Sussex football calls on parents to help make clubs safer for children
It is asking them to sign a pledge during the NSPCC's Parents in Sport Week
The Sussex County FA is backing an NSPCC campaign to make sports clubs safer for children.
During Parents in Sport Week (5-11 October) , Sussex FA is asking parents to sign an online pledge, to raise awareness of safeguarding standards in UK sports clubs and improve safety measures.
An online YouGov survey, conducted on behalf of the NSPCC, showed that less than four out of ten parents - 38% - actively tried to find out whether basic safety measures were in place before allowing their child to join a club.
The survey also found 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 club once they were a member.
Sussex County FA is joining Premier League clubs Liverpool FC, Newcastle United and Everton, former Lions captain Sam Warburton and sports presenter Charlie Webster in supporting the campaign this week.
The online pledge - 'The Sports Parents Promise' - also encourages parents to be a positive influence when watching their child's games from the side lines.
Sandra Redhead, Designated Safeguarding Manager at the Sussex County FA, said:
“Parents play a fundamental role in involving their children in sport and the sacrifices they make in order to allow their children to partake, such as giving up time or standing in the pouring rain to support their child, often go unnoticed. We thank you for this.
“We look to work with the parents to ensure that safeguards are fully embedded in football clubs and events that their children attend. Parents are often those first eyes and ears to notice concerns and by working together we can provide those essential safeguards to keep children safe from harm.”
Michelle North, Director of the NSPCC's Child Protection in Sport Unit, 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."
The NSPCC says every sports club and activity provider should have a welfare or safeguarding officer as well as a safeguarding policy.
It is encouraging every parent to find out who to contact 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."
Meanwhile, the NSPCC has been working with the British Athletes Commission over 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.
On Sunday (11 October) it is hosting a special webinar with gymnasts Amy Tinkler and Mimi-Isabella Cesar, a coach, a psychologist and a member of the NSPCC's CPSU (Child Protection in Sport Unit) who 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 presented by Sports Presenter and NSPCC Campaigner for Childhood Charlie Webster.
Charlie said: "It's vital that any child or parent who has concerns about safety, wellbeing or potential abuse is able to speak out and seek support.
"By supporting 'Parents in Sport Week' and making the 'Sports Parents Promise', you can help ensure your child and every other child is properly protected by their clubs, and by sharing the details of the campaign on social media, you can help spread the word about the campaign."
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.