Here at New Springs Legion Lions(NSLL) we have an active focus on Child Protection. Our recently appointed Child Protection Officer has a health background and has worked with child protection policies and agencies for many years. We are working towards introducing a framework that ensures child protection is at the heart of the club infrastructure as we work towards club mark accreditation.

We have a child protection policy and procedure in place and are embarking on an ongoing training plan for all club officers and volunteers on child protection within our club development strategy.

All of our officers and volunteers will have been taken through the Criminal Records Bureau (CRB) checking system to an enhanced level within the next six months as part of our work towards Club Mark accreditation.

Our policies and procedures comply with those of the Rugby League and BARLA in terms of child protection, and with the requirements of Club Mark.

As part of our work towards club mark status and as ongoing good practice; we will expect our officers and volunteers to adopt our systems, policies and procedures. We will take a written commitment that they will do so on application for the post. We will supply codes of conduct, good practice guidelines and role descriptions to officers and volunteers. There is a clear expectation that at all times we will act in the best interest of the young person and this is made explicit within our policy.

Our working practices are designed to provide a safe environment for the players, officers and volunteers and members of the public and we will act on any causes for concern as per the child protection pathway.

As stated New Springs Legions Lions ARLFC has adopted the Rugby League Child Protection Policy and is implementing it throughout the club This section is a summary of the NSLL child protection policy and is intended as a source of guidance to anyone connected with the New Springs Club.

A copy of the full formal document ‘Rugby League Child Protection Policy & Implementation Procedures’ is held by the club protection officer and is available upon request. Alternatively the PDF file can be downloaded from the RFL website www.rfl.uk.comby linking to the relevant BARLA link.

New Springs Legions Lions ARLFC in conjunction with the Rugby League Policy Board, want to ensure that all players, (Young Persons) are protected and kept safe whilst they are in the care of officials representing this club.

1. Adopting and adhering to the Rugby League Policy Board Child Protection Policy and Procedures. The club will also be bound by the decisions and recommendations of the Rugby League Policy Board Child Protection Disciplinary Committee.

2. Make sure that all officials are carefully selected, vetted and where necessary trained.

3. Ensure that details of any player’s medical condition are notified to the relevant officials.

4. Giving parents and players information about the club’s aims and ambitions and what they can expect from the club

5. Advising parents of what the club can expect of them

6. Ensuring parents and players know how to voice their concerns or complain if there is anything that they are not happy about

7. For the purpose of the Rugby League Child Protection Policy, children are under 18 years of age (S. Cummings Technical Executive October 2002)

8. We have a reporting procedure that is commensurate with the Rugby League Policy, which includes abuse suspected within the club and also out with the sports environment.

  

Participants in the game of Rugby League include players, parents, spectators, coaches, match officials, volunteers and administrators. Every participant should:

•  Discourage all instances of unsporting behaviour, foul or illegal play, or acts of violence, both on and off the field.
• Respect the rights, dignity and worth of every person regardless of their age, ethnic origin, gender, special needs, including learning and physical disabilities, class or social background, religion, sexual orientation, marital status, pregnancy, colour or political persuasion.
• Condemn the use of recreational and performance enhancing drugs and doping practices their use endangers the health of players and is contrary to the concept of fair play.
• Important every person who attends a Rugby League match does so with the permission and license of the home club & or league. Breaches of this Code of Conduct may result in penalties up to and including a fine, loss of team match points and suspension.