A new State Government program is getting strong backing from well known names across football, cricket and rowing as part of an effort to help more children who have experienced trauma feel comfortable playing sport.
Calm, Connect, Coach is a free online training package designed for coaches, volunteers and club administrators. It gives practical guidance on how to support children who may find sporting environments overwhelming, from understanding trauma responses to creating calmer, more predictable routines on and off the field.
The resource features short videos with athletes including Adelaide Crows ruckman Reilly O’Brien, Port Adelaide AFLW players Shineah Goody and Matilda Scholz, SA Scorpions fast bowler Courtney Neale and top rowers Hamish Allan and Caroline McNally. Each speaks about recognising when a child is struggling and the small adjustments that can make sport feel safer for them.
The course breaks down topics such as how the brain reacts under stress, how sporting activities can support healing, and simple approaches to communication. Its creators say the aim is to give clubs the confidence to welcome young people who may otherwise feel hesitant or unsure about joining.
The training has already been piloted with the SA Cricket Association, Basketball SA, the Adelaide Football Club and Port Adelaide Football Club. Netball SA, Bike SA, the SANFL and the SA Sports Institute are also supporting the wider roll-out. It forms part of a joint plan between the Department for Child Protection and the Office for Recreation, Sport and Racing to support young people in care.
Child Protection Minister Katrine Hildyard said the program is about making sure every child feels they belong when they arrive at a club. She said many children who have experienced trauma can find the basic steps of joining a team daunting, and that volunteers play an important role in setting the tone.
Hildyard expressed deep appreciation for clubs and athletes who agreed to take part in the project, saying their involvement shows the broader sporting community recognises the need to create environments where all children feel supported. She added that the commitment from clubs will have a real impact on young people who rely on sport as a source of stability and connection.
Recreation, Sport and Racing Minister Rhiannon Pearce said sporting clubs already give children valuable opportunities to build confidence, form friendships and pick up life skills. Her view is that reducing barriers for those who feel unsure or anxious could determine whether they stick with a sport or walk away before they start. She said helping clubs become more approachable benefits both young people and the clubs themselves.
Reilly O’Brien said he was proud to lend his support, noting that every child deserves a chance to enjoy sport and feel part of a team. He said the course is about helping clubs gain the know-how to support kids who have been through difficult experiences and give them space to reach their potential.
The Government hopes Calm, Connect, Coach will be widely used by local sporting groups, especially those run by volunteers who want to support children but may feel uncertain about how to respond when a child shuts down, becomes overwhelmed or behaves in ways that reflect stress rather than misbehaviour.
By sharing real-world examples from athletes and administrators, the course aims to show that small, thoughtful changes to club culture and communication can make a considerable difference for children who are trying to build confidence and trust.
The initiative reflects growing awareness across the community sporting sector that trauma affects how children participate, and that supportive environments can help them stay engaged. While the program is designed for volunteers at all levels, the involvement of high-profile athletes has amplified interest and may encourage more clubs to take up the training.
Calm, Connect, Coach is freely available online and can be completed in short sections, making it accessible for busy volunteers. The Government hopes that by equipping more clubs with practical guidance, more children will feel safe enough to explore sport and find new sources of connection and joy.
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