National Children’s Officer Networking Conference 23 at Sports HQ

I recently attended the Sport Ireland National Children’s Officer Networking Conference at Sports HQ.

Michael Collins Safeguarding Manager Sport Ireland, explained the Safeguarding training and new digital certs process, he also discussed the Young Voices Toolkit and a new National Code of Conduct Template & Charter for Sport in Ireland. NGB’s were encouraged to implements them.

We received a summary report of Children’s Sport Participation and Physical Activity Study 2022. The results of the study will help sports leaders to focus on areas that need it most. ACI and SSTRAI will discuss the findings and see where we can best provide opportunities for children in angling sport. Paul Stephenson spoke on NSPCC issues. Kieron Stout from Athletics Ireland, spoke about their Child Safeguarding Seminar. This was followed by George Maybury NCO from Pentathlon Ireland on the practical aspects of Safeguarding and it raised a number of very good questions. This was followed by diversity and inclusion talk from Sarah Banville Safeguarding and Inclusion Officer from Golf Ireland. Sarah gave an overview of a programme they carried out with a group of youths to help get them involved in golf. I found this most interesting and very similar in the approach we have in SSTRAI and ACI. I certainly did pick up some good ideas from Sarah’s presentation. Thanks again to the Safeguarding team at Sport Ireland for the great event.