Child protection in sport made huge strides forward last night as nine top Welsh sports organisations were applauded for their commitment to keeping children safe.
Tuesday night saw several top sporting bodies commended for achieving the NSPCC’s child protection in sports standards at an event hosted by Welsh Minister for Housing, Regeneration & Heritage Huw Lewis.
The successful sports recognised for their commitment to safeguarding and protecting children are; Cricket Wales, Hockey Wales, Swim Wales, Welsh Judo Association, Welsh Athletics, Welsh Rugby Union, Football Association Wales, Golf Development Wales and Welsh Gymnastics.
The successful sports have, over the last 12 months been working towards achieving standards within the national child protection framework. The framework provides practical support for sporting organisations and groups throughout Wales to help raise child protection standards within their sport.
Minister for Housing, Regeneration and Heritage Huw Lewis said: “The safeguarding of children is a key priority for the Welsh Government, not just in sport but in all aspects of life. Congratulations to the nine National Governing bodies of Sport who have achieved level two of the framework for safeguarding and protecting children in and through sport. “
Head of the NSPCC Child Protection in Sport Unit Anne Tiivas said: “The CPSU recognises and commends all these sports for the substantial amount of time and effort that has been put in to complete the Safeguarding Standards and to ensure children involved in sport in Wales have a safer and more enjoyable experience.”
Professor Laura McAllister, Chair Sport Wales said: “ At Sport Wales our aspiration is to get every child hooked on sport for life and in order to achieve this we need to work with our partners to ensure that sport is both safe and enjoyable. In everything we do the safety of children and young people’s needs to be paramount, whilst also ensuring that sport continues to provide appropriate challenge in order to develop skills.
“I am pleased that we are able to celebrate the achievements of the governing bodies that have reached this standard, but we realise that we have to continue to be vigilant. We have developed a very productive working relationship with NSPCC Cymru/Wales on this issue and we look forward to continuing to develop our work with them to make sport in Wales safe for all children and young people.”
Peter Hybart, Director of Cricket Wales said; “We are pleased that our child welfare processes and procedures have been recognised by the NSPCC as fit for purpose. Across Wales many thousands of boys and girls are involved in cricket throughout the year and their safety and welfare is of paramount importance to everyone.”
During the event young people were presented with artwork which they designed to create the certificate awarded to each sport for their achievements. WRU and Ospreys player Ryan Jones in his capacity as NSPCC Cymru/Wales ambassador presented first, second and third prizes to two of the lucky winners during the event.
First prize – Mairwen Sharpe, aged eight from Wrexham
Second prize – Theo Gear, aged eight from Bridgend
Third prize – Kate Workman, aged 10 from Miskin
