PRIAULX

North Tackle Bullying

The Guernsey FA is pleased to report that Northerners AC have become the first local sports club to become Associate Members of the Anti-Bullying Alliance (ABA) as part of the club’s commitment to taking a proactive stance against bullying.

Northerners AC Club Welfare Officer, Kerry Tardif, has taken a lead role in the continued effort to ensure safeguards are embedded throughout the club and commented that:

“Whilst we do not believe we have a significant problem at the club, we are not naïve enough to think it will never happen and we want to make sure we don’t become complacent. We want to do our very best to ensure that our young players are comfortable, feel safe and learn the importance of being kind to each other. While it is always nice to win, it is equally important to recognise that children develop at different paces and we all have days where perhaps we don’t perform to our full potential.

Northerners AC value inclusivity and want EVERY child to enjoy their football activities regardless of ability whether that be in a training session, friendly or competitive fixture. We are therefore very excited and proud to be the first local sports club to become Associate Members of the Anti-Bullying Alliance. We hope that as volunteers, coaches, parents and carers, we can provide a positive role model to our young players and make football a fun and enjoyable activity where everyone can feel included.”

Guernsey FA Designated Safeguarding Officer, Sara Mallet commented that:

“It is great to see the positive and proactive approach that Northerners have taken towards safeguarding children and young people and raising awareness of bullying. The club is setting the benchmark now and I am confident that this work will be well received by all involved with the club, including the children, parents, and guardians. The GFA is committed to working with all stakeholders to promote safeguarding in football and this is a great opportunity to rightly highlight some best practice.”

The ABA is recognised as being a unique coalition of organisations and individuals, working together to achieve a vision to: stop bullying and create safer environments in which children and young people can live, grow, play and learn.

The Anti-Bullying Alliance was established by the NSPCC and the National Children's Bureau in 2002 and their objectives are:

•             To raise the profile of bullying and the effect it has on the lives of children and young people

•             To create a climate in which everyone agrees that bullying is unacceptable

•             To make sure that teachers, youth practitioners, parents, carers, children and young people have the skills and knowledge to address bullying effectively.”

ABA are official organisers of Anti-Bullying Week each year and this year it will officially take place from Monday 16th - Friday 20th November, will the theme being ‘United Against Bullying’.

More information about the ABA, and the support and guidance it provides, can be found on their website; https://www.anti-bullyingalliance.org.uk/

For more information about safeguarding in football, please use the following link to the Guernsey FA website; https://www.guernseyfa.com/about/rules-and-regulations/safeguarding-and-welfare/policies