Raglan Football Club Safeguarding Policy


Aligned with the New Zealand Football (NZF) Safeguarding Policy (2026)

1. Purpose

Raglan Football Club (Raglan FC) is committed to providing a safe, inclusive, positive, and supportive football environment for all participants. This policy exists to protect the welfare, rights, and dignity of all children, young people, and vulnerable adults involved in club activities.

We recognise our responsibility to ensure that football at Raglan FC is free from harm, abuse, discrimination, bullying, and exploitation, and that all participants can thrive in a safe and supportive environment.

2. Scope

This policy applies to:

  • All players, members, and participants
  • Coaches, managers, referees, and officials
  • Volunteers and committee members
  • Contractors and service providers
  • Parents, caregivers, and supporters when engaged in club activities

3. Guiding Principles

Raglan Football Club will:

  • Place the welfare of children, young people, and vulnerable adults first
  • Apply a person-centred, inclusive approach
  • Treat all people with dignity and respect
  • Promote positive, development-focused football experiences
  • Actively prevent harm through safe systems, education, and accountability

4. Definitions

  • Child/Young Person: Any person under the age of 14 years
  • Vulnerable Adult: A person with mental or physical impairment requiring ongoing support or care
  • Safeguarding: Actions taken to promote welfare and protect people from harm, abuse, and exploitation

5. Safe Practice Standards

All adults and volunteers involved with Raglan FC must follow these standards:

Coaching and Training

  • Activities must be age-appropriate and developmentally suitable
  • Use positive, respectful, and inclusive language
  • Maintain appropriate supervision at all times
  • Ensure physical contact is relevant, necessary, and appropriate to the activity

One-on-One Interactions

  • Avoid private, unobserved one-on-one situations (in person and online)
  • Where unavoidable, ensure visibility and presence of others
  • Avoid private messaging with players except for legitimate coaching or administration purposes

Changing Rooms

  • Knock and announce before entering
  • Avoid changing or showering with children or vulnerable adults
  • Adults must use facilities at different times if sharing is unavoidable

Transport

  • Avoid transporting a child alone unless absolutely necessary
  • Parental consent must be obtained
  • Use safe, registered vehicles and follow agreed routes

Overnight Trips

  • Written parental consent required
  • Separate sleeping areas for adults and minors
  • Appropriate supervision and safeguarding planning

Images and Media

  • Images must be appropriate and respectful
  • Secure storage and responsible sharing only
  • Guardian consent required for protected child(ren)

Behaviour Standards

  • No bullying, harassment, intimidation, or discrimination
  • No alcohol, smoking, or vaping around children or vulnerable adults
  • No inappropriate relationships or conduct

6. Poor Practice

Poor practice includes behaviour that falls below expected standards but does not place someone at immediate risk, such as:

  • Favouritism
  • Poor supervision
  • Negative language
  • Excessive pressure to win

Poor practice will be managed internally through education, feedback, and corrective action.

7. Safeguarding Concerns

A safeguarding concern involves risk or harm, including:

  • Physical, emotional, or sexual abuse
  • Neglect
  • Grooming behaviour
  • Exploitation
  • Disclosure of harm

All concerns must be taken seriously and escalated appropriately.

8. Reporting Procedures

Immediate Danger

If someone is in immediate danger:

  • Call NZ Police (111)
  • Contact Oranga Tamariki
  • Ensure the person is removed from harm

Non-Emergency Safeguarding Concerns

Concerns must be reported to:

Safeguarding Reporting form (on RFC website) must be used where appropriate.

9. Safeguarding Roles

Safeguarding Champion (Raglan FC)

Raglan FC will appoint at least one Safeguarding Champion who will:

  • Promote safeguarding culture
  • Manage police vetting processes
  • Be first point of contact for concerns
  • Liaise with federation and NZF

10. Police Vetting and Safety Checking

Raglan FC will:

  • Police vet all staff, coaches, managers, referees, and volunteers working with under-14s
  • Use the NZF Police Vetting System
  • Repeat vetting every three years
  • Ensure no individual works unsupervised with children until vetting is complete

11. Education and Training

The club will:

  • Promote safeguarding education
  • Encourage completion of NZF Learn, FIFA Guardians, and Sport Integrity modules
  • Ensure safeguarding awareness across committee, coaches, and volunteers

12. Confidentiality and Data Protection

All safeguarding information will be:

  • Treated confidentially
  • Stored securely
  • Shared only on a need-to-know basis
  • Managed in line with NZF and legal requirements

13. Policy Review

This policy will be:

  • Reviewed annually
  • Updated to remain aligned with NZF, federation, and legislative requirements

14. Commitment Statement

Raglan Football Club is committed to providing a fair, inclusive, positive, and safe football environment where all participants are protected, respected, and supported.

Safeguarding is everyone’s responsibility.

Approved by Raglan Football Club Committee


Date:  25 March 2026


Review Date:  25 March 2027