Child Protection for Match Officials
Match officials should
- Recognise the importance of fun and enjoyment when officiating young players.
- Provide verbal feedback in a positive way during games.
- Appreciate the needs of the players.
- Be a positive role model.
- Recognise that safety is paramount.
- Explain decisions – most young players are still learning.
- Do not tolerate verbal abuse.
- Administer First Aid (where applicable).
Officials should not
- Change in the same area as young players.
- Shower with young players – agree with the coaches a timetable.
- Be alone with young players at any time – if a young player comes into the dressing room ensure another adult is present.
- Check studs without the coach being present.
- Allow a young player to continue playing if you have doubts about their fitness.
- Tolerate bad language from young players.
- Engage in any inappropriate contact with young players.
- Give a lift to a player unless there are other young people or adults in the car and the parents are aware.
- Take a young player to your home.
- Overtly criticise young players or use language which may cause the player to lose confidence or self esteem.
- Make sexually explicit remarks to young players even in fun.
Officials must always
Report, in writing, to the Club or CB Safeguarding Manager and/or Referees Society Secretary, behaviour by adults with you feel contravenes RFU Child Protection Policy
- Verbal bullying by coaches/parents/spectators.
- Physical abuse by coaches/parents/spectators.
- Inappropriate or aggressive contact by an adult to a young person.
- Verbal abuse directed at you by young people or adults.
Remember “The welfare of all young people is paramount.”