The Golf Foundation has welcomed the launch of a new website that promotes better understanding of child protection issues in golf.
Safeguarding Children in Golf (SCiG) is a partnership of governing bodies and golf organisations in the UK and Ireland. Its new website www.childreningolf.org is aimed at instructors, volunteers and anyone else working with children in the sport, and informs parents about what they should expect and how to give young players essential advice and support.
Featuring a specially filmed introduction with Luke Donald, the site is easy-to-navigate and is engaging for the viewer. Information will help a golf club to create a strong safeguarding policy for its volunteers and professional staff. It is also hoped that the site will demonstrate to more volunteers and parents the relevance of appropriate checks for adults working with children and the straightforward nature of these checks.
John Wood is the Golf Foundation representative on SCiG, and has worked on the group with representatives of governing bodies and golf organisations including the Professional Golfers’ Association, England Golf, The European Tour, the Golf Foundation, the Golf Union of Wales, the GCMA, Junior Golf Ireland and NSPCC.
John said: “I don’t think anyone would question the importance of setting up all effective means possible for safeguarding our youngsters from the dangers of child abuse. We believe this website will be a great help to golf clubs, professionals and volunteers in helping them understand the importance of creating an appropriate safeguarding policy for all involved with encouraging youngsters to play golf.
“The Golf Foundation’s national programmes make golf more accessible to hundreds of thousands of youngsters each year from all backgrounds in schools, clubs and communities. Our team has worked hard to make volunteers understand the importance of having the appropriate checks. Sometimes in the past some of our best volunteers have at first felt insulted at having to undergo such a check, but once they understand that this is part of a vital overall process to protect youngsters, their attitude has changed completely. It’s all about putting the children first at all times.”
SCiG previously addressed these and other concerns with the publication of its guidance book ‘Safeguarding Children in Golf’ which became widely accepted as the most important source of guidance available to everyone involved in the game.
* Access the website at www.childreningolf.org
HSBC Golf Roots and the Golf Foundation www.golf-foundation.org