Sam Warburton and Swansea City FC back NSPCC campaign to make sports clubs safer for children

• Less than four in ten parents in the UK* actively sought to understand a sports club’s safeguarding procedures before allowing their child to join
• Some sports clubs are also not providing parents with information about their safeguarding procedures
• Wales Rugby League and Welsh Triathlon join Former Lions captain Sam Warburton and Swansea City FC in supporting the NSPCC’s Parents in Sport Week (October 5-11)
• Olympic gymnast Amy Tinkler will join an online webchat to look at how parents, coaches and young gymnasts can support each other and feel safe in sport.

WALES rugby legend Sam Warburton and Swansea City have backed an NSPCC campaign to raise awareness of safeguarding standards in UK sports clubs and improve safety measures.

New research found less than four in ten parents in the UK* actively sought to understand the safeguarding procedures of their local sports/ leisure clubs before signing their child up to take part in practice sessions, matches and competitions.

An online YouGov survey*, conducted on behalf of the NSPCC showed that 38% of parents actively tried to find out whether basic safety measures were in place before allowing their child to join a club.

Further cause for concern is that 38% of parents* said they had either never received or could not recall whether they had been sent any information about safeguarding measures by their child’s sports/ leisure club once they were a member.

Tackling these issues and encouraging positive parental involvement in youth sports is the aim of the NSPCC’s ‘Parents in Sport Week’, which launches today (Oct 5).

Former Lions captain Sam Warburton and Swansea City FC join Wales Rugby League and Welsh Triathlon in backing the campaign, which calls on parents to make ‘The Sports Parents Promise’ – an online commitment which helps them choose a safer club for their children.

Premier League clubs Liverpool and Everton, and sports presenter Charlie Webster, are also supporting the annual event.

‘The Sports Parents Promise’ also encourages parents to be a positive influence when watching their child’s games from the side lines.

In a statement, Swansea City FC said: “We all have a role to play in keeping children safe when they are playing sport whether we’re a parent, grandparent or sports provider.

“The NSPCC’s Sports Parents Promise is a good way for parents to make sure they are supporting their children’s sport activities in a positive way and asking the right safeguarding questions of their club.

“We’re supporting the charity’s Parents in Sport Week because safeguarding is a priority and it’s really important that we continue to talk openly at all levels of the game about how children are properly protected by the adults around them.”

Laura Whapham, Senior Consultant for the NSPCC’s Child Protection in Sport Unit in Wales, said: “Sport is a huge part of childhood with many young people spending countless happy hours practicing and playing and making new friends.

“Checking on a club’s safeguarding procedures before signing up will give parents the peace of mind that their child is in a safe and secure environment.

“That’s why we’re encouraging parents and sports clubs across the country to make our Sports Parents Promise, because it’s essential that everyone plays their part in protecting children and help make every sporting experience a positive one.”

Every sports club and activity provider should have a welfare or safeguarding officer as well as a safeguarding policy and the NSPCC is encouraging every parent to find out who to contact in their children’s sport if they have any questions or concerns.

Former British Lions and Wales rugby captain Sam Warburton said: “For many young people, sport plays a huge part in their childhood, as it did for me, and now as a father myself I recognise how important it is that any child or parent who has concerns about safety, wellbeing or potential abuse is able to speak out and seek support.

“Safeguarding isn’t always a priority for parents when deciding which sports club their child will join, often overshadowed by a team’s success rate, subscription cost and the experiences of other families. If we are to make sport safer for our children we need to make it easier for parents to know how they can support a safer sports environment and give them the confidence and knowledge to act when needed.”

Gymnastics Helpline and online panel discussion

Over the last few months the NSPCC has been working with the British Athletes Commission in response to concerns being raised within gymnastics. It has set up a free, confidential and independent helpline as a safe space for anyone involved in gymnastics to voice any concerns or issues they may have.

As part of the charity’s activities during Parents in Sport Week there will be a special webinar on Sunday, October 11, involving gymnasts Amy Tinkler and Mimi-Isabella Cesar, a coach, a psychologist and a member of the NSPCC’s Child Protection in Sport Unit who together will be looking at how parents, coaches and young gymnasts can support each other and feel safe in sport. Places in the online audience can be booked online, and there is also a link to make a voluntary donation to support Childline.

The event is available for all to join and will be facilitated by sports presenter and NSPCC Campaigner for Childhood Charlie Webster.

To keep up to date with the latest news from the NSPCC’s Child Protection in Sport Unit, follow @TheCPSU on Twitter. To support the NSPCC’s Parents in Sport week on social media, follow the campaign using #ParentsInSportWeek2020.

Anyone concerned about a child can contact the NSPCC Helpline for advice on 0808 800 5000. Adult victims of non-recent sexual abuse can also get in touch for support.

Childline is available for young people on 0800 1111 or at www.childline.org.uk