Safe Sport Regional Hub Feasibility Study

Foster safeguarding in sport and address interpersonal violence and abuse in the Pacific region.

The Safe Sport Regional Hub Initiative is a foundational initiative led by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) to strengthen safe sport initiatives at the local level – by the region, for the region. The University of Queensland (UQ), in partnership with regional and international stakeholders is leading the Safe Sport Regional Hub Feasibility Study for the Pacific region.

The Pacific region, known for its vibrant sports culture and strong community connections, faces unique challenges in implementing safeguarding systems. Geographic dispersion, limited resources, and the complexity of cultural contexts present significant barriers to ensuring athlete safety. The Safe Sport Regional Hub initiative seeks to address these challenges by designing a culturally grounded, trauma-informed, sustainable framework that promotes safeguarding in sport across the region.

The feasibility study aims to evaluate the current state of safeguarding systems, identify gaps, and co-develop actionable strategies to operationalise a Pacific Safe Sport Regional Hub. The initiative will leverage expertise from UQ and its partners, combining global best practices with locally contextualised solutions to create a comprehensive safeguarding ecosystem for the Pacific.

**Professor Deborah Terry AC**
Vice-Chancellor and President, The University of Queensland.

“UQ is proud to be entrusted with this important project for our Pacific neighbours, and I am confident it will make a difference not just in the lead-up to 2032, but for decades to come. As an institution, we’ve considered this to be a Games edition for Oceania from our initial support for the Brisbane project.

This work is wholly consistent with our ongoing commitment to support capacity building, knowledge sharing and collaboration in the region. We look forward to partnering with the IOC, government agencies and organisations across the Pacific on how we can ensure the safest possible environment for athletes.”

Pacific Region Advisory Council

About

The Pacific Region Advisory Council (PAC) plays a pivotal role in ensuring the success and sustainability of the Safe Sport Hub initiative. It will provide strategic advice and critical analysis to pressure-test the study’s methodology, assumptions, and findings. This 'sober second thought' approach will serve as a quality assurance mechanism, ensuring that the evidence base remains robust and credible without undermining its foundations.

Critical Friend Role

The PAC will act as a constructive, independent voice in the project, offering critical feedback and alternative perspectives. This role ensures the rigor and relevance of the findings while fostering an environment of collaboration and shared accountability.

Credibility and Diversity

Comprising representatives with diverse identities, experiences, and expertise across countries and languages, the PAC enhances the study’s credibility. This diversity ensures the inclusion of varied viewpoints and local knowledge, creating a more robust and inclusive framework for safeguarding in sport.

Network Access and Engagement

PAC members bring unparalleled access to regional and local networks, fostering connections with key stakeholders, including athletes, policymakers, and community leaders. This networked approach enhances stakeholder engagement, ensuring that the project is community-led and rooted in Pacific realities.

Responsibilities

The Pacific Region Advisory Council (PAC) will provide strategic guidance throughout the feasibility study. Its core responsibilities include:

Reviewing methodologies, assumptions, and findings to ensure rigor and credibility.
Offering recommendations for stakeholder engagement, governance frameworks, and operational strategies.
Acting as a critical friend to challenge and refine the project approach while safeguarding the evidence base.

Guiding principles

The principles below serve as a foundation for the PAC’s operations and interactions, ensuring alignment with the Safe Sport Hub’s mission and the unique needs of the region.

Cultural Sensitivity and Respect

Acknowledge and respect the diverse cultural, linguistic, and social contexts of Pacific communities.
Promote culturally grounded approaches to safeguarding that reflect local traditions, values, and ways of life.
Advocate for equitable representation of all genders, abilities, and cultural backgrounds in the PAC and project activities.

Community-Led Collaboration

Prioritise engagement across the Pacific region by leveraging local knowledge and relationships of council members.
Ensure co-design of initiatives with input from local communities, sports organisations, and athletes.
Build on the Pacific’s shared strengths, including its strong sense of community and passion for sport.

Survivor-Centred Focus

Prioritise the safety, well-being and rights of those affected by abuse in the context of sport, aligning with the Do No Harm approach.
Promote the agency of survivors through meaningful engagement with athletes with lived experience of abuse in sport.
Emphasise trauma-informed practices in all actions and recommendations.

Transparency and Accountability

Regularly report on progress and decisions to the IOC Pacific Safe Sport Hub team.
Ensure accountability to local communities through regular communication about the organisational structure and activities of the council.

Sustainability and Capacity Building

Focus on building long-term capacity within Pacific communities to manage and sustain the Safe Sport Hub.
Promote strategies that empower local organisations and leaders to take ownership of safeguarding initiatives.

Collaboration Across Sectors

Encourage partnerships between sporting and non-sporting organisations, government agencies, and NGOs to create a holistic safeguarding ecosystem.
Leverage existing regional networks to maximise impact and resource efficiency.

Evidence-Based Decision-Making

Council members share knowledge and experiences to inform recommendations and decision-making processes.
Engage with relevant external data and evidence provided to the council to inform recommendations and decision-making processes.

Commitment to Innovation

Foster creative and adaptive approaches to overcoming challenges unique to the Pacific region, including relevant digital technologies.

Theoretical Grounding

Employ relevant theoretical frameworks to inform PAC recommendations, included but not limited to, public health approaches, human rights, and trauma informed care.