obvious and can escalate over time.
Changes in Behavior
Look out for sudden mood swings, withdrawal from the sport, a drop in confidence, or an anxiety around certain individuals.
Boundary Violations
Be alert if a coach or member ignores safety policies or shows an unusual, private interest in your child (such as sending frequent, secretive messages).
Physical Indicators
Keep track of unexplained injuries (bruises, cuts, sprains, or burns) or physical exhaustion caused by overtraining.
Steps to Take If Your Child Confides in You
If your child raises an issue regarding how they are being treated, stay calm, listen without judgment, and protect them by taking these actions:
Listen closely to get a clear understanding of what happened.
Reassure them completely that they are not to blame.
Be honest that you will need to involve others to resolve the issue and keep them safe.
Write everything down as soon as possible while the details are fresh.
Report the issue immediately using the club's safeguarding procedures.
What to Do If You Are Concerned About Your Child’s Well-being
Knowing how to report a child safe issue allows you to act quickly and effectively the moment something feels wrong. Use the following channels to raise a concern:
-
Report to Pickle Power Kids: via email at childsafe@picklepowerkids.com.au or by calling 0481 832 240.
-
Emergency Situations: If you believe a child is in immediate danger, bypass sports channels and call the Police immediately on 000.
Frequently Asked Questions
How can I talk about safety without making my child anxious?
Frame safety around confidence and empowerment rather than fear. Use a calm, reassuring tone to send messages like, "It’s always okay to say no if something feels wrong," or "You can always tell me if a situation makes you uncomfortable." This teaches them that setting boundaries is normal and that they have your unconditional support.
How do I distinguish between a supportive coach and a child safe risk?
While supportive coaching is excellent, be alert to behaviors that cross professional boundaries. Red flags include giving individual gifts, sending frequent private messages, or spending one-on-one time together outside of official practice. If a coach's behavior feels secretive or vastly different from how they treat other players, discuss it with Pickle Power Kids's Child Safe Officer.
My child has a disability. How can the coach support their safety and inclusion?
Get in touch with Pickle Power Kids early to discuss your child's specific needs—whether that involves a quiet space, tailored communication, or a buddy system. Pickleball is for everyone, and safeguarding means ensuring that every child, regardless of ability, feels respected, protected, and fully included.
What should I do if my child doesn’t want to talk after pickleball?
It is completely normal for children to stay quiet after a session, and it doesn't automatically mean something is wrong. Instead of pressing for answers immediately, try a casual check-in later during a car ride or a shared activity. Let them know you are always ready to listen whenever they feel like talking.
Am I allowed to watch my child’s training sessions and matches?
Absolutely. A safe environment for children is built on openness and transparency. If a coach discourages parents from observing, this is a red flag that should be raised with Pickle Power Kids's Child Safe Officer immediately.