The thoughts and comments on this page are personal and may not represent the 'official' views of GNAS or AAS!!!!

There has been, for some time, a feeling amongst a number of archers that we can happily avoid the problem of protecting children in our sport. "Nothing will happen and if it does it won't concern me. If it might then we will ban children from our club and that will be alright!".

In 1995 Government figures showed that 34,500 children were 'officially' registered as being in need of protection from abuse.

Recent events, and the above figures, show just how wrong we could be on all these counts. I am not an expert on the subject, although I have professionally been made aware of the problems and the associated processes but I do feel that we, as archers, should be looking forward rather than backwards (as some have done) and that we can do so with the correct information and training.

GNAS has put into place a scheme that should avoid clubs being charged with negligence or being involved in failing to protect the children in our care. This will, of course, only work if all clubs who have children in their ranks carry out the recommendations. Too many clubs do not.

Recent reading has led me to a book that I would advise those working with children in any sport (or for that matter in any profession!!!) to look at. It does not seek to be a comprehensive manual but it does seek, through a series of articles, worksections etc., to give any archer (be they coach, instructor, club chairman etc.) a framework within which to work, to think and to be confident in the face of the ever increasing chance of being involved in a case of child abuse.

The title of the book is 'Protecting Children' and it is published by Coachwise (NCF) and the NSPCC and developed in conjunction with the RYA. It costs £8.618 (inc P&P) from Coachwise, Units 2/3 Chelsea Close, off Amberely Road, ARMLEY, Leeds, LS12 4HW (0113 231 1310).

There are also courses run by NCF and similar organisations.

A final thought (to paraphrase another quotation that I cannot source!!).. If we ingnore it do we not condone it?

Comments and questions may be sent to me as the webmaster of this site.