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Child Protection
Child Protection
The protection of children in our sport has been and remains a priority of the highest order to Tennis Ireland.
For several years now, Tennis Ireland has taken a pro-active role in working with affiliated clubs and other associated bodies to ensure the highest level of compliance within our sport in terms of Code of Ethics and Good Practice for Children's Sport. Various programmes dedicated to the provision of information and training for voluntary officials at all levels of tennis are managed by Roger Geraghty. Roger has acted as our National Children's Officer for the past ten years. Equally the Tennis Ireland Board of Directors ensure that this vital topic is on the agenda of every Board meeting, with Lyn Jamison acting as the Director responsible for the development of policies focused towards ensuring the well being of children in Tennis. Lyn is also the Children’s Officer for the Ulster Branch of Tennis Ireland.
In accordance with guidelines issued by the Irish Sports Council in 2006 Tennis Ireland are now also Garda Vetting all people who work in tennis in Ireland, from Tennis Ireland staff, coaches to affiliated member club committees.
These initiatives alone, however, are not sufficient and Tennis Ireland want to ensure that every Executive or Committee member at every club assumes a level of personal responsibility in safeguarding the well being of all member children. We will only succeed in our responsibility to children where high levels of compliance with the Code are supported by the commitment of the Club Officers and ultimately by the commitment shown by every club member.
1 – FACTSHEETS
A series of fact sheets to support the implementation of a Club Child Protection Strategy have been developed by Seamus McCusker, Tutor for Child Protection in both jurisdictions from materials originally produced by Roger Geraghty and Seamus McCusker.
It is also strongly recommended that all clubs keep on file a copy of the Government Guideline booklet on Child Protection titled Children FIrst: National Guidelines for the Protection and Welfare of Children.
To review the revised version of this publication (published by the Office of the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs), please go to:www.omc.gov.ie The Publication can be found under ‘Publications 2009, December 2009’
2 – LOCAL SPORTS PARTNERSHIPS
Your Local Sports Partnership (LSP) conduct regular Code of Ethics Workshops. It is now a mandatory requirement that all affiliated Club Children’s Officers and Coaches complete the Basic Awareness course in Child Protection.
3 – USEFUL RESOURCES
Here you will find contact details, useful links to recommended sites, video presentations and useful documents.
4 – ONLINE SURVEY
Tennis Ireland has developed an online survey to measure our affiliated clubs compliance with The Code of Ethics and Good Practice for Children in Sport drawn up by the Irish Sports Council.
5 – 100% COMPLIANT CLUBS
Congratulations to our Affiliated Clubs that are now 100% Compliant with Tennis Ireland’s Mandatory Requirements in Child Protection. See if your club is 100% complaint.
6 – PARENTS
Recommended reading for Tennis Parents
7 - UPDATE YOUR CLUB CHILDRENS OFFICERS
