Safe competition

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Whether they're held in your local town hall or an international venue, competitions can be exciting, scary and joyful times. Event and competition organisers should have the following in place, regardless of the scale:

• A pre-competition risk assessment and management plan
• A safeguarding plan, which includes health and safety, and medical coverage suitable for venue and participants
• Agreed rules around head contact, physical contact and weapon use
• Agreed expectations and rules on matching, groupings and weighing
• A lead person with safeguarding responsibility on-site – this person’s contact details should be shared with all staff, volunteers, children, parents and carers
• Safeguarding policies and procedures, which should include:
• Correct supervision ratios – the number of adults needed to supervise, based on the young people's ages and the group size
• Photography and filming procedures – so that everyone is clear as to who can and can’t take and share images and videos
• Code of conduct – everyone should be clear what behaviour is expected of them at the competition (including the spectators)
• A process for responding to and managing safeguarding concerns or incidents
• A process for responding to and managing injuries or illnesses – including medical emergencies such as concussions
• Essential competition information, which is to be shared with children, parents and carers