How open age leagues can promote safeguarding with 16 and 17 year old players.

The key message is to share with parents/carers and players the fact the safeguarding measures in the youth game are not required in open age football.

All parties should be advised that coaches/managers do not have to (by law) complete a FA criminal record check.

Best practice would promote the coaches/managers undertaking a safeguarding children workshop if they have under 18’s but again this is not a pre requisite.

Coaches/managers for a Charter Standard Open Age Club must have undertaken an emergency first aid workshop.

The key is information sharing, making sure that the parents/players have a clear understanding of this so an informed decision can be made on their part, as to whether open age football is the best route for them.

Further, I will ask the FA to issue some more guidance to adult leagues concerning this but trust the above helps at this time.

Helen Hever
County Welfare Officer
T: 01245 393098
E: Helen.Hever@EssexFA.com
F: 01245 393089
W: www.EssexFA.com
A: Essex County Football Association Ltd,
County Office, Springfield Lyons Approach,
CHELMSFORD, CM2 5LB
Incorporated in Cardiff | No. 3843186