Sports clubs in Wales are supporting NSPCC’s Keep Your Child Safe in Sport Week

An NSPCC campaign to raise awareness of safeguarding in sport is being supported by clubs, organizations and politicians in Wales, including the Football Association of Wales, Dragons RFC and Welsh Athletics.

Sports clubs, teams, parents and carers across the UK are encouraged to take part in Keeping Your Child Safe in Sport Week, which is run by the NSPCC’s Child Protection in Sport Unit (CPSU) and takes place between 7 and 11 October.

As part of a year-round safeguarding campaign, the week aims to raise awareness of safeguarding in sports and activity clubs and create a safer sporting environment for children across the UK. It was launched with a star-studded event in Manchester.

Celebrities and clubs supporting this year’s campaign include Alan Shearer, Olympic basketball player and star of BBC’s The Traitors Fay Greaves and Olympic weightlifter Chloe Whylie.

In Wales it is supported by the players and staff of Dragons RFC, Welsh Athletics, Football Association of Wales, Welsh Rugby Union, Weightlifting Wales, Deputy Senedd Leader of Plaid Cymru, Delyth Jewell MS and Newport East MS John Griffiths.

Ben Carter, captain at Dragons RFC, said:

“We are proud to show our support for Keeping Your Child Safe in Sport week and are calling on clubs across Gwent to get behind this important campaign.

“Raising awareness of safety in sport and clubs is vital as we strive to create the safest environment for children to enjoy sport across Gwent.

“The ‘Team Huddle’ idea is also an easy and great way for clubs to bring everyone together to raise awareness and create meaningful discussions around safeguarding.”

Rhian Wilkinson, Senior Cymru WNT manager, said:

“Football has given me so much, and my kids’ club and my first experience there is where it all started.

“As such, I am proud to support the NSPCC’s Keeping your Child Safe in Sport campaign. Every child deserves a fun and positive sporting experience and together we can create an environment where everyone feels safe, empowered and supported.”

The aim of this year’s campaign is to focus on the importance of building stronger, more inclusive communities around sports and activity clubs, encouraging parents and carers to look after not only the young people participating, but also their families, and to help anyone who needs it. support to get it faster.

The top concerns adults reported to the NSPCC helpline in 2023/2024 regarding a sporting environment were sexual abuse and exploitation and emotional abuse.

Delyth Jewell MS, deputy Senedd leader of Plaid Cymru, said:

“I am pleased to be able to support the work of NSPCC Cymru’s Child Protection in Sport Units.

“I have submitted an opinion statement to the Senedd in support of their work, which recognizes the importance of keeping children safe and building safe communities for children within sports clubs.

“I hope that as many people as possible across Wales will get involved in Keeping Your Child Safe in Sport Week. Culture and sport are all vital expressions of our history and social traditions, as well as our future ambitions, so our children and young people should feel safe taking part in these activities.”

Newport East Senedd member John Griffiths said:

“Ensuring that children are safe from abuse and harm in all environments they encounter is a huge priority, and it is pleasing to see clubs in Newport committed to creating a safe and welcoming environment in which children can participate in sports.

“By taking part in the Keeping Your Child Safe in Sport campaign, sports clubs everywhere can help create an atmosphere open to discussion about how to keep children safe in sport, and how everyone can work together as a team to keep every child safe keep. .

“I know several people raised the issue at my recent Active Newport Conference about the best way to keep children safe in sport, so I’m pleased that there are organizations like the NSPCC who are working so hard to raise the profile and increase understanding of how we can address this critical issue.”

Simon Roach, Safeguarding Lead at Weightlifting Wales, said:

“Weightlifting Wales is delighted to once again fully participate in the NSPCC’s Keeping Your Child Safe in Sport campaign.

“The national governing body fully promotes and supports licensed clubs in creating safe, inclusive and enjoyable sporting environments for young people. This shared campaign provides a fantastic opportunity to continue to work closely with our clubs, working together as a community of strength and ensuring that the safety and wellbeing of young people is at the heart of everything we do.”

The CEO of the NSPCC, Sir Peter Wanless, said:

“By taking part in this year’s campaign, clubs are showing that they are serious about creating a safe, inclusive and enjoyable sporting environment for young people.

“Every year, Keeping Your Child Safe in Sport Week goes from strength to strength, and it provides an opportunity to think about how we can all work together to ensure every child can participate in sport without harm.”

Through the Keeping Your Child Safe in Sport campaign, the CPSU aims to give parents and carers confidence in their role in keeping children safe, while helping clubs and teams understand how to promote a protective and inclusive environment.

As part of this initiative, clubs, coaches and parents are being urged to organize a ‘Team Huddle’ event – ​​a fun and informal gathering that brings together everyone involved in the sporting community to raise awareness and facilitate meaningful discussions around safeguarding create.

A Team Huddle can be part of an existing event, such as a club meeting, or it can be a standalone event designed to bring everyone together. There are free Team Huddle Event Packs available on the CPSU website, which contain a variety of resources to spark conversations about safeguarding.

The package includes a fun quiz and other activities, but clubs are encouraged to get creative. Whether the group invites parents to take part in a quiz, a sports day, a treasure hunt or even a barbecue, the emphasis is on connection, conversation and community.

Michelle North, head of the CPSU, added:

“Team Huddles are a brilliant way to bring people together and offer parents, coaches and club leaders the chance to connect in a relaxed environment.

“But they also serve an important purpose. These events open the door to crucial conversations about safeguarding, giving everyone involved the opportunity to reflect on their role in keeping children safe in sport.”

All clubs participating in Team Huddles can share their experiences on social media using the hashtag #SafeinSport and help spread the word about the importance of safeguarding practices and celebrating the efforts being made at grassroots level to protect young athletes.