Safeguarding & Welfare

  As an athlete, there are three requirements for the environment in which we train and compete: that we feel Happy, Healthy and Safe. Over the last few years, the term ‘safeguarding’ has appeared in many areas of sport, with many of us having heard of scenarios where athletes have been mistreated within the sports environment, whether that be bullying, physical abuse, or, more disturbingly, sexual abuse. Unfortunately, these scenarios are not limited to the high-profile cases we hear about in the media but have sadly been happening within clubs nationwide. Mistreatment can happen right in front of our own eyes without us even realising it because so few of us know where the line is between acceptable and unacceptable behaviours of those in positions of responsibility and trust. This has to change. We at The Athlete Place feel that this is a critical issue to discuss on our platform… partly because we have had our own experience of it within a university environment and were blind to the warning signs until it was too late. We want to help others avoid the heartache we’ve endured. We have no intention of going into explicit detail about our experiences; no athlete was physically hurt or subjected to the physical side of sexual abuse… but what we will say is that the psychological fallout was, and to a certain extent still is, significant.   The Importance of Trust  When we go to our sports club, we should have complete trust in the set-up and know, with certainty, that our health, wellbeing, and safety will be paramount to the coaches, support staff and volunteers involved. We need to feel that they are on our side, want what’s best for us, and will never cause us harm. If this trust is broken, a person’s ability to ‘feel safe’ with others going forward can be profoundly affected, impacting friendships and relationships and potentially causing mental health issues further down the line. We don’t deserve this. It’s important to say here that the majority of coaches are 100% dedicated to helping athletes achieve their goals safely and enjoyably… and we are truly indebted to all of them for all they do. Without them, our sports would not exist. It’s that small minority that this applies to…   Where the Line Becomes Blurred … A coach’s job is not only to organise and supervise training sessions but also to act in a way that builds athletes’ confidence. Therefore, saying the right things is an integral part of the role. You should leave a session feeling Happy  Motivated  Confident Positive about your experience and/ or sporting prospects. Unsurprisingly, coaches become trusted, respected adults and sometimes even friends whose words are often viewed ‘as gospel’ in athletes' eyes. They can almost feel like part of the family; you spend so much time together and share many important moments of your life with them.  We tend not to question what they say and do. We shouldn’t need to; they are the ‘experts’, and in any case, the vast majority of coaches and support staff are good, caring people who invariably volunteer vast amounts of time to provide great opportunities for us.  When the Line is Crossed   But, when that line is crossed, the loss of trust is hard to overcome. When you’re convinced that the coach has your best interest at heart and is bringing out the best in you, ‘red flags’ can be easily overlooked, and the benefit of the doubt given if concerns do appear… a very easy trap to fall into…  Looking back at our own experience, the red flags had been waving for a while, but we downplayed them because we trusted him. We also felt guilty raising concerns because this coach was devoting considerable time and effort for free.  Questioning his behaviour would have been awkward, to say the least, and there was a genuine fear that this might impact the coach-athlete relationship. It was, basically, a no-win situation.   Risk Factors Affecting Higher-Performers  Specific issues can begin to occur when athletes start to show sporting potential. Coaches can become more intense, with the athlete receiving more of their attention, sometimes in a one-on-one environment. When athletes get to a level that involves more extensive travelling for competitions, especially those that involve overnight stays, other obvious issues can arise… It's important to say that even at an elite level, scenarios like overseas training camps can present their own safeguarding and welfare complications for athletes, even those in their late teens and twenties...  Note: We have used the word ‘coach’ as a relatable example to represent anyone in a position of responsibility who performs/attempts abusive behaviours within a sporting context.  

Joe & Caroline Fuggle, from The Athlete Place *Disclaimer: This content contains sensitive information that some may find upsetting. We, the founders of The Athlete Place, share our experience of safeguarding issues to support other athletes who may be facing similar issues. We also aim to raise awareness and educate those who have never faced these challenges. Here, Caroline, Joe's mum, gives her account of their real-life safeguarding and welfare experience and describes the implications and impacts that followed. Setting the Scene Rewind the clock to a sunny day in October 2016. I’d taken Joe to a university open day, a year earlier than is normal, in an attempt to create some sort of urgency to knuckle down with A-levels! Walking around the HIPAC (high-performance athletics centre) and gym, he was inspired by the amazing facilities on offer. Ranked No.1 in the UK at that time (for U17 400m hurdles), the university was keen to have him. Like most top applicants to Loughborough University, Joe was headhunted to join one of the leading groups. But as we were leaving, he got chatting with one of the athletes acting as a tour guide, and his contact details were passed on to the coach of an elite training group that would be perfect for his needs. The visit had the desired effect; this was where he wanted to go, and the hard work needed would be worth it. Job done!! How it Started During the drive home, the coach messaged him to say Joe would be more than welcome to join the group. Things were starting to look up. Receiving occasional messages from him seemed almost an honour… his group included GB Athletes, for heaven’s sake. But what I didn’t realise until much later, was that these messages were not occasional, but almost daily conversations, and were not just about training topics but “How's school?” etc… Remember, at this time, Joe was still only 16, a schoolboy. Joe, during his 3rd year of university, 2021   Grooming? Looking back and knowing what we know now, we believe this was grooming. As a mum, I now feel ridiculously foolish and naïve not to have questioned this. But you don’t. You just don’t. You trust that the coach has your kid’s best interest at heart. Why wouldn’t you? Not to mention the fact that Joe was over the moon to feel wanted by a top coach. A few months before he was due to start university, the coach set a training schedule to get started at home. He even came to our house to meet me and go over some of the exercises with Joe. Looking back, this could easily have been all part of the trust-building plan. I guess we will never know. September arrived and it was time to leave home for this new life. He was excited to finally start university and see where this elite training set-up could take him. The training itself was a significant step up from what he was used to, but the coach seemed super supportive. But, looking back, it now feels like control was being exerted over every aspect of life, both on and off the track, under the guise of ‘if you want the results, it’s my way or no way’ … but in all honesty, this control now seems to have a deeper meaning. Joe competed for Loughborough University at the British University Championships in 2018, finishing 2nd. Controlling Behaviour? After a day-time party at a local pub that Joe and his friends attended after training, a photo appeared on Instagram of him holding a bottle of fruit cider (to put this in context: he had one cider and was then home and in bed by 10… not exactly an alcoholic rave!). One cider would, I’d say, be well below the expected standard for any first-year student, even those who were athletes. A few weeks later, at a 1:1 post-season feedback session, the coach told him, and I paraphrase, “I stopped coaching you when I saw that photo. You were no longer worth my time” … Being made to feel guilty by his coach for going out and having fun with his mates was surely overstepping the mark and not right, on any level. Yes, late nights and alcohol consumption aren’t ideal for any high-performance athlete, but we were sure this wasn’t about that. It was about a coach losing the ability to control an athlete. What we hadn’t known was that this coach had a history of creating and then prioritising ‘favourites’, and Joe had been his new project. The innocuous cider incident, we think, could have been a realisation that Joe wasn’t going to be the easy-to-manipulate pushover he’d hoped for. Rejection It wasn’t long before a new ‘favourite’ appeared… yet another school-aged boy hoping to attend the university. This athlete, Ben, lived relatively locally and was soon invited to join the group as a 17-year-old - still at school. At this point, and in our eyes, the coach immediately lost interest in Joe and many others as athletes, projecting his total attention towards the new athlete. This rejection, along with several other scenarios, understandably caused Joe difficulties that were showcased both on and off the track, eventually becoming too much, with him quitting the sport. It was a sad end to a career that had such great prospects. Joe (middle) winning the Schools International, 2015 Grooming… Round Two? Meanwhile, manipulation of the new ‘favourite’ (and his family) began. Becoming liked by the family was an integral part of the deception. Being trusted by the parents meant no one would ever suspect anything untoward. It all felt so familiar to me, now an observer. Invitations to family barbeques and birthday parties became the norm; performances were improving. Life was great for Ben and his family, at least. There still was nothing that leapt out as obviously wrong/inappropriate until one weekend in June 2021… Then it Became Obvious… On the Sunday morning of the British Championships weekend that doubled that year as the final opportunity for Tokyo Olympics team selection, I woke to find multiple missed calls and messages saying, “Mum, where are you? Mum? Mum? Pick up my calls”. I assumed these were to tell me about a results revelation, as Joe’s old training group contained no less than four Olympic hopefuls. Nothing could have prepared me for the manic call that followed. He was crying hysterically and could barely speak, and it took a while before I could work out what he was telling me. In short, he’d just found out that Ben had caught the coach filming him having a shower in the hotel room they were sharing during a two-day competition the weekend before. Imagine seeing a phone camera held against the glass panel above the bathroom door, knowing who was holding it and the shocking realisation of why. After confronting the coach, who immediately admitted guilt and fled, Ben, aged just 20, was left to pick up the pieces, call the police, and wait for his mum to race to Bedford to retrieve her traumatised son. Both then tried to process the fact that the man they had trusted implicitly and had welcomed into their home had betrayed them in one of the most nauseating ways possible. The next day, Ben won a bronze medal at the England Athletics U23 Championships… a perfect example of his mental strength and personality. He then went on to represent GB… He is a legend. Joe, weeks before he decided to leave athletics in December 2019 The Wider Damage Ben had kept the news from the training group, who were already having to deal with being left coach-less and with no explanation as to why, the week before the most crucial competition of their careers. Their compassionate assumption was that maybe a close family member had died, and he’d had to leave urgently. On hearing the actual reason, all hell was let loose within the group. Emotions were extreme, and there was no desire to hide the intense pent-up anger that most of them felt. Some successfully used that anger on the track, whilst others took it out on anything that could legally be punched. What was playing out was so sad to see. They’d all been betrayed. Just one of the four hopefuls made it to the Tokyo Olympics that summer… For Ben, Joe, and the entire training group, the coach's lifetime coaching ban and placement on the sex offenders register will never make up for the trust issues and feelings of betrayal left behind. Were chances for Olympic selection missed as a result? We will never know… Joe has since revealed, following almost one year of therapy, that this coach was the cause for his burnout, subsequent mental health challenges and confidence issues that have had a widespread impact on his life. The Guilt as Parents As parents, Cheryl (Ben’s mum) and I felt betrayed. We had trusted that coach to do what was best for our sons. But looking back, we both agree there were many ‘red flags’ that neither of us felt able to question at the time: On one warm-weather training camp in Tenerife, the coach shared a room with Ben and another male athlete to ‘keep his costs down’. But how could we raise concerns about that when, as an unpaid volunteer coach, he had to fund his own trip to coach our kids? The offers for Ben (whilst still school-age) to stay overnight at his house after training group social evenings or to reduce the distance to drive on weekends. The frequency that body composition measurements were carried out on training group members in their rooms, with doors shut… And perhaps the worst of all, the requests for topless photos of the athletes as ‘updates’ to check in on their nutrition and recovery… Joe and Katarina Johnson-Thompson, 3x World Champion All of these scenarios are now viewed with very deep mistrust and suspicion, and I personally will always feel guilty for not being brave enough to question and speak out about them.  Feeling indebted to a coach or being worried your athlete will lose their place in a training group are not reasons to keep quiet about concerns…. We learnt that the hard way.  We hope that by telling our story, other parents will become more vigilant and be more prepared to speak out or, at the very least, question behaviours they feel are perhaps inappropriate. Safeguarding issues within sports must stop… talking about them to raise awareness is the first step.  

Context Sport can become unenjoyable for many reasons, but if any of these are down to the behaviour of people in positions of responsibility within the sporting environment, a safeguarding/welfare issue may be present.  Below are examples of different types of abuse as defined by World Athletics. These will be the same across all sports: Psychological abuse: Behaviours that include belittling, rejection, vilification, confinement, isolation, verbal assault, humiliation, intimidation, infantilisation. or any other behaviour that may diminish an individual’s sense of identity. Physical abuse: Any intentional or unwanted act, for example, kicking, beating, biting or burning, which causes injury or physical harm. It can include the forced consumption of alcohol or systematic doping practices. It can also be any forced or inappropriate physical activity, such as training, which is unsuitable for the age or physique of the athlete. Parents should become concerned if there seems to be a ‘win at all cost’ mentality. Sexual abuse: Any conduct of a sexual nature, either contact (penetrative or non-penetrative) or non-contact, where consent is not given or cannot be given or is coerced or manipulated. This can involve individuals looking at or making sexual images, watching sexual activities, encouraging others to behave in sexually inappropriate ways, or grooming a person in preparation for abuse. Grooming: The process whereby an individual builds a relationship with a child, encouraging them to trust them so that the groomer can manipulate and exploit them for their own advantage. This is often accompanied by unofficial communications via social media and instant messaging. Grooming an athlete’s family, entourage and friends often leads those individuals to believe that the groomer is dependable and trustworthy, enabling the groomer to have access to the athlete. Grooming can take place online as well as in person.     Sexual harassment: Any unwanted or unwelcome conduct of a sexual nature, whether verbal, non-verbal or physical. Examples include unwanted or degrading intimate questions relating to body, clothes or one’s private life, jokes with sexual innuendo and proposals or demands for non-consensual sexual acts. Exploitation: When someone exercises control over another person and/or their assets for their own “personal gain” and without the fully informed consent of the person. Personal gain may be psychological, reputational or commercial and constitutes exploitation when the rights of a person are sold or negotiated without express and fully informed consent of the other person. Neglect: The failure to provide a minimum level of care, either physical or emotional, which causes harm, allowing harm to be caused or creating an imminent danger of harm. This can include the failure to provide adequate water in high temperatures, adequate clothing in cold temperatures or failing to provide suitable food, accommodation or safe travel arrangements. Favouritism: With favouritism, the danger is that the athlete is being groomed in order to create the belief that the abuser is trustworthy and poses no threat. This then lowers the athlete’s guard (and possibly that of their parents). From this vulnerable position, abuse becomes more likely. Exclusion: Intentional exclusion can seriously damage an athlete’s morale and confidence, especially when accompanied by the feeling that they will never be good enough to win the attention of that person. These feelings can be multiplied when the athlete can see others receiving attention, praise, and support. This type of treatment can be psychologically damaging and is unacceptable. Safeguarding Issues are not Always Obvious.   It’s important to note that safeguarding issues don’t always present as obvious abuse. Some common but not-so-obvious behaviours that can amount to safeguarding issues are: Unofficial offers of 1-1 training, sports massage, physio treatment, etc. Comments about appearance or weight, i.e. body shaming. Offers to provide transport to people under 18. This is by no means a complete list. For more detailed accounts, we recommend visiting your sport’s governing body website, where you will hopefully find a sport-specific policy. Take Home Points Always question anything that concerns you. Knowing what is and is not acceptable behaviour can be confusing… Always follow your gut feeling. If something doesn’t feel or look right, question it. Be aware that safeguarding isn’t just an issue for school-aged athletes… it covers university student-athletes, too. Be aware that safeguarding issues can occur at any performance level… from beginner to elite. Please visit our Resources page for useful links to safeguarding and welfare resources. Note: We have used the word ‘coach’ as a relatable example to represent anyone in a position of responsibility who performs/attempts abusive behaviours within a sporting context.

Context Abusers often use trust to create opportunities. If they happen to be sports coaches or support staff, athletes can become vulnerable prey. The coach-athlete relationship depends on trust, but when there is an underlying ulterior motive, many athletes will not be aware that they are being abused. This is grooming. Grooming is a serious safeguarding issue that can have long-lasting psychological, emotional, and physical impacts. Athletes must be vigilant and question motives, especially when attention, kindness, and communication are more than shown to others. When you're being made to feel special, it can be a wonderful feeling… but this is precisely what abusers hope for and how manipulation becomes possible.  Knowing whether what is being said or done constitutes grooming can be difficult. There can be a very fine line between genuine kindness and this intentional, manipulative form of abuse. Below, we have included the World Athletics definition of ‘grooming’ to help you understand when the line has been crossed.   Definition of Grooming ”Grooming is the process whereby an individual builds a relationship with an athlete, encouraging them to trust them so that the groomer can manipulate and exploit them for their own advantage. Grooming an athlete’s family, entourage, and friends often leads those individuals to believe that the groomer is dependable and trustworthy, enabling the groomer to have access to the athlete. By manipulating the athlete and exploiting the relationship, they will make the athlete believe they must comply with the groomer’s demands. The power a groomer has over the athlete is used to isolate them from friends and family who might otherwise warn or caution them from complying with the groomer’s demands". It's important to understand that grooming can occur online and in person. Be aware that grooming tactics can extend to parents and family members, too. When trusted by the athlete’s support network, an abusive coach’s behaviours can go unnoticed. Take Home Points Look out for the signs: Repeated emphasis on your sporting potential. Feeling you're being treated as the favourite within your training group. A coach* creating scenarios designed to encourage trust and dependency. Attempts to cement a friendship with you outside of the sporting environment, e.g., communications via social media/instant messaging, etc. In short, question motives, report concerns, beware of the trust trap and don’t get sucked in…   Note: We have used the word ‘coach’ as a relatable example to represent anyone in a position of responsibility who performs/attempts abusive behaviours within a sporting context.

Context Speaking out about safeguarding and welfare issues can be challenging and put athletes in a difficult position, especially if it relates to their coach. In an ideal world, weighing up what’s at stake by raising a concern shouldn't be part of the equation. But this isn’t an ‘ideal’ world, and some factors do, sadly, cause athletes to think twice about speaking out. Here are some reasons why concerns often remain unreported: Risk of losing friends: If the athlete is happy in their training group, they may feel they risk losing those friendships and that set-up. Fear of retaliation: Those who speak out may fear reprisals, such as negative consequences from coaches, organisations, or peers. They may worry about being ostracised or facing retaliation that could impact their sporting career or personal relationships. Lack of awareness or understanding: Knowing whether behaviours or situations constitute a safeguarding concern can cause doubt. Athletes should educate themselves about the signs of abuse or grooming tactics. If in doubt, question it. Power dynamics and influence: Coaches, trainers, or officials often hold positions of authority and influence over athletes. This power dynamic can create a sense of dependency, making it challenging for athletes to come forward and report concerns about those in positions of authority. An athlete may feel indebted and guilty about raising concerns if a coach is an unpaid volunteer. This is a common dilemma. Stigma and shame: Victims of abuse or harassment may experience feelings of shame, guilt, or self-blame. The stigma associated with being a survivor of abuse can deter individuals from speaking out, fearing judgment or disbelief from others. Limited support systems: Athletes may feel there are no individuals they trust to disclose safeguarding concerns. They might not have access to appropriate reporting channels or be unaware of the procedures to address such issues. Cultural or societal norms: Cultural or societal beliefs and norms can influence attitudes towards reporting safeguarding concerns. In some cases, there may be a reluctance to acknowledge or address these issues openly, leading to silence and continued abuse. Lost opportunities: If the training group is high-level, the athlete may feel they risk losing out on important opportunities. Reporting Concerns When reporting an issue (or an initial concern), the first point of contact will normally be your club’s Welfare Officer. Their contact details should be available on your club’s website. Alternatively, if you would prefer to bypass the club, there will be, again hopefully, an Online Safeguarding Concern Form available on your Governing body’s website, which the Safeguarding Team will process. We decided to talk publicly about our own safeguarding experience that happened within a university environment in the hope that: It helps others in a similar situation speak out/seek help It educates those who haven’t encountered this sad side of sport to identify unacceptable behaviours and know what actions to take if they do. Take Home Points Don’t ever be too scared to raise concerns and question anything that doesn’t look/feel right. Don’t ever feel you can’t speak out. Voice and/or report any concerns to your club’s welfare officer. Every club will have one. Follow your gut feeling. Trust your instinct.  Note: We have used the word ‘coach’ as a relatable example to represent anyone in a position of responsibility who performs/attempts abusive behaviours within a sporting context.

Context Following a safeguarding issue, it's inevitable that athletes will be affected in some way for some time. The impact and coping strategies that result will be different for each individual. Some will display anger; others may become withdrawn and internalise their feelings and emotions. Prioritising wellbeing will be crucial, alongside monitoring for signs that the situation is becoming overwhelming. Trust is one of the main areas affected by abuse. When an athlete is abused by someone they once admired or respected or someone in a position of authority, their ability to trust can be shattered. This will also affect their ability to trust others, including friends and future relationships. In these situations, it's crucial to have a trusted person to turn to for guidance and support and a support network with people who care about their wellbeing. It is important to allow them to talk (if they want to) and for you to simply listen. Feeling heard will be a crucial part of the healing process.   Getting professional help For many, offloading fears and emotions with an impartial and uninvolved person will be far easier than with family/friends. Professional counselling is highly recommended for these athletes especially. In an ideal scenario, all affected athletes should have access to professional support. Coping Strategies Channelling anger and frustrations to achieve success can be an extremely positive and proactive approach. Every win and personal best can be viewed as, and feel like, a win against the abuser, empowering athletes to rise above the wrong that they have been subjected to.  When a training group is affected Safeguarding issues that involve a coach can sometimes impact an entire training group/team. Knowing they will all be dealing with the same or similar feelings and emotions can provide a common bond within the group. In these scenarios, training partners can be a significant support for each other.  It's important to understand that members of the group might be affected in different ways and to different degrees. Helping Another Athlete  Understand that this will be an incredibly difficult time for them and that they could be affected in many different ways. Encourage them to open up, but be aware that this might be difficult. If they don't want to talk, ensure they know you will be there for them and ready to listen when they are ready. Overcoming this form of adversity might require professional help in the form of counselling. Encourage them to reach out. Self-care is important for wellbeing but is often the first thing to be neglected in these situations. Encourage them to take care of themselves physically, mentally, and emotionally. Remind them that they are not alone and that support is available. Take Home Points Victims can experience many emotions following abuse. Anger is a very common one. Trust issues will inevitably follow. Channelling anger and frustrations to achieve wins and personal bests can be an extremely positive approach.    Note: We have used the word ‘coach’ as a relatable example to represent anyone in a position of responsibility who performs/attempts abusive behaviours within a sporting context.

We have attached below some useful safeguarding and welfare resources. Office for Students Guidance specifically for students within the university and college environment. View now Kyniska Advocacy A female-specific organisation focusing on the protection and welfare of women in sport. View Now World Athletics Safeguarding Policy The information contained in this Governing Body document will be broadly similar across all sports. See link to PDF below.