Sport can be one of the most positive experiences in a child’s life. It helps young people develop confidence, friendships, resilience and a lifelong love of physical activity. But for these benefits to flourish, sport must be a safe environment where children feel protected, respected and valued. Safeguarding is therefore not an optional extra in coaching — it is a fundamental responsibility.
Why Safeguarding Matters
Millions of children participate in organised sport every day, yet many youth coaches have limited training specifically related to working with children.
Without proper awareness, harmful behaviours, unsafe environments, or signs of abuse may go unnoticed.
Safeguarding means taking proactive steps to prevent harm and ensure that every child’s wellbeing comes first. This includes protecting children from physical, emotional and sexual abuse, but it also involves creating a culture where respect, inclusion and positive relationships are the norm.
In child-centred coaching environments, children should feel safe to speak up, ask questions and express concerns without fear.
The Role of the Coach
Coaches play a powerful role in shaping the experience children have in sport. Their behaviour sets the tone for the team environment and strongly influences how children feel about participating.
Effective safeguarding begins with everyday coaching practices, such as:
- Treating every child with dignity and respect
- Using appropriate language and behaviour
- Ensuring activities are safe and age-appropriate
- Avoiding situations where a coach is alone with a child
- Listening carefully when a child raises concerns
By modelling positive values and maintaining professional boundaries, coaches help build trust with athletes and families.
Recognising Warning Signs
Another important aspect of safeguarding is the ability to recognise when something may not be right. Changes in behaviour, withdrawal from teammates, unexplained injuries, or sudden drops in motivation can sometimes signal that a child is experiencing difficulties.
While coaches are not expected to investigate or diagnose problems, they should remain attentive and take concerns seriously. If something feels wrong, it is important to follow the appropriate safeguarding procedures within the club or organisation.
Creating a Culture of Safety
Safeguarding is most effective when it becomes part of the culture of sport rather than a standalone policy. Clubs and organisations should support coaches by providing clear guidelines, training and reporting systems.
Parents, administrators and athletes themselves all play a role in maintaining safe environments. Open communication and shared responsibility ensure that safeguarding becomes everyone’s priority.
Putting Kids First
At its heart, safeguarding is about remembering why youth sport exists in the first place: to benefit children.
When coaches commit to safe, supportive and child-centred environments, sport becomes more than competition. It becomes a powerful platform for growth, learning and lifelong wellbeing.
That commitment to putting kids first is at the core of the mission of ICOACHKIDS, helping ensure that every child enjoys a positive and safe sporting experience.
When it comes to safeguarding and protecting children, the following sayings will remain top of our agenda:
Better Safe than Sorry
and
Prevention is Better than Cure
PLEASE NOTE
Safeguarding and Protecting Children in Sport, while important in every country, fits within a different best practice/legislative framework for each country. Because of this, please check the specific laws, policies and procedures that are applied in your country. Also check the information and advice provided by your sports sector and your sport’s national governing body/federation.
What is included here are GENERAL GUIDELINES. These are primarily based on UNICEF Safeguarding in Sport Guidelines.
Please see - https://www.unicef.org.uk/spor...;
