English football is once again united over the Play Safe weekend to promote Play Safe – a countrywide campaign to focus attention of the vital importance of safeguarding in our national game.
Led by The Football Association, the Play Safe campaign is endorsed by the NSPCC and will be supported this weekend across every level of English football, including the Premier League, EFL, Barclays Women’s Super League and Barclays Women’s Championship, and across the grassroots game.
This season the FA is asking EVERYONE, EVERYWHERE – clubs and leagues at every level of the game, (and individuals if they wish) – to tell us what they are planning to do to make a difference over the Play Safe weekend and to share this via an online Play Safe Pledge.
Lymm Piranhas JFC’s Pledge
Lymm Piranhas JFC has pledged a month of Play Safe safeguarding awareness in October under the theme of “listen and act”, which is part of the FA campaign. This starts with a dedicated Welfare Officer phone number being added to every team parent group so that any parent can phone, voicenote or text message the club Welfare team easily with questions or concerns or for general advice about their child in football. One of our four Club Welfare Officers will reply.
Lymm Piranhas JFC Welfare Officer says: “you can make a difference, as a parent/carer, by checking in with your child regularly, watching their socials, and listening. Importantly, you follow your child’s football journey. You notice the details. Speak to your team coach or the club welfare officer if you think there is anything that could be done differently or better, to keep your child safe and enjoying their sport. We will listen, talk and act.
In the club’s Play Safe month in October to celebrate listening, talking and acting the club will launch some additional initiatives on your team groups, including team captains, player council, .
Tell Me More About Play Safe
This year’s Play Safe weekend in football focuses on the safeguarding role EVERYONE has to play – coach, player, parent/carer, spectator or volunteer – to keep children and young people safe, no matter what the football setting. EVERYONE, EVERYWHERE, EVERYTIME is encouraged to WATCH, LISTEN, TALK and ACT if they have any safeguarding concerns.
The FA’s Survivor Support and Safeguarding Advisory Group (FASSSAG) continues to support Play Safe: “Creating safe environments in every football setting is a collective responsibility. It’s really important that every single person in football – no matter if they’re actively involved or on the sidelines – understands that they have an ongoing role to play. Knowing how to act on any concerns is vital and Play Safe is a key way to raise awareness so that everyone is vigilant and knows what to do if they become aware of any inappropriate behaviour.”
It’s all part of football in England uniting to create an ever-safer culture across the game at every level.
Lymm Piranhas JFC 