Keeping Your Child Safe in Sport is a national, year-round campaign run by the NSPCC Child Protection in Sport Unit (NSPCC CPSU) which aims to raise awareness of the important role parents play in keeping their child safe and happy in sport.

To celebrate this year’s campaign, the NSPCC CPSU has launched a new film called My No 1 Fan featuring real families, talking about what positive parental behaviour and support means to them and how negative behaviour can impact children’s enjoyment of sport.

At Burgess Hill RFC our priority is enabling all children to enjoy playing rugby in a safe, fun and supportive environment. Our coaches worked together during pre-season to develop approaches to training that are child-centred and focus on the RFU core values of Teamwork, Respect, Enjoyment, Discipline and Sportsmanship (TREDS).

At the start of the season coaches from every Mini and Junior age group also attended Play It Safe training with the RFU. The training focusing on the role of coaches and the club community in ensuring children are safeguarded and appropriately supported through their involvement with the rugby club.

We have also recently updated our safeguarding policies and code of conduct – focused on creating a supportive environment where children are safe and supported to enjoy developing as a rugby player.

If you have any questions about the club’s approach to safeguarding or have any questions/ concerns please do get in touch with the club safeguarding team:

Club Safeguarding Officer, Shelley McComiskey: safeguarding@bhrfc.co.uk and Safeguarding Assistant, Beth Leeming: safeguardingassistant@bhrfc.co.uk .

This year’s Keeping Your Child Safe in Sport campaign will focus on the following 3 areas:

Getting involved
Parents and carers play an important role in influencing their child's enjoyment and experience of sport through their feedback, actions and support.

Being supportive
Sport can be an emotional experience for children, their adults, and coaches. Feedback from parents and carers greatly influences how a child perceives their ability, enjoys their sport, and feels motivated to continue participating.

Keeping children safe
It's important that parents and carers feel confident to raise any worries or concerns they may have at their child's sports club or activity.

To find out more about being your child’s biggest supporter and how to get involved with the campaign please visit the site. https://thecpsu.org.uk/parents