At Aylsham FC, the safety and well-being of every player is at the forefront of everything we do, which is why we’re proud to be supporting the FA’s Play Safe weekend—a nationwide initiative focused on safeguarding across all levels of football. Taking place this weekend, the Play Safe campaign is a vital reminder of the importance of creating safe, inclusive environments where children and vulnerable adults can enjoy the game we all love.
What is Play Safe?
Play Safe is a national campaign by the FA aimed at raising awareness about safeguarding in football, with a particular focus on ensuring that children and vulnerable adults are safe and supported when participating in the sport. Safeguarding isn’t just the responsibility of coaches or club officials—it’s something everyone involved in football should be aware of. Whether you’re a player, parent, volunteer, or supporter, Play Safe calls on everyone to play their part in protecting the most vulnerable participants.
What Does Play Safe Weekend Involve?
The Play Safe Weekend is a key part of the FA’s broader safeguarding campaign, and it’s designed to help clubs across the country reinforce their commitment to keeping football a safe environment for all. The weekend itself serves as a platform for raising awareness about safeguarding policies and ensuring that everyone involved in the game knows what to do if they have concerns about a player’s safety or well-being.
At Aylsham FC, we are fully embracing the Play Safe message and are committed to ensuring that every player, parent, and volunteer understands the importance of safeguarding. Throughout the weekend, we’ll be providing information and guidance on the steps we are taking to keep our players safe.
How Aylsham FC is Supporting Play Safe
At Aylsham FC, we believe safeguarding is a shared responsibility, and we are proud to champion the Play Safe initiative through the following actions:
- Safeguarding Awareness: Throughout the weekend, we will be sharing important safeguarding resources with players, parents, and volunteers. This will include educational materials on recognizing the signs of abuse, how to report concerns, and how we can all help create a safe environment for everyone involved in football.
- Dedicated Safeguarding Officers: We have trained safeguarding officers at the club who are always available to offer support, answer questions, and handle any concerns raised. Their role is to ensure that our safeguarding policies are upheld at all times and that any issues are addressed swiftly and professionally.
- Training for Coaches and Volunteers: Every coach and volunteer at Aylsham FC is required to undergo safeguarding training, including the FA’s DBS checks. This ensures that everyone working with young players is properly equipped to manage safeguarding issues and can provide a safe and secure environment for children to play and enjoy football.
- Communication with Parents and Guardians: We want all parents and guardians to be fully aware of the safeguarding measures we have in place. We are committed to keeping the lines of communication open and transparent, so that families feel confident in the steps we’re taking to protect their children.
What You Can Do to Support Play Safe
Everyone has a role to play in safeguarding, and the Play Safe campaign is a chance for all of us to reflect on how we can contribute to creating a safe and supportive football environment. Here’s how you can get involved:
- Stay informed: Take time to familiarize yourself with the FA’s safeguarding policies and resources. The more you know about safeguarding, the more proactive you can be in protecting children and vulnerable adults in football.
- Speak up: If you see something that doesn’t seem right, don’t stay silent. Whether you’re a parent, coach, or volunteer, it’s important to report any concerns you have about a player’s safety or well-being to the club’s safeguarding officer.
- Engage with the club: Whether it’s attending one of our safeguarding information sessions or simply asking questions, we encourage parents, players, and volunteers to be active participants in the conversation about safeguarding.
Looking Forward
The Play Safe Weekend is just one step in an ongoing effort to create safer spaces in football. At Aylsham FC, we’re committed to ensuring that safeguarding remains a priority long after the weekend ends. Together, we can make sure football continues to be a sport where everyone feels safe, supported, and able to thrive.
For more information about the Play Safe campaign, visit the official FA Play Safe page.
Let’s work together to make football safe for everyone.
