Blues join drive to help keep children safe in sport

THE Cardiff Blues rugby region has joined calls encouraging parents to sign the NSPCC’s ‘Sports Parents Promise’ to keep their children safe in sport.

More than 30% of parents with children active in sport would not know who to turn to if they had safeguarding concerns, a survey conducted by the NSPCC and polling company YouGov has revealed.

The charity is encouraging parents to become more informed about their children’s sports during Parents in Sport Week 2019 – an event which celebrates parental involvement in youth sport.

Nadine Griffiths, director of the Cardiff Blues Community Foundation, said: Rugby offers children a great way to have fun while staying fit and developing their sense of teamwork and social skills, but it also creates opportunities for families to share quality time together.

“The children, parents and carers entrust the club to keep young people safe – whether that is on the field, on the touchline, at training or at Cardiff Arms Park.

“Cardiff Blues are proud to support the NSPCC’s ‘Parents in Sport Week.

“By pledging their support, they will find out who to speak to with any safeguarding concerns, what to ask and how better to keep their children safe.”

As part of this year’s Parents in Sports Week (running to Sunday 13 October), the NSPCC’s Child Protection in Sport Unit (CPSU) is urging parents to sign the ‘Sports Parents Promise’ to help them choose a safe club for their children and ensure they have a positive influence when participating from the sidelines.

The ‘Sports Parents Promise’ offers parents helpful guidance on what makes a safe sports club, how to respond if they have any worries or concerns, and how to show positive behaviour when attending games and tournaments.