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Community sport safety and integrity body Play by the Rules has announced the appointment of Tom Dixon as its new National Manager.

Dixon joins Play by the Rules from Cricket Australia where he was National Community Policy Lead responsible for supporting community cricket clubs, local associations and member associations to comply with the national safeguarding children and young people framework and member protection policies. During this time, he worked with people at all levels, including volunteer child safety officers, state administrators and Cricket Australia’s legal and integrity team to promote a culture of child safety in cricket.

Prior to this he was the Participation and Innovation Manager at Vicsport where he led a diverse range of projects aimed at growing participation in Victorian sport through inclusion and diversity, innovation and child safety.

He is also a volunteer with La Trobe University Football Club where he was formerly the club president and now contributes as the strategy officer helping implement a five year strategic plan.

Joining Education Officer Nadine Sadler in the Play by the Rules team, Dixon states “I’m really excited to join the team at Play by the Rules and Sport Integrity Australia.

“Play by the Rules is such a valuable resource for community sport and the wider sports industry – one I used myself on many occasions over the years. The events, articles and online learning are incredibly useful for people at all levels, especially volunteers.

“Australia’s sport participation strategy, Play Well, defines participation as creating safe, welcoming, inclusive spaces where everyone belongs and thrives. This is why Play by the Rules exists - to empower volunteers who want sport to be inclusive, safe and fair for everyone.”

“I look forward to working with our multiple partners, the Australian Sport Commission, state and territory governments, human rights commissions, the eSafety Commissioner and NSW Office of the Children’s Guardian, to enhance the excellent work of this platform.”

Play by the Rules was first developed by the South Australian Department for Sport and Recreation in 2001 as an interactive education and information website on discrimination, harassment and child protection in sport. Over the years, as more agencies have seen the need to promote Play by the Rules, they have joined as partners and helped by contributing funds, content and in-kind support.

Play by the Rules is now a collaboration between Sport Integrity Australia, Sport Australia, the Australian Human Rights Commission, all state and territory departments of sport and recreation, all state and territory anti-discrimination and human rights agencies, the Office of the Children's Guardian (NSW) and the Anti-Discrimination Board of NSW.

These partners promote Play by the Rules through their networks, along with their own child safety, anti-discrimination and inclusion programs.

Image: Tom Dixon. Credit: LinkedIn.

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