Abuse probe sets sights on sports clubs

The child abuse royal commission has set its sights on sporting clubs and associations.

The commission is urging anyone who was abused while in the care of a sporting club or association to come forward, as it investigates how institutions responded to such cases.

"Whether you were abused yourself, you know of a child who was, or you have any information about the sexual abuse of a child in a sporting club, we would like to hear from you," the commission's chief executive Philip Reed said on Tuesday.

Mr Reed said the commission already had some information concerning child sexual abuse within Australian sporting clubs, but wanted to get the full picture.

At this stage, no public hearing into sporting clubs has been announced.

Victims who come forward have been assured their identities will be protected, and they won't be compelled to give evidence if they don't want to.