We are gathering church and youth communities, across the Uniting Church, to form a team to take to State Youth Games.

State Youth Games is a weekend sport and art event for high schoolers and young adults from across Victoria. We spend the June Long Weekend camping with thousands of people across Victoria and play a range of casual and competitive sports during the day. In the evening, we join in some epic night rallies and worship, with the chance to explore faith in community in a no-pressure environment.

Are you or your community interested in coming along for community and connection? Then register as a playing participant, or spectator, and get ready for a long weekend full of worship, games and friends.

Location: Lardner Park, Warragul VIC

Date: June 6 – June 9, 2025

Age Range: Year 7 and Up

Emergency & Indemnity Policy

Emergency Information
We’re committed to providing a fun and safe environment for all campers and leaders. In the case of an emergency, please carefully read the following policy. Camp includes a variety of activities that may involve, but are not limited to: tenting/camping accommodation, maintaining personal hygiene, communal eating, speaker and worship sessions, and both indoor and outdoor games/activities. It is understood that these activities may involve certain risks. By participating, you confirm that all information provided during registration is true and accurate.

For Participants Over 18:
By participating in the camp, you acknowledge that you are responsible for your own safety and well-being. In the event of injury or illness, you give consent for yourself to receive any medical treatment deemed necessary at any time during the camp, and accept responsibility for the payment of all medical and associated expenses arising. You further authorise the use of an ambulance if it is considered necessary.

For Participants Under 18:
In the event of injury or illness, the parent/guardian acknowledges that every effort will be made to contact the listed emergency contact in a timely manner. In the event of injury or illness, the parent/guardian gives consent for their child to receive medical treatment as deemed necessary at any time during the camp and authorises the use of an ambulance if required. The parent/guardian agrees to collect their child at short notice if needed for medical reasons. The parent/guardian also accepts responsibility for the payment of all medical and associated expenses arising from any medical treatment provided.

Indemnity Agreement
By participating in the camp, you (whether the participant is over or under 18) agree to indemnify and hold harmless the Uniting Church in Australia, and its affiliated church and youth communities, including volunteers and staff, from any and all claims or damages that may arise from the provision of emergency care, medical treatment, or any incidents that may occur during the course of the
event.

Image Release Policy

Image Release Information
By participating in events, activities, and services organised by Uniting Church VicTas Synod, and its affiliated church and youth communities, you consent to the use of photographs and/or video footage of yourself or your child (if under the age of 18) being taken during the State Youth Games event. These images may be used in various media formats, including but not limited to social media, websites, promotional materials, and printed publications.

For Participants Over 18:
By participating, you acknowledge and consent to the use of your image as described above.

For Participants Under 18:
The parent or legal guardian of a minor participant grants permission for photographs and/or video footage of the child to be used as described above.

Please be aware:
We, the Uniting Church VicTas Synod State Youth Games Team, will aim to monitor all photographs and/or video footage across the event, however, State Youth Games gathers church and youth communities from a diversity of denominations; we cannot control general photographs and/or video footage by other teams and/or church communities. We will make every effort to ensure and monitor that all images are handled appropriately to maintain the safety and dignity of all participants.

Code of Conduct - Participants aged 18 and over

Updated 26 January 2022.

SYG is a space for young to people spend time playing sport, camping, experiencing community, growing friendships, and meeting or reconnecting with Jesus. We hope to send you home from SYG having made some amazing and positive life-impacting memories, in one piece, and with a few dirty clothes from all that mud. So, to make sure that happens, here's what we need you to commit to.

1. SYG is a Christian event, and people come to worship and engage with God. People will do that in different ways, and everyone needs to be respectful of that, even if it's not your thing.

a. Everyone must also be respectful that not everyone is at SYG to worship God, and nobody will be forced to participate in anything that they are not comfortable doing.

2. SYG is an alcohol, drug, and smoke free event.

a. Medications must be given to your group's First Aider; they'll know what to do and give you instructions.

3. All participants must be under the supervision of a group leader at all times, and must not be left at venues alone.

4. Abide to all safety instructions and emergency evacuation plans and seek to practice sport, camping, and all activities in the safest manner possible.

5. Participate in sport in a manner which is respectful and encouraging of others

6. No swearing or slander on the sporting fields... or anywhere.

7. Show respect to all the venues we are a part of throughout the weekend, leaving them in condition than when you first arrived [or even better].

8. Adhere to curfew; all participants must be back at their group campsite by 11:45pm each night of the event. Lights out at midnight.

9. No mixed gendered camping.

a. Married couples exempt

10. Listen to the instruction of SYG leaders when asked.

11. All drivers must be registered with the SYG Admin office and adhere to the requirements of the SYG Driving Policy.

12. SYG involves participants of all ages. Participants who are 18 or older are expected to act in ways that are respectful and inclusive towards younger participants, particularly on the sporting field.

13. All persons at SYG who are 18 years old or older are required to hold a current Victorian Working With Children Check.

Failure to adhere to this Code of Conduct may result in you being removed from the event.

In Summary

Be respectful...

Towards yourself: It's a big weekend; drink lots of water, pack the right gear [its cold out there], know your limits, and go to bed early if necessary.

Towards your team: You may be best friends, or getting to know one another-either way, be kind. Cheer one another on, thank your team helpers and leaders for making this weekend happen, and seek to make others feel welcomed.

Towards your opponents: They are just like you, here to play sport and enjoy an awesome weekend away. Some will be sporting champions, and others are learning as they go. So play fair and play kind.

Towards the referees: Some are professionals, others are volunteers lending a hand, some may even be you! Play the whistle and have fun. If they slip up, chat to them after the game or during a break, and have a kind conversation that helps them understand, and then let it go. They might not be able to change a call they made fifteen minutes ago, and that's okay, but you can help the sport session run smoothly in the future.

Code of Conduct - Participants aged under 18

Updated 26 January 2022