Last week (18/19 September) I was privileged to attend the formal launch of a brand-new suite of resources that Sport England commissioned the NWG Network to produce and deliver.

The NWG’s Kelly Hounslow led the project and collaborated with those with lived experience of abuse through sport, representatives from many different sports across England including volunteers and parents to help develop a unique set of resources which will help the sports sector to improve their response to abuse and exploitation and provide a framework to enable the voices of those affected by abuse to finally be heard.

The suite of resources is comprehensive and features a set of short films looking at the positive side of coaching and exploring the darker side that has been subject to multiple external reviews recently. Along with each film is more information linked to the theme being explored.

The full suite of resources includes 3 short films, links to a host of excellent resources from colleagues from the sports sector and from external organisations, podcasts and a list of support agencies covering a wide range of topics including support for children and adults, families and practitioners as well as online and gender-specific support.

The two launch events were very well attended and it was a pleasure to meet so many of the new cohort of Sport Welfare Officers who have recently been employed by the Active Partnership network across England, it was also very pleasing to finally meet some colleagues in person after meeting so many over Teams calls of or on Zoom and it was also nice to be reacquainted with some “old friends” again.

Colleagues from the Sport England Advisory Panel (SEAP) delivered key-note speeches ahead of the viewing of the films, the impact of the speeches and the films was profound on the audience, Mahiri McLennan from Kyniska Advocacy then spoke about the development of the Welfare and Well-being Guide that has been produced to help sports clubs create cultural change throughout their clubs to ensure children and adults experience a safe and sustainable experience, who would not want that to happen at their club?

Finally Karen Leach from the SEAP panel spoke about her experience of the abuse she suffered from her swimming coach and the impact it had on her family and on her own well-being on a daily basis 40 years after the abuse occurred, Karen also spoke about how she felt when she discovered that her abuser was in court again after another victim reported him to the Irish Guarda, like many sex offenders he did not plead guilty forcing his victim to appear in court, however, he was convicted by the jury and jailed again. This reopened so many wounds for Karen but she was pleased that another victim was able to tell their story.

Finally, I would like to give Karen the final two words, following a Q&A session there was a “call to arms” regarding the resources from the panel and Karen made the simple plea “use them”. Two simple words, short and sweet but coming from Karen they were so impactful.

As always colleagues the NWG Networks sports team is delighted to hear from you and is happy to have a chat with any of you about the new resources or regarding any other instance of child exploitation, please see our contact details below

Kevin Murphy

Safeguarding in Sport Lead NWG Network

Office: 01332 585371

Mobile 07399 449045

Email: [email protected]

Secure Email: [email protected]