2025 – 2026
North Midlands Safeguarding Manager is Judith Phelps
07773326439 email: NMRFUSafeguarding@aol.com
There are currently 5 Assistant Safeguarding Managers who each have a number of clubs to support.
Kathryn Bowyer Tel: 07717 163296 Email: katbowyer@yahoo.co.uk
Deb Mansell Tel: 07894 936159 Email: debm.26gilson@gmail.com
Rachel Baker Tel: 07974 019078 Email: rachelbaker0509@gmail.com
Sarah Kane Tel: 07968 805470 Email: safeguarding@malvernrfc.co.uk
Natalie Cheadle Tel: 07966 442158 Email: nutterly@hotmail.com
On all occasions, the Rugby Football Union and North Midlands RFU consider the welfare of the child is paramount.
Children are the lifeblood of our game and it is crucial that they are cared for in the correct manner. Any player under the age of 18 is classed as a child and should be respected as such.
The RFU Safeguarding pages sets out key principles as well as providing best practice guidance. We all share the responsibility for safeguarding and, therefore, the information will be both relevant and useful for all those involved in creating safe environments in rugby union whether as a parent, coach, spectator or club official. To provide children with the best possible experiences and opportunities in rugby union, it is imperative that everyone operates within an accepted ethical framework and demonstrates exemplary behaviour. This not only ensures the game makes a positive contribution to the development of children, safeguards them and promotes their welfare but also protects all personnel from allegations of abuse or poor practice.
North Midlands Safeguarding Responsibilities
The role of the North Midlands Safeguarding Manager includes the following:
- To aid the Club Safeguarding Officers
- Support clubs to produce a Safeguarding Policy and Code of Conduct
- Monitor implementation of Safeguarding Policies and procedures.
- To ensure the DBS disclosure processes are implemented.
- Have a formal role on relevant committees within North Midlands RFU.
- To ensure all reported cases are reported to the RFU and to advise clubs on the management of reported cases with the RFU.
Club Responsibilities
All Clubs with Junior Players (u18), should have the following minimum procedures in place:
- A named Safeguarding Officer who is easily contactable.
- DBS checks carried out on all adults who engage in regulated activities with Junior players.
- A Safeguarding Policy and related procedures adopted by club committee and implemented.
- To complete an annual Safeguarding Audit.
In order to comply with the RFU Safeguarding requirements, please see the links on this page
RFU Regulations of relevance are
Safeguarding – RFU Regulation 21, and RFU Regulation 15: Age Grade Rugby.
These Regulations must be adhered to.
The following links will take you to documents which will provide help and guidance to understand club safeguarding policies and procedures.
RFU Safeguarding Pages – Safeguarding
Touring with Children Guidance – Touring With Children
Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS)
The RFU is committed to ensuring that all children enjoy rugby union in a safe and enjoyable environment. The RFU requires any individual engaged in a Regulated Activity to undertake a Disclosure & Barring Service (DBS) check through their club, in order to work with children in accordance with Regulation 21.
All relevant information about the RFU DBS process can be found here:
https://www.englandrugby.com/run/safeguarding/safer-recruitment/dbs-information-for-applicants
Reporting an incident – sharing a concern:
If you have any concerns about a child contact your Club Safeguarding Officer or one of the North Midlands Safeguarding team, who will be able to advise you further.
If any of the above are not available or you are not sure what to do, contact or leave a message on the RFU Safeguarding Line (0208 831 6655) and a member of the Safeguarding team will get in touch or contact them on safeguarding@rfu.com
Please see RFU Safeguarding pages about Sharing Concerns
https://www.englandrugby.com/run/safeguarding/sharing-concerns
Your concerns may relate to the behaviour of any child or adult involved or spectating at your club. These may include general concerns about a child’s welfare, concerns about bullying or poor practice, suspicions or allegations of misconduct or allegations of abuse.
If you consider a child is in immediate danger you can contact the NSPCC 24-hour freephone helpline (0808 800 5000) or the police
Safeguarding Courses
To ensure the highest level of safeguarding in English rugby, and to support its numerous volunteers, the RFU offers two safeguarding courses.
Play It Safe
This course is for any volunteer or coach at a club who is working with or has responsibility for children.
- To run a course at your club please contact a tutor on the Play it Safe Tutor map providing 2 or 3 alternative dates. The course has to be run either on a night when no one else is using the club the club or in a room that can be closed off for privacy. The RFU require a 6-week lead in so please give the tutor plenty of notice.
Play It Safe Booking a Course and Play it Safe Tutor map.
In Touch
Although the In Touch course is specifically targeted at Club Safeguarding Officers, in order for them to complete their training as specified in Regulation 21, we encourage any club official to attend this course to familiarize themselves with the scope of the role. This course is now delivered online and booking can be accessed through this link;
Regulation 15
There can sometimes be confusion about the circumstances in which players can play out of their ‘normal’ age group. Below some basic principles are outlined – but please look at both Regulation 15 itself and the associated Codes of Practice for full details and good practice advice.
However, the primary guiding principle of Regulation 15 is that players play with their peers. Playing up or down should be unusual.
There are 3 categories of consent
- 17-year-olds playing in the adult game.
- Combining age groups
- Playing up or down
Girls are already in a double band so no movement allowed – except U11s can apply for consent to play up with U12.
17-year-olds playing adult rugby.
First Step – Club consent. This is to ensure measures are in place to look after the 17-year-olds.
- Once Club consent is given – individual player applications can be submitted.
- Players should be adequately assessed, preferably by a minimum Level 2 or ERCA coach. Assisted by a senior coach
- CBs are informed of all 17-year-olds who appear on electronic match cards.
Using players in an incorrect age group without consent could result in both individual and / or club disciplinary action.
Combining
This can happen when
- there are insufficient players to create a team.
- 2 adjacent ages.
- No more than one third of the players on the pitch at any one time.
- Play to the younger rules.
- Always inform the opposition / referee.
Playing up or down
Neither of these categories are meant to solve a numbers problem.
- Playing up is meant for your exceptional player(s) who would benefit from it.
- Playing down – for players of small stature or with developmental or behavioural issues.
We expect adequate assessments are carried out for all applications.
Please remember the welfare of the child is paramount.
If you see something – say something.
Judith Phelps
CBSM – North Midlands RFU
Teamwork Respect Enjoyment Discipline Sportsmanship