Safeguarding
Tennis Ireland and its Branches strives to ensure that all children, young people and adults at risk are safeguarded from abuse and have an enjoyable tennis experience.
Tennis Ireland takes a pro-active role in working with affiliated clubs and other associated bodies to ensure the highest level of compliance within our sport in terms of Code of Ethics and Good Practice for Children's Sport. Various programmes dedicated to the provision of information and training for voluntary officials at all levels of tennis are managed by Roger Geraghty, National Children's Officer for the past twelve years. Equally the Tennis Ireland Board of Directors ensure that this vital topic is on the agenda of every Board meeting.
These initiatives alone, however, are not sufficient and Tennis Ireland wants to ensure that every Executive or Committee member at every club assumes a level of personal responsibility in safeguarding the well being of all member children.
We will only succeed in our responsibility to children where high levels of compliance with the Code are supported by the commitment of the Club Officers and ultimately by the commitment shown by every club member.
Tennis Ireland requires all member clubs to be compliant with its Child Protection Checklist.
To assist clubs in the task Tennis Ireland has published a booklet “Achieving Child Protection Compliance” (link below). We recommend that all Clubs read this booklet before addressing the Child Protection Checklist.
Please note that it is of the utmost importance that your Club keeps Tennis Ireland informed of the current Children's Officers and Designated Person's contact details. Leinster Clubs can submit these details here.
A series of documents to support the implementation of a Club Child Protection Strategy have been compiled:
It is also strongly recommended that all clubs keep on file a copy of the Government Guideline booklet on Child Protection titled Children First: National Guidelines for the Protection and Welfare of Children.