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Many children in our modern society want to have more independence and to take part in sport with the freedom and safety
their parents and grandparents enjoyed. However, as we all know, it is becoming more and more difficult to create a safety
zone around our children to ensure that they can take part with the knowledge that they are safe and secure.
In our local area we have a socially diverse community, with some children playing on street corners, and fitness is not
a priority. Culloden Harriers was created to provide opportunities for local children to get active and fit while participating
in a fun, safe environment. We looked at how we could inspire all local children and young people with a desire not only to
improve their fitness, but also their self esteem and become winners in society.
Over twelve months ago we invited the parents from our community together, and with their children’s desire, and
their commitment to help; our club was launched in May 2006. We meet every week and the club includes children from age five
upwards. We also have a total inclusion policy for people with disabilities, and have specially qualified coaches assessed
by Scottish Disability Sport. The children take part in a wide range of ‘run, jump and throw’ athletic activities,
including sprinting, middle distance and cross country running, and all types of track and field events.
A year ago we didn’t realise the level of interest and commitment that would be shown. The club has now grown beyond
all our expectations and has over 150 members, including some of the parents of our junior athletes who regularly attend our
joggers group, while their children are being coached by experienced coaches.
However the creation of such a club is not as easy nowadays as it would have been thirty years ago. With today’s
sometimes dangerous environment, we had to ensure that as the guardians of these children, they would be able to take part
without concerns for safety and security. The overall safety of our children was, and is, paramount. Consequently, we had
to be certain that anyone helping at the club on a regular basis was suitable to do so, and our first priority was to appoint
a welfare officer who would oversee all aspects of child protection.
We found that the CHILDREN 1ST / sportscotland model policy, procedures and guidelines Creating
a Safe Environment in Sport were ideal for us and at our first committee meeting, the new child protection policies and procedures
were formally adopted. As Culloden Harriers meet in an open environment, our registration and dispersal procedures must be
extremely thorough. We ensure that each child is ‘checked in’ at the beginning of their session and remains with
us until they are collected by their parent or guardian. All of our sixteen coaches have been enhanced disclosure checked
and have gone through the UK Athletics Level 1 Coaching Course.
As the newest Athletics Club in Scotland, if not the UK, we want to ensure that we keep our children safe from harm at
all times. We would encourage any other community group setting up a similar venture to consider all aspects of safety, to
become familiar with and understand the relevant legislation for protecting children and to adopt the CHILDREN 1ST
/ sportscotland model policy, procedures and guidelines as a priority.
For more information on the Culloden Harriers please contact:
Alister Cameron,
Club secretary & welfare officer on 01463 798577
or e-mail alister.cameron@btinternet.com.
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