Safeguarding

The IRFU is committed to the enjoyment of rugby by young people and seeks to promote, create and maintain safe environments for Age Grade Players.

This IRFU Safeguarding training assists those involved with Age-grade rugby to be aware of components of the safeguarding policy and have knowledge of how to raise a concern in relation to risk of harm.

Coaches and volunteers are not expected to be safeguarding experts, but rather to know how to implement best practice and how to respond to a concern.

As such, coaches and volunteers with age grade teams must complete safeguarding training by undertaking 2 online modules and attending a face-to-face training session with the Spirit of Rugby Officers.

IMPORTANT

The training is based on Sport Ireland and Sport Northern Ireland guidance documents and related legislation.

On completion of all 3 safeguarding modules those working with age-grade players will be able to create a player-centred environment, implement best practice, identify concerns and know how to respond appropriately to those concerns.

Once you have completed the safeguarding award, support is available on an ongoing basis to maintain safeguarding standards through your Club Welfare Officer and your provincial Spirit of Rugby Officer.

I have already completed safeguarding training through my work or other sports club. Do I need to do it again?

While staff, coaches & volunteers may have already completed related training in another sphere it will may be necessary to also complete specific safeguarding training as below.

To check if existing safeguarding training is satisfactory you can upload your certificate to Sportlomo under External Safeguarding for the IRFU to review.