Safeguarding in Market Harborough Netball League

Market Harborough Netball League is committed to providing a safe, positive and inclusive environment for everyone taking part in our league. Safeguarding is everyone's responsibility. Players, officials, coaches, team representatives and volunteers should all contribute to an environment where concerns can be raised openly and individuals are treated with dignity and respect.

MHNL will follow England Netball safeguarding policies, reporting procedures and Codes of Conduct in responding to any safeguarding concern.

Team Safeguarding Officers

Every team entering MHNL must nominate a Safeguarding Officer.

The nominated person should:

• Be clearly identified to the League when the team joins or renews its entry.

• Allocate the appropriate Safeguarding Officer role on ENgage, where applicable.

• Act as the safeguarding point of contact for their team.

• Help safeguard all players involved in their team on match days, with particular awareness of players under 18 and any players who may require additional support.

• Be familiar with England Netball safeguarding policies, procedures and Codes of Conduct.

Where possible, Team Safeguarding Officers should hold an appropriate safeguarding qualification, such as the relevant 1st4sport safeguarding training, together with an appropriate DBS check where their role requires one (in the case of responsibility for U18s etc.).

From 1 September 2026, England Netball requires those in regular contact with children to hold the appropriate DBS check in line with its safeguarding requirements.

League Safeguarding Officer

The MHNL League Safeguarding Officer is Emma Weir.

Emma should be the first point of contact for all safeguarding questions, concerns or disclosures relating to league activity. Team Safeguarding Officers should seek her advice whenever they are unsure how to manage a situation rather than attempting to investigate safeguarding concerns themselves.

Any safeguarding concern should be treated seriously, sensitively and confidentially and managed in accordance with England Netball's safeguarding and reporting procedures.

Players Under 18

Where a player under the age of 18 participates within a team, their welfare remains a particular priority.

The team must ensure there is an appropriate responsible adult overseeing their welfare during league activity.

Responsible adults should ensure that the young person:

• Understands and follows the league Code of Conduct.

• Demonstrates appropriate sporting behaviour and etiquette towards teammates, opponents and officials.

• Wears appropriate kit and is suitably prepared to participate.

• Knows who they can speak to if they are worried, uncomfortable or need support.

• Is appropriately supported before, during and after matches.

The responsible adult should remain observant throughout league activity and be alert to any difficulties the young person may experience both on and off the court, including inappropriate behaviour, bullying, distress, injury, excessive pressure or situations in which they appear uncomfortable. Appropriate safeguarding in sport training covers all of these areas, hence our recommendation.