Youth teams welcome Scottish FA child protection announcement

Youth football teams are welcoming plans from the Scottish FA to introduce new child protection measures.

The five-year strategy unveiled yesterday aims to transform child protection in football across the country.

It is called 'Getting It Right for Every Child in Scottish Football' and in it the governing body have outlined key objectives with the goal of having a safe and inclusive environment for all.

It comes in the wake of a 2018 report which found Scottish football has not always been a safe place for some young people.

Craig Robertson from Bellfield Boys Club said: "The SFA has to show that the onus is on them to provide the relevant support to the grass roots clubs in order to deliver on this strategy.

"There are literally thousands of grass roots volunteers who probably all have their own ideas about the best ways to protect and nurture young children so having one clear strategy from the governing body will be a big help.

"It cannot be simply a box ticking exercise - the SFA need to ensure they follow through in everything they've set out to do through support to the clubs, coaches, the coaching pathway and the coach education programme"

Ian Maxwell, Scottish FA Chief Executive: “As Scotland’s national sport, we have known for a long time about the positive impact football can have on children and young people. It can impact on all of the national indicators of a child’s wellbeing — that she or he is safe, healthy, achieving, nurtured, active, respected, responsible and included.

“Above all our children and young people should love being involved in football, enjoying and having fun in whatever way they choose to participate. This can only come about if they feel, and are, safe.

“In 2016 the Scottish FA commissioned an independent review into Sexual Abuse in Scottish Football. The Interim Report, published in 2018, reported that football had not always been a safe place for some of the children and young people involved in our game.

“The recommendations highlighted that the safety and wellbeing of children and young people in our sport needed to be prioritised at every level of the game. As a Board we are extremely grateful to everyone who took part in the Independent Review and who has therefore provided the catalyst for the transformational change that this strategy seeks to achieve.

“The Scottish FA Board is pleased to introduce this five-year strategy for Scottish football and we extend our thanks to all those who took part in its construction. We look forward to receiving and scrutinising updates on its implementation and to fulfilling our leadership role across the game in this essential area of Scottish football."