This season, we asked clubs and leagues at every level of the game to make a Play Safe Pledge ahead of the Play Safe Weekend, a countrywide campaign to focus attention of the vital importance of safeguarding in football.

The pledge could come from coaches, players, parents/carers, spectators or volunteers telling us what they were planning to do to make a difference and highlight the importance of safeguarding over the Play Safe weekend.

More about the Play Safe Weekend

This year’s Play Safe weekend focused on the safeguarding role EVERYONE has to play – coach, player, parent/carer, spectator or volunteer – to keep children and young people safe, no matter what the football setting. 

EVERYONE, EVERYWHERE, EVERYTIME is encouraged to WATCH, LISTEN, TALK and ACT if they have any safeguarding concerns.

Find out more about The FA’s Play Safe campaign 

As well as Captain’s wearing armbands and coaches/managers wearing the Play Safe pin badges to show their support; Cumberland FA also encouraged ALL parents/carers to undertake the FREE 30 minute Safeguarding Awareness for Parents & Carers online course.

The FA is doing everything it can to create safe and positive environments wherever children play football. This course will enable parents/carers to play an active role towards achieving that goal.

TAKE THE COURSE 

With more than 30 ‘Pledges’ linked to Cumberland (not all pledges included a Club so we were unable to include these in the prize draw), we recently made the prize draw and we’re delighted to confirm the winners below:

PRIZE DRAW WINNERS

£50 Kitlocker Voucher - Maryport Amateur FC – Kelly Rowley
£100 Kitlocker Voucher - Maryport Athletic FC – Justin Booty
5 X Size 5 Footballs - Sun Inn FC – Mel Scott
1 Respect Pack (Board & Barrier) - Harraby Catholic Club U10 – Charmaine Lakin
1 set of Respect Barriers - Stanwix FC U10 Girls – Paul Ritson
1 Respect Board - Northbank U15 – Lee Tedford
Coaches Pack - Abbeytown U10 Girls – Sharron Caton

Random Prize Workington Diamonds Reds U10 Girls – Mike Crelling

Random Prize Whitehaven AFC – Mark Nichols

We will be in touch with the winners of the prize draw early next week to arrange for collection/drop off of the prizes.

Expand

Alongside Westmorland FA, a Play Safe Competition for Mini Soccer Players and Parents (U7 to U10s) also took place, giving players across both counties the opportunity to play a game at either Kendal Town, Workington AFC or Carlisle United.

A bingo card was provided and once the four tasks were completed entries were sent to Cumberland FA (CFA based Clubs) or Westmorland FA (Westmorland based Clubs)

- Try my best in training or a match
- Shake hands with my opponents or teammates 
- Shout encouragement to my teammates
- Have my Parent, carer or guardian complete the FREE online Safeguarding Awareness for Parents & Carers course.  

Following the entry deadline, the draw was made and the following winners were drawn. Congratulations to the winning team and entry (winning entry in brackets) and we wish you all the best in your fixture at one of the 3 grounds!

Under 10 fixture to be played at Carlisle United

Ibis United (Ned Nelson) v Gosforth (Charlie Robertson) 

Under 10 fixture to be played at Kendal United 

Ambleside Under 10’s (James Mcalesee) v Kendal United (Edison Wislon)

Under 8 fixture to be played at Workington AFC

Maryport Athletic Under 8’s (Theo Gartland) v Whitehaven AFC Under 8 Girls (Edie Lawson)

Cumberland Winners have been contacted regarding the fantastic prize! Please email Safeguarding@CumberlandFA.com if you have any queries.

For more information on Safeguarding in Football, please visit the England Football page HERE 

Did you know that every Cumberland FA Affiliated Club and League with Youth Teams MUST HAVE in place a:

Safeguarding Children Policy and Procedure and a Welfare Officer who has an FA DBS check (formally known as CRC) and completed the Safeguarding Children Workshop and Welfare Officer Workshop.
How to Report Your Concerns

Safeguarding children is everyone's responsibility. If you are worried about a child it is important that you report your concerns - no action is not an option.

If you are concerned about your child or another child in your club, you would normally contact your Club Welfare Officer (CWO) in the first instance.

You should be given the contact details of the CWO at the start of the season. If you do not know who your CWO is, speak to a coach in your club and ask for their details. The CWO will normally deal with cases of poor practice and behaviour within your club.

For concerns of a serious nature or for advice and guidance please contact Steve Greenway, Cumberland FA’s Designated Safeguarding Officer on 01900 511800 or 07704 156780, or via email Safeguarding@CumberlandFA.com