On a beautiful, if chilly October Saturday at Oak Lodge in the middle of the Thetford Forest the Safeguarding Officers and Youth Chairmen for the Eastern Counties met.

They were updated on the new RFU Safeguarding Policy by Martin Peacock, EC Safeguarding Manager. Unfortunately, the new Safeguarding Toolkit due to be released in September had not be ‘signed off’ by the RFU, so their new binders had only got the policy in. However, there were lots of questions, which not only helped the delegates but raised a few issues for the RFU.

Martin was followed by Detective Chief Inspector Sue Inwood of  Met Police Child Abuse Investigation Command, who gave fascinating and informative insights into drugs in sport and child abuse.

A delicious lunch at the nearby High Lodge Centre was then followed by a presentation from Gary Townsend, the RFU Player Development Manager. His proposition that coaching should be more child- centred than team-centred, was praised by all, and the new developments at the RFU for youth rugby were met by approval by those who there.

The end of the day saw the delegates discussing genuine case scenarios that the RFU had dealt with in the past, opening the eyes of many new CSOs to the problems that may surface. Huw Davies (EC Disciplinary Chairman) was present for a final question time, which revolved mainly around section 15 age dispensations, and what was Discipline and what was Safeguarding.

Twenty Clubs were in attendance with many CSOs accompanied by their Youth Chairs.

The following Clubs did not send a representative and need to ensure they get the new Safeguarding Officers Handbook – Beccles, Brightlingsea, Cambridge , Diss, Ely, Fakenham, Felixstowe, Hadleigh, Haverhill , Holt, N. Walsham, Norwich, Saffron Walden, Southwold, Thorpeness, Wisbech and Woodbridge.