At Vale of York Athletic Community, the safety and well-being of our young athletes form the bedrock of everything we do. Our founder, Ian Martin, shared an inspiring message at an England Athletics safeguarding forum in York this morning.
“We are deeply committed to creating an environment where young athletes can flourish in a safe, supportive, and inclusive atmosphere,” Ian stated. “We want to be proactive in our athletics clubs and not only remove the barriers to safeguarding but also accentuate the positives that athletics and running can have on young people’s lives”.
Ian’s personal journey in youth sport, profoundly shaped by his school cross country coach, Hugh Symonds, provides a lasting influence on our safeguarding ethos here at Vale of York. He recalled, “Without adult interference and control there was plenty of space for us to explore on our own terms. What control there was from Mr Symonds at school in terms of organising the cross country sessions and teams was the minimum necessary to ensure we were safe and got to training and competition safely”.
Ian’s emphasis on a safe yet empowering environment resonates throughout our community. Hugh Symonds didn’t just teach Ian running; he showed Ian “what it was to be a coach and a decent human being”. This legacy continues to inspire our coaches today.
We understand that those who volunteer in any capacity in our community do so because they care about the experiences of young people in sport. They care about athlete safety, their enjoyment, and the impact that sport can have on their lives, not just in the moment, but for years to come.
Our aim at Vale of York is to go beyond simply meeting safeguarding requirements; we strive to make sport a place where every child and young person feels valued, supported, and inspired.
Our comprehensive approach to safeguarding at Vale of York Athletic Community includes:
- Diligently Vetted Coaches: All our coaches are qualified and licensed by England Athletics and undergo thorough enhanced DBS checks. This ensures that our young athletes are mentored by trusted individuals who have been appropriately vetted.
- Ongoing Safeguarding Education: Our coaching team actively engages in safeguarding training to stay informed and equipped to address any welfare concerns.
- Dedicated Welfare Support: We have two designated Welfare Officers who serves as a central point of contact for any safeguarding concerns. We encourage anyone with any worries about a child or adult within our community to raise them with a coach or by emailing welfare@valeofyork.org in complete confidence. Our welfare policies and procedures align with guidance from England Athletics.
- Promoting a Safe Environment: We adhere to a policy of ensuring at least two adults are present during all coaching sessions involving under eighteens. We want to create a transparent and safe environment for everyone
. - Encouraging Parental Engagement and Responsible Volunteering: We welcome parents to support their children at our sessions. Volunteers who regularly work with our young athletes are required to have enhanced DBS clearance, while ad hoc volunteers working under the direct supervision of a coach complete self-declarations.
- Zero Tolerance for Bullying: Vale of York Athletic Community has a clear anti-bullying policy. We do not tolerate behaviours such as teasing, name-calling, unwanted physical contact, gossiping, and shunning. Any athlete found to be engaging in such behaviour will be given the opportunity to understand the impact of their actions and learn more positive ways of interacting.
- Commitment to Codes of Conduct: We expect all our athletes to sign up to and uphold the England Athletics’ Code of Conduct, which promotes good behaviour and respect within our sport.
As Ian reflected on his formative years in sport at the forum, “My experience of youth sport wasn’t just about running at school… It was handicap races in the Yorkshire Dales followed by games of table tennis with books for bats and chats around the open fire afterwards that provided everyone with opportunities—not just to compete, but to explore, to discover, to have fun, and to grow”.
At Vale of York Athletic Community, we strive to create a similar environment – one where safeguarding is not just a policy, but an integral part of fostering belonging and supporting the holistic development of every young athlete. Our unwavering commitment ensures that we are building a foundation of trust, enabling young people to experience youth sport at its very best.
Want to be a part of our safe and thriving athletics community? Here’s how you can get involved:
- Consider joining Vale of York Athletic Community! Whether you’re a budding young athlete or an experienced runner, we welcome new members of all abilities. Visit our home page to learn more about our training sessions and how to join.
- Volunteer with us! We are always looking for enthusiastic individuals to support our young athletes. If you’re interested in volunteering as a coach or in another capacity, please email steve@valeofyork.org. Regular volunteers will require an enhanced DBS check, and we will guide you through this process.
- Learn more about safeguarding in athletics. England Athletics provides valuable resources and information on safeguarding best practices. Visit the EA safeguarding website to learn more.
- If you have any safeguarding concerns, please do not hesitate to speak to one of our coaches or welfare officers or email our Welfare Officers at welfare@valeofyork.org in complete confidence. Your vigilance helps us maintain a safe environment for everyone.
Together, we can ensure that Vale of York Athletic Community remains a place where young athletes can reach their full potential in a safe, supportive, and inspiring environment.
