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Play Safe

We’re backing Play Safe

Play Safe is football’s national campaign to focus attention on the vital importance of safeguarding in our national game.

The campaign is officially supported by the NSPCC as well as the Premier League, EFL, Barclays Women’s Super League and Barclays Women’s Championship. It’s also being backed by every other level of the game across England.

This year’s focus remains on the key role of parents/carers in safeguarding, with two main messages being conveyed:

  • Are you aware of the vital safeguarding role you play in football?
  • We encourage all to complete the new, short and free safeguarding course specifically developed for parents/carers, which can be accessed here.

The WFA are committed to safeguarding the welfare of all children and young people involved in Powerchair Football. We also extend this responsibility to every adult involved in Powerchair Football, whether as players, managers, coaches, referees, parents or spectators.

As The WFA’s Welfare Officer, Cath McNicol is responsible for acting as a voice for safeguarding within the Association, working with the committee to ensure best practice is adhered to and coordinating actions should a concern or referral arise.

Alongside her responsibilities at The WFA, Cath is both a player/coach at Middlesbrough PFC and an Engagement Officer at Pathfinders Neuromuscular Alliance. In her role at Pathfinders, Cath keeps in touch with members and partners, organises online events, and encourages members to produce content for their website. She also works on a project that gives young people the skills to put on their own online events.

To find out more about Cath, her responsibilities as WFA Welfare Officer and the critical role Welfare Officers play in football, visit the link below:

WFA Welfare Officer Case Study

Safeguarding at The WFA

The WFA are committed to safeguarding the welfare of all children and young people involved in Powerchair Football. We also extend this responsibility to every adult involved in Powerchair Football, whether as players, managers, coaches, referees, parents or spectators. Below are some of the initiatives that The WFA has put in place to ensure safeguarding:

National League safeguarding:

  • Undertaken a review of minimum age requirements for Powerchair Football competition at Regional and National League level and established a clear rationale for these ages with support from FA colleagues
  • Implemented a dispensation process established for clubs who wish to apply for players under age
  • Competition-specific risk assessments supported by The FA
  • Introduction of mental health support provision for players at National League level
Wider safeguarding improvements:
  • Insurance now includes personal accident cover for club members and WFA officials
  • All referees must have a valid DBS certificate as a requirement to officiate
  • mandatory for all clubs to have a Welfare officer as part of powerchair provision
  • The importance of safeguarding and open age uniqueness in powerchair football is highlighted in our coaching course
  • Integrated a CEOP (Child Exploitation and Online Protection Command) button into our website
  • Working with The FA to implement a broader safeguarding plan and raise awareness of The FA’s Safeguarding Courses