Lets just say that something big is in the works that involves police checks......

An intelligent coach is one who protects themselves as much as they protect the kids. I asked my team managers to make sure that they always in change rooms when I was with kids and made sure I was never alone with a child.
Be protective and be seen to be protective.
Just common sense.

They do only confirm the past history and not the potential to offend. Supervision and being smart is the key. It's a two way street as well because it is very easy to smear someone too. Making sure an adult/child is not alone together is important.

Unfortunately, a minor % of people make it difficult for the overwhelming majority.

As someone noted, basketball is not a child minding service

In my opinion, today's advertiser is a reminder how deep basketball's collective head is in the sand. Some, not all, clubs are only too happy to have coaches rather than evaluate the suitability of those coaches.

How many of these pedophiles actually have a previous conviction, so having everyone police checks does not solve this at all. What about team managers? They are with kids just a much and nothing is done for them to be checked? I just think that the checks do not always acheive what they need to. Unfortuantely for people like the one in the Advertiser today they make 99% of the coaches jump through hoops to become a volunteer coach with unnecessary checks

All coaches at my district club are 100% police checked.

At my social club, one of the coaches had a previous drug possession conviction - but, he was 18 at the time and doing what a majority of kids do. He did step down though, and hey we now know where to get some grass if we need it.

Rather than just police checks, some other background check may be helpful - but what to check for without discrimination?

Last I checked, Woolies didn't stock Hindsight in a can.

Background checks? You can not be serious? Again you can search and search but most of these people do not have any history of their disgusting behaviour. And are you sure Jack that every coach is police checked at your club?

An overwhelming number of child molestors have been molested themselves. While being molested does not mean you will become one, the overwhelming proportion of molestors have been and there are certain behavioural profile tests that can be used to identify high risk individuals.

oh, I yes, I have seen the spreadsheet, they are all completed the token police check.

I'd like to see the definition of 'police check'.

Something is in the works in relation to 'vulnerable' people, this includes children, the elderly and the mentally challenged.

It's a pretty sad indication of the state of society that coaches have to take such measures.

"An overwhelming number of child molestors have been molested themselves"

Massive privacy laws regarding releasing information on someone's childhood. Pretty sure u would also bring in discrimination laws for those that may never do it.

Police checks are a complete crock but they are the only thing we have to check ppls history. Perhaps Coaches or others could be given a Appropriate Behaviour guide book.
Lets face it plenty of ppl wouldnt know your not allowed to hug a crying child now days.