The refreshed policy will ensure that the WRU is leading the charge when it comes to safeguarding players, volunteers, staff and all those that engage in the national sport; and to support the policy a new suite of resources to promote positive behaviour and provide a platform to set standards of role model behaviour will be made available online.
The WRU Board approved the policy on 18 July 2024, and Integrity Board Champion Claire Donovan stated, “The WRU ‘One Wales’ headline strategy which launched earlier this summer has a strategic objective that focuses upon fostering a thriving and sustainable community game, and key to this is ensuring that clubs have qualified, vetted and competent coaches and other volunteers who work in regulated activity, who can inspire children to develop a lifelong love of the game.
“Safeguarding is a key factor in making rugby an attractive and enjoyable sport, and where you can make friends for life. We want clubs to build a safeguarding culture, so that parents and guardians can be confident that when their children participate in Welsh rugby that they are safe and have a great experience.”
The WRU have consulted widely on this project, particularly with the Independent Safeguarding Advisory Group, the Independent Review Panel, Club Safeguarding Officers, and children and young people, in developing a suite of resources that will assist all participants, along with WRU and regional rugby staff in building safeguarding cultures in our clubs.
The WRU will be launching the following resources over the coming weeks, which will be housed on the WRU Game Locker
- WRU Safeguarding Policy
- Abbreviated version of the Safeguarding Policy
- Safeguarding Policy – Easy Read version and story books for children
- WRU Safeguarding Kit Bag – Operational Guidance
- Cydweithio Working Together – A Guide for Coaches and Club Safeguarding Officers working with children and young people
- Rhieni Rygbi – A Guide for Parents in Sport
Chair of the Independent Safeguarding Advisory Group, Nick Slinn says, “This is a policy for everyone, with there being both a Safeguarding Children and Safeguarding Adults Policy included. There is also an abbreviated version of the full policy, along with a Safeguarding Kit Bag, that provides valuable operational advice and guidance for volunteers.
“We have consulted with the WRU on this project and we know how much hard work has gone into developing these resources. It’s been a collaborative effort and it’s great to see how this has progressed over the last eighteen months, and is now ready for launch.”
Over three months held a series of 12 Safeguarding Roadshows in clubs across Wales to provide participants with a preview of the policy and other resources, the opportunity to feedback, promote conversation and share best practice examples. The roadshows were attended by over 270 volunteers from 101 clubs and focused upon supporting Club Safeguarding Officers through a cohesive ‘one club’ approach. However, the three-hour sessions also focused upon the role and importance of parents in sport and some case studies and group work.
In addition to the new policy, the WRU are developing an easy-read version of the policy and story books for children and young people, which provides some simple, educational guidance about safeguarding, and tools on how to safeguard yourself.
WRU Community Director, Geraint John said, “Safeguarding is at the heart of what we do in Welsh Rugby.
“We want to further develop safe and inclusive environments, working collaboratively with clubs to ensure that the safeguarding policy is brought to life through education and training, not only our Club Safeguarding Officers and Coaches, but for everyone involved in the game.”
If you require any additional information or want to report a safeguarding concern, please contact your Club Safeguarding Officer or the WRU Safeguarding Team – dbs@wru.wales
