TALKING POINT
Are we doing enough to safeguard young athletes? Recent allegations and revelations of sexual abuse in football have raised serious concerns around the safety of children in all sports. Tom Walker asked the experts for their thoughts on this serious topic
L
ast November, English football
Those to have suff ered abuse included
can potentially be misused by individuals
was shocked when former player
players who made it to the ver y top
looking to manipulate young athletes.
Andy Woodward spoke publicly
of the game – such as former England
about the sexual abuse he had
strikers David White and Paul Stewart.
suffered as a young footballer. Woodward
The revelations resulted in a renewed
The government is in the process of a duty of care review – headed by Dame Tanni Grey-Thompson – that aims to
recounted how, during his formative years,
focus on how talented young athletes
develop a comprehensive plan for how
he had been preyed on by youth coach and
are at a heightened risk of abuse – due to
government and the sporting system can
scout Barry Bennell, who had the trust of
factors such as travelling away from home
more effectively look after people who take
not only Woodward, but his family and the
and having to rely on coaches, trainers and
part in grassroots sport. While the sector
club he was associated with at the time.
scouts for their safety. The adults who take
waits for the report to be published, Sports
Sadly, Woodward’s story was followed
on these roles at grassroots level can be
Management asked how organisations are
by a number of other players coming out
valuable role models to children, but the
currently approaching safeguarding and
with their own stories of exploitation.
admiration and level of authority they hold
whether there is more that sport could do.
independent,
line with legislation and FA regulations. More
confidential support
than 35,000 people go through The FA’s
from professionals.
safeguarding children awareness workshop
In conjunction
or tailored training every season, and we
Reading Andy Woodward’s story in The
with the Premier
require every club or league with affiliated
Guardian was heartbreaking and we applaud
League, English
teams who are under 18, to have a named,
his immense courage in coming forward to
Football League
trained designated safeguarding officer,
speak about the horrific abuse he suffered.
and County FAs, we
who has been criminal record checked.
Barry Bennell remains permanently suspended
have been working to build fun and safe
We have a section on our website with
from football, in line with our procedures.
Sue Ravenlaw Head of equality and safeguarding The Football Association
environments in which children and young
important information on how to report
The FA takes all matters of safeguarding
people can participate. The FA and the
any concerns about a child’s welfare
and child protection seriously. We’ve worked
football bodies absolutely do not tolerate
in football. Reports can be made via
with the NSPCC for 16 years and we know
any form of abuse or bullying in football.
designated safeguarding officers, direct to
how important it is for victims of abuse
Criminal record checks are required for
to be guided to where they can receive
those in regulated activity with children, in
38 Issue 131 May / June 2017
the professionals who work at The FA or via statutory agencies and the NSPCC. sportsmanagement.co.uk