Child Protection

All coaches, officials and club volunteers should have a criminal background check as a matter of good practice in club child protection.

This is done through a company called Access Northern Ireland and is free of charge. If you or anyone else in your club would like a form, please contact Athletics NI- 02890 602707 or email info@athleticsni.org

Our Child Protection policies are through UKA

Safeguarding Children in Athletics

Thank you for taking time to visit the Athletics Northern Ireland Child Protection section. This section was developed by Athletics NI in partnership with UK Athletics and the NSPCC’s Child Protection in Sport Unit (CPSU).

Athletics is an every-day activity for many children and makes a significant contribution to their well being and development. All athletics clubs have a duty to safeguard children from abuse within our sport. They also have a role in recognising and responding to concerns that a child may be being harmed within another setting, such as the family home. By encouraging all clubs to implement the Code of Ethics and Good Practice for Children’s Sport we believe that everyone in athletics will benefit – children, parents/guardians and leaders.

The Wider Picture

Children can be subjected to many forms of unacceptable treatment by adults or indeed by their own peers, which we may never consider being abuse, but none the less the impact of such ill treatment is wide-ranging and impossible to quantify. At a personal level, such ill treatment can completely destroy a child’s sense of worth attacking their self-confidence and self-esteem. At its worst some children can feel that their situation, which if it goes unchallenged, is so hopeless that suicide is their only option.

For further information please contact Athletics NI Child Protection Officer;

Linda McGibbon - welfare@athleticsni.org