The Bankstown District Amateur Football Association (BDAFA) has announced the introduction of a new Association-wide directive aimed at further strengthening the safety, enjoyment and integrity of football across all competitions. The initiative forms part of BDAFA’s ongoing commitment to ensuring football remains a positive, welcoming and family-friendly environment for players, referees, volunteers, officials, members and supporters.
Football is built on respect, sportsmanship and community spirit. Every person who attends a BDAFA fixture should feel safe and be able to enjoy the game in a positive environment. As participation across the Association continues to grow, BDAFA is reinforcing the expectations placed upon all Clubs and members to ensure everyone contributes to maintaining those standards.
The new directive introduces clear expectations regarding the involvement of non-playing participants at matches and reinforces the responsibility Clubs have in educating, supervising and supporting their members and supporters.
The directive also establishes stronger accountability measures where conduct falls below the standards expected within BDAFA competitions.
BDAFA Chair Dimitri Hursalas said protecting participants and preserving the integrity of the game remains a priority.
“Our football community is built upon volunteers, referees, players, coaches, officials and families who dedicate countless hours to making our competitions successful every week.”
“We want every person attending a BDAFA match to have confidence that football is a safe, respectful and enjoyable environment.”
“This initiative is about protecting our community and reinforcing the values that have always been at the heart of our Association.”
“Most importantly, this is about ensuring football remains a positive experience for everyone, particularly our junior participants and the families who support them.”
Under the directive, Clubs will be required to actively communicate and reinforce BDAFA’s expectations regarding behaviour at all matches and events.
The Association will also work closely with Clubs to promote positive sideline behaviour and strengthen the role of officials and marshals in maintaining safe match environments. BDAFA recognises that the overwhelming majority of participants, officials and supporters demonstrate exemplary behaviour each week and this initiative further supports those positive standards.
The Association believes that maintaining a safe football environment is a shared responsibility and requires the ongoing support of every Club, volunteer, player, official and supporter.
BDAFA thanks all affiliated Clubs for their continued partnership and commitment to fostering a culture of respect, inclusion and sportsmanship throughout the Association.
The new directive takes effect immediately and applies across all BDAFA competitions, finals series and Association sanctioned events.
A copy of the full BDAFA Zero Tolerance Directive is available here.
BDAFA Safe and Respectful Football Environment Directive
Together, we can continue to ensure football remains a safe, welcoming and enjoyable experience for everyone.
