By Suanne Waugh, PCA National Integrity Manager
Sport Integrity Australia has released the first annual results from its Hear me play: Youth perceptions of safety in sport survey, giving young participants a chance to have their voices heard about safety and experience in sport.
The study surveyed more than 1,000 young people aged 12–18 from across Australia in 2025 and will run annually over five years to help sport understand and improve the experiences of children and young people.
Despite coming from a wide range of sporting backgrounds, most young people report that they love and enjoy their sport, with friendship, fitness and having fun among the top reasons they participate. Supportive parents and positive encouragement were highlighted as key factors that make young athletes feel safe and confident in their sporting environments.
The survey also shines a spotlight on important areas where sports like Pony Club can continue to improve. Many respondents said they wanted better understanding of what inappropriate behaviours look like and when to speak up, as well as greater inclusion and accessibility in sport so that more young people feel welcome and stay involved over the long term.
These early insights provide an important baseline for safeguarding priorities in sport, and underline how crucial it is for all of us — parents, coaches, officials and volunteers — to listen to young voices, promote positive behaviour and foster safe, respectful environments where everyone can enjoy the ride.
As we begin the 2026 year it is a good time to remember that everything we do should promote a safe, fun and fair pony club for everyone to enjoy.
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