Championing safe sport: Rise’s commitment to welfare and inclusion

In honour of Safe Sport Day, Sarah Baylis (Rise’s Sport Welfare Manager North of Tyne) has shared an insight into her role and the importance of advocating for safeguarding, welfare, and inclusion in all sports clubs and organisations.

“This Safe Sport Day, I am excited to share with you an insight into my role as Rise’s Sport Welfare Manager covering Northumberland, North Tyneside and Newcastle. I work alongside Richard who is Rise’s Sport Welfare Manager covering areas south of the river.

My role is part of a new nationwide network of sport welfare officers funded by Sport England and the National Lottery. We support sports clubs and organisations to create safer, more inclusive, and welcoming spaces. I’m really honoured to be a part of this important initiative. Having always loved sport and physical activity, I’m passionate about championing these values in my role!

Although we celebrate safe sport day today, it’s a helpful reminder to make sport safe every day and remember that we all have an important part to play in that.

My role is to support club welfare and safeguarding officers, as well as other volunteers in sports clubs and organisations. I provide them with training, often focusing on inclusive club development, adopting high safeguarding standards, and sharing best practice tips from across all sports!

I collaborate with a wide network of experts to ensure I provide the best support. This includes National Governing Bodies, charities like Mind, and organisations such as the Child Protection in Sport Unit, among many others!

I’ve enjoyed visiting different local sports clubs such as badminton, volleyball and rugby clubs. I’ve also attended some fantastic events such as a recent regional gymnastics competition that showcased local gymnasts.

If you’re a local club seeking support or wanting to get involved, I’d love to hear from you. I’m here to answer any safeguarding and welfare questions, or if you’d like to chat about your welfare role, I’d be delighted to visit and learn more about your club!

I believe that children and adults’ safeguarding and welfare should always be a top priority. Together we can champion safeguarding, welfare and inclusion in our clubs so that everyone can have great experiences in sport and physical activity – that’s why I’m #TeamSafeSport – get involved with the campaign today and showcase how you advocate safe sport too!”

If you need support with safeguarding and welfare, please contact Sarah or Richard at the email addresses provided below:
Sarah (North of Tyne): sarah.baylis@wearerise.co.uk
Richard (South of Tyne): richard.steele@wearerise.co.uk

Learn more about Safe Sport Day at safeinsport.org