Town’s sporting giants tackling bullying of youngsters
ON PAPER, the benefits of playing sport for children are almost too numerous to count; improved health, building self-esteem, learning to work as a team and the pleasure of dedicating time to improving a skill among them. But it is sadly common that a child’s experience with sport can be ruined, and their confidence affected along with it, through issues like bullying and sexual harassment.
A 2011 study by the NSPCC involving more than 6,000 young people found 75 per cent reported they have suffered some form of emotional harm – including things like being sworn at or humiliated in front of others – while playing sport. Almost one-quarter of those questioned also reported some form of physical harm, such as being forced to train while injured or exhausted or physical bullying from peers.
Sexual harassment was also reported by 29 per cent of those questioned, with incidents ranging from such sexist jokes or being leered at to reports of inappropriate touching by coaches.
One of the saddest findings was that most young people considered this negative culture to be normal, and “just what happens in sport”.
The issue of safeguarding children in sport has come to the fore in recent months following the trial of former Crewe Alexandra and Manchester City football coach Barry Bennell, who has been jailed for 31 years for 50 counts of child sexual abuse against 12 boys.
With renewed calls being made across sport for more to be done to safeguard children, both Premier League side Huddersfield Town and rugby league club Huddersfield Giants have moved to make use of a safeguarding and reporting mobile phone app called Tootoot Sport.
The app works as a platform for club members to confidentially reporting any concerns they are experiencing directly to their club, supporting them to feel confident to speak up and make their voices heard.
As a result, players, coaches and staff from both Huddersfield clubs will be able to report issues such as bullying, harassment, doping, abuse and racism. Other clubs to sign up to the app include Wigan Warriors rugby league team and football side Rochdale Town.
Huddersfield Town head of safeguarding Karen Crosland said: “Safeguarding is something that we take very seriously at Huddersfield Town and we are always looking at ways we can proactively improve our processes to tackle any issues.
“In addition to delivering safeguarding workshops to all staff, we have recently incorporated the Tootoot app as an extension of our efforts.
“The use of Tootoot Sport will enable the players and staff to communicate more effectively and enhance our welfare program.
“The ability to anonymously report, log and deal with issues in one centralised system will help negate poor practice and deal with any problems.
“The feedback from both players, parents and staff has been excellent.”
Steve Hardisty, welfare and education manager for the Giants, said: “The Huddersfield Giants take great pride in their on-going commitment towards club welfare and safeguarding. A clear indication of the club’s intentions is its investment within Tootoot Sport.
“The anonymous reporting platform has been well received by all within the organisation and we look forward to a long working relationship.”
Terry Flanagan MBE, chairman of Tootoot, adds: “The news cycle in recent years has highlighted the importance of having a strong and holistic approach to safeguarding in sport, from grass roots to professional players to club staff.
“Having such great names in Premier League and rugby league join us is a big step in the right direction for safeguarding in British sport.”