The Guernsey Football Association’s Youth Council has launched a safeguarding cartoon to raise awareness about how coaches communicate with under 18 players.

The GFA’s Youth Council, which is sponsored by Deloitte Guernsey, is a group of young volunteers who help provide recommendations for the ongoing improvement of youth football in Guernsey.

The Youth Council is raising awareness of safeguarding for both children and adults in football. It's the overall protection of a person’s wellbeing from potential physical and emotional harm that may be caused by your teammates, coaches or club officials. The Youth Council want to ensure everyone feels safe to enjoy football.

The cartoon is on the Guernsey Football Association’s website in the Youth Zone section, which provides important messages for children and young people.

Guernsey FA Chief Executive, and Senior Safeguarding Lead, Gary Roberts said: ‘It is fantastic to see the safeguarding cartoon – Shoot – that has been developed and produced by the Guernsey FA Youth Council. This cartoon has been designed to promote some very important messages about safeguarding in football, and in a way that is both relatable and engaging for children and young people.

‘Safeguarding rightly remains a priority for the GFA and all of those involved in local football. For the Youth Council, which itself is comprised of young people, to bring to life this important project is a testament to how seriously safeguarding is taken. It is also pleasing to see how the collaborative working of the Youth Council members has brought this project through to completion and we look forward to supporting these young people with the next projects they commence.’

Partner at Deloitte in Guernsey, David Becker added: ‘We are thrilled to continue sponsoring the GFA’s Youth Council. It’s important to ensure that football is a positive experience for everyone.

‘The Youth Council’s creative ideas for a safeguarding cartoon is great, and we are rightly behind this. It’s of the utmost importance to encourage football settings to remain a safe environment where children and young people feel comfortable to speak out.’

The cartoon can be found by clicking here