With us now being 3 months into this year's rugby season, we thought it was timely to provide some Safeguarding reminders to you all.
Changing rooms etiquette:
Under no circumstances should players 18 or under be changing for games with players over the age of 18. Separate changing rooms must be provided - this includes any time we have players playing up to senior level.
There should be no adults in these changing rooms at any time. Should an adult need to enter the changing rooms, for example for health & safety reasons, the following practices must be observed:
- Do not enter alone. You yourself must be an RFU DBS cleared individual, and you must have a second individual vetted to the same level with you at all times.
- Knock loudly on the door and clearly and obviously announce your intention to come into the changing rooms. Check everyone is decent and wait for confirmation of this before going any further, unless immediate entry is required.
- Once you have dealt with whatever situation you were there to address, leave the changing rooms. Do not hang about inside.
Clubhouse etiquette:
- It is inappropriate behaviour to encourage underage drinking games, even without alcohol, in the clubhouse.
Tackle bags:
- If you are using tackle bags during practice or as part of your warmups, these must be held by another player. There should be no incidents of an adult holding a tackle bag for any reason.
- All demonstrations of tackle technique should be verbally communicated. In extreme circumstances, for example needing to address poor form for health and safety reasons, permission from the players parent/guardian should be sought first.
RFU DBS:
- There are still a number of team managers, coaches and other club volunteers who have not renewed their DBS checks for this year. We made a big effort to get these done during the summer months. We will re-contact everyone who's checks are outstanding still, but if these are not renewed, you will not be allowed to continue volunteering at Alton RFC. DBS checks are mandatory for anyone working with children and we take this seriously.
New volunteers:
- It's fantastic to see some new faces helping out this season. Please remember we have to vet all volunteers at the club, so anyone wanting to help out on a regular basis needs to come and see the Club Safeguarding Officer before doing so.
- We will use the club issued ID cards and armbands to keep visual check on people volunteering at training and matches. If you aren't seen wearing one, it will be assumed that you are a new volunteer, so please wear yours at all times.
- Team managers: a message in the WhatsApp group informing us of someone new wanting to volunteer is enough to get the ball rolling. We'll pick that up as soon as possible but would appreciate your assistance in ensuring the person doesn't start helping with sessions until we've completed the new volunteer process we have in place at the club.
Transport to/from training and matches:
- A reminder that you should not be transporting anyone under the age of 18 in your personal vehicles without explicit written permission of their parent/guardian.
- If you are transporting anyone, make sure you sit them in appropriate positions within the vehicle, for example in the seat behind the driver, assuming you are the driver, or opposite one of your own children.
Remember, the safeguarding practices in place at ARFC are there to protect you as well as our players. If you have any questions about any of the above, please reach out to Georgia or Tom who'd be happy to chat.

That's it! Thanks G