The RFL hosted its 14th Annual Safeguarding Conference at the Totally Wicked Stadium in St Helens on Sunday (January 16), a first hybrid event which offered delegates the option of attending virtually or in person.
That led to a record number of attendees, drawn from all sectors of the sport from the elite to the community game.
After introductory welcomes virtually from RFL President Clare Balding OBE and in person from Chief Executive Ralph Rimmer and Sandy Lindsay MBE - the RFL Board’s Safeguarding Champion - the delegates heard presentations from Liz Ware of the NSPCC’s Child Protection in Sport Unit on contextual safeguarding, from Keith Senior of Rugby League Cares, and from the RFL’s Andrea Murray and Match Official Liam Rush relating to the sport’s Tackle It anti-discrimination action plan.
Kerry Simmons, the RFL’s Safeguarding Manager, said: “Safeguarding in sport is vital to protect children and young adults from harm by providing a safe space in which they can participate in sport.
“Our club welfare officers, whether they are paid or volunteers, play a crucial part in this process in ensuring their clubs have effective and robust policies and procedures to promote the welfare of children and protect them from harm by creating a safe and inclusive environment for participants.
“Supervision of safeguarding in the sport is one of the key roles of the RFL as the National Governing Body for the whole sport in this country, and the Annual Conference is an important part of that.
“The aim is to provide those involved in this area with relevant and up to date information and legislation through presentations and workshops.
“We are grateful to all those who attended, as well as the other people who made the day such a success.”
For more information please contact RFL Safeguarding manager Kerry Simmons, kerry.simmons@rfl.co.uk
