My 7-year-old son Harrison was coward-punched by a teammate during a junior footy game,  a teammate who had been bullying him for weeks because of his differences. Harrison was struck in the back of the head, became visibly distressed, and began crying. In response, the coach dragged him across the field, then lifted him over his shoulder, all while Harrison was crying and begging to be let go.

That same coach went on to make discriminatory remarks about Harrison’s disability, and verbally abused me, his mother, in front of the entire team.

When I spoke up, I was removed from the parent WhatsApp group without any communication or explanation, in what appears to be a retaliatory and discriminatory act. Harrison was also removed from the team lineup, while the coach remains in his role with no consequences.

I have reported everything, including the physical assault, the coach’s behaviour, and broader safety breaches to the Commission for Children and Young People (CCYP), the Department of Justice WWCC Unit, the NFNL, and AFL Child Safety. Not one of these bodies has taken meaningful action.

I have also uncovered that, that volunteers at the club who work directly with children — including entering change rooms — are not having their Working With Children Checks (WWCCs) properly verified or recorded by the club which is a clear breach of Child Safe Standards.

To date, the club president has refused to speak with me, despite repeated requests.

But Harrison is not the only child being failed.

Since sharing our story, I’ve been flooded with messages from other families, parents, carers, and players — all describing the same culture of bullying, exclusion, silence and cover-up, especially when it comes to neurodivergent children. Many have told me this has been happening for decades, with no real change — just more broken trust, more children hurt, and more families pushed aside when they speak out.

This is not just a club issue. It’s a systemic failure and it’s been ignored for too long.

We’re calling for urgent reform in junior sport — starting with:

• True inclusion of children with additional needs in community sport
• Mandatory training for all clubs on inclusion, disability, and neurodivergent children
• WWCC Reform — with clear accountability, audits, and real penalties for breaches
• Immediate removal of coaches who act aggressively or harm children
• Independent, third-party auditing of junior sports clubs to ensure transparency and prevent cover-ups

Children deserve more than medals — they deserve safety, dignity, and belonging.

Let Harrison’s story be the last time a child is harmed, dismissed, and failed by a system that protects adults instead of kids.

Please sign and share.

Because if this can happen to my son, it can happen to anyone’s.

Hope in Colour Advocacy

Mum to Harrison — and advocate for every child being failed by systems.