Safe Guarding & Club Documentation

Club Documentation

Minety RFC Club Documentation

The Board of Minety RFC 2020 – 2021, as established in the club’s Articles of Association.
The Articles of Association for Minety RFC
Subcriptions/Membership
- Subscriptions Membership Website Page
- Subscriptions Membership Form
Club Insurance - Minety RFC is an RFU Accredited and Affiliated rugby club. As such, the club is covered by the RFU insurance policy.

Minety RFC Club Policy Documents 2020-21

RFU Required Documents

Coaching Documentation

Minety 7's Organisation Materials

Organisation Materials (Password Protected)

Safe Guarding Policy Updated Sept 2026

Safeguarding Policy Statement

At Minety RFC, safeguarding is everybody's responsibility. We are committed to creating an environment where children and young people feel safe, welcome, valued and heard.

We believe that every child has the right to enjoy rugby in a safe, positive and inclusive environment. Guided by the Core Values of Rugby: Teamwork, Respect, Enjoyment, Discipline and Sportsmanship, we will work together to promote wellbeing, prevent harm and respond appropriately whenever concerns arise. The welfare of children is paramount in all decisions and actions taken by the Club.

Purpose
This policy sets out the Club’s commitment to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children involved in rugby union. It applies to everyone involved in the Club, including players, coaches, volunteers, officials, committee members, parents, carers and spectators. For the purposes of this policy, a child is anyone under the age of 18.

Safeguarding Framework
Minety RFC adopts and will comply with RFU Regulation 21, the RFU Safeguarding Children Policy, the RFU Safeguarding Handbook and relevant legislation and statutory guidance. These documents provide the detailed safeguarding standards, procedures and requirements that underpin this policy.
These can be found at the below link.

RFU Rules & Regulations | Rugby Football Union
Safeguarding Through Rugby's Core Values

TEAMWORK
What We Ask Of Our Members:
 Help create a safe environment; report concerns; support others; recognise safeguarding is shared responsibility.

What The Club Will Do:
 Promote awareness; provide guidance; work with England Rugby and agencies; review safeguarding arrangements.

RESPECT
What We Ask Of Our Members:

 Treat everyone with dignity; value diversity; listen to children; and encourage everyone to share good practice and raise concerns.

What The Club Will Do:
 Foster openness; take concerns seriously; promote positive behaviour; communicate expected standards.

ENJOYMENT
What We Ask Of Our Members:
 Help make rugby enjoyable; encourage participation; support positive experiences.

What The Club Will Do:
 Create a safe, welcoming environment; prioritise safeguarding and welfare; celebrate positive
contributions.

DISCIPLINE
What We Ask Of Our Members:
 Follow policies and codes; take responsibility; raise concerns.

What The Club Will Do:
 Respond appropriately to concerns; apply procedures fairly; take action where risks arise.

SPORTSMANSHIP
What We Ask Of Our Members:
 Demonstrate honesty, fairness and kindness; be a role model; challenge poor behaviour.

What The Club Will Do:
 Promote rugby values; support volunteers and officials; maintain a safe environment.

Listening to Children and Young People

We are committed to listening to children and young people, taking their views seriously and
supporting them to speak up when something concerns them.

Immediate Action Protocol (The 4 R's)

• Recognize: Remain alert to behavioral changes, physical injuries, or alarming verbal updates.
• Respond: Listen carefully without injecting opinions, prompting words, or promising complete secrecy.
• Record: Document an objective, written timeline detailing exactly what you observed or heard word-for-word.
• Report: Hand your text report directly to CSO Sam Saunders (07739 462584) within 24 hours of notification.

Club-Specific Safeguarding Considerations

Minety RFC will regularly consider safeguarding matters relevant to its facilities, activities and
location. These may include shared facilities, public access arrangements, environmental hazards,
changing facilities, travel, tours, events, digital communication and partnership working.

• Avoid One-to-One: Never place yourself alone in a room or isolated vehicle with an age-grade player.

• Changing Room Rule: Ensure two DBS-cleared adults of the same gender supervise; coaches must never undress
in front of children.

• Digital Borders: Only use closed club parent threads or official layouts. Never send private direct texts or social
media messages to players.

• Consent for Touch: Physical contact must only occur for essential scrum/tackle demonstrations with advance
player consent.

• Media Controls: Strictly check for signed parental media consents before taking photos; avoid tagging individual
names.

Safer Recruitment, Training and Support

The Club is committed to ensuring that individuals working with children are appropriately recruited,
vetted, trained and supported in accordance with RFU requirements.

Reporting Concerns
If you have any concern regarding the welfare, wellbeing or safety of a child, report it without delay.

Club Safeguarding Officer: Samantha Saunders
Email: minetyrfc.cso@gmail.com
Telephone: 07739462584

The Club Safeguarding Officer is the first point of contact for safeguarding concerns within the Club. If
a concern involves the Club Safeguarding Officer, concerns may be raised with the Constituent Body
Safeguarding Manager, RFU Safeguarding Team (via the reporting form), Children's Social Care or
the Police. If a child is at immediate risk of harm, contact emergency services immediately.

Policy Review
This policy will be reviewed annually, following significant safeguarding incidents, or following
changes to RFU safeguarding requirements.

Adoption
Club Name: Minety RFC
Date Adopted: 5.9.26
Review Date: 5.9.27
Chairperson: Andrew Grayson (Club Chair) and Piers Ward (Youth Chair)
Club Safeguarding Officer: Samantha Saunders