AusLeisure

Matthew James Long, the former co-owner of the Noosa Box Office gym on the Sunshine Coast has been fined $1500 for not holding a Working with Children Check 'Blue Card'.

Long, aged 34, yesterday pleaded guilty in the Noosa Magistrates Court to one count of not having clearance required to carry on a regulated business.

As reported by the Sunshine Coast Daily, Queensland Police Prosecutor Allison Johnstone told the Court that between June 2020 and May 2021, Long had coached children at his gym without applying for a Blue Card.

The Court heard adults and children, including individual children and school classes, attended sessions at the gym.

Long was the co-director of Noosa Box Office with Israel Kani who was sentenced for a similar offence earlier in 2023 and fined $1500.

It is understood the business has since changed owners and Long and Kani are no longer involved.

Sergeant Johnstone said unlike Kani, Long had been directly involved and had contact with children in the boxing ring.

The Court heard there was nothing “unsatisfactory” about Long’s behaviour with the children and other trainers and teachers had been present during weekly lessons.

Sergeant Johnstone said in May, 2021, police searched Long’s house and he was arrested for other matters, some which occurred at the Noosa Box Office.

She advised that when he was charged for operating the business without a Blue Card, Long had been on bail for other “serious indictable matters."

The Court was told Long was previously convicted in Queensland of common assault, assault occasioning bodily harm and wilful damage in 2020, for an incident which also occurred at the Noosa Box Office.

Magistrate Chris Callaghan fined Long $1500 - the same as Kani - and a conviction was recorded.

Queensland's Blue Card Services
Blue Card Services administers Queensland’s Working with Children Check, known as the the 'Blue Card'.

The system regulates activities that are essential to children’s lives including childcare, education, sport, cultural activities and foster care.

The system is regulated by two pieces of legislation: the Working with Children (Risk Management and Screening) Act 2000 (the Act) and the Working with Children (Risk Management and Screening) Regulation 2020.

Click here for more information.

Image: Noosa Box Office.

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