Be a Better Bystander in the Sporting Community

Saturday 18 April 2026 | 11:00 AM

Join us for a free bystander training workshop tailored to community and sporting groups, focused on building safer, more respectful and inclusive sporting environments – on and off the field.

This practical and engaging session will equip participants with the tools and confidence to recognise when something isn’t right and respond with care, curiosity and community responsibility – not confrontation. Using The Be There Group framework, the workshop empowers everyday people to identify and step in safely and confidently when they see, hear or sense behaviour that may cause harm.

Designed specifically for sporting communities, the training will explore how clubs, teams and individuals can support a culture of gender equality, inclusion and respect, and the vital role bystanders play in preventing domestic and family violence, bullying, sexual harassment and racism. Participants will gain practical tools to challenge deep‑rooted attitudes, beliefs and behaviours that normalise harm, and to foster accountability and psychological safety within their clubs – or as spectators within the sporting community.

This workshop is suitable for players, coaches, volunteers, committee members and supporters (particularly parents and grandparents), and will include discussion and real‑world examples relevant to sporting settings.

What you'll learn

• Lead from any role – understand leadership as a shared responsibility and recognise the influence every person has within their sporting or community group
• Take bystander action – explore the bystander framework, overcome barriers to intervention and apply it in real‑world scenarios
• Respect always – identify bullying, sexual harassment and racism, including their legal definitions and impact on team culture
• Practise supportive accountability – respectfully call in behaviour, manage resistance, and respond to disclosures with care and confidence
• Understand domestic and family violence – recognise its forms and dynamics, including coercive control
• Prevent DFV – understand its gendered nature and how bystander action can contribute to prevention using the Be There Group Framework

This is a free community event, open to all, delivered in partnership with City of Gold Coast, Division 9 and The Be There Group.

A free pizza lunch and refreshments will be provided. Please register your attendance via Eventbrite for catering purposes.

Come along, build your confidence, and learn how you can be part of making our community safer – together.

For any further queries about the workshop, email division9@goldcoast.qld.gov.au

Getting there

Consider using public transport or active travel. Plan your trip with Translink's journey planner.

Parking may be limited. For metered parking, use the EasyPark app to start, end, and extend your parking direct from your phone to avoid fines. For more information visit City of Gold Coast's Parking page.