Introduction
It is accepted that for their development and that of the sport, it will sometimes be appropriate for players aged under 18 to participate with adult players. This can place the young person at increased risk in a number of respects:
1. Physical injury
2. Psychological harm caused by pressure to perform.
3. Emotional harm caused by exposure to adult behaviour and interactions.
These risks are heightened when a young person participates in senior sledge hockey in circumstances where their physical development, skill level and experience are not equal to that of the adult players he or she will interact with.
The purpose of this policy is to:
• Protect the safety and welfare of players participating in senior sledge hockey at an age younger than eighteen years;
• Ensure that players participating in a senior sledge hockey competition / games at an age younger than eighteen years have comparable physical development, skill level and playing experience to the participants in senior sledge hockey whom they are playing with and against; and
• To ensure that all involved in the decision to permit a player to participate in a senior sledge hockey game /competition at an age younger than eighteen years, understand that sledge hockey is a contact sport and, like all contact sports, players are exposed to the risk of injury and that this risk may be heightened where a player participates in a senior sledge hockey competition at an age younger than eighteen years of age.
All BSHA affiliated clubs are required to adhere to this policy.
This policy should be implemented in conjunction with the BSHA’s Child Protection Policy & Procedures.
Scope
This policy applies to all players, coaches / teachers and administrators involved in the playing of sledge hockey in the UK and for the Great Britain team.
Policy
Senior sledge hockey players must be aged 18 or over unless a specific exception can be authorised in line with the following requirements:
In exceptional cases, a player’s physical development, skill level and experience may be such
that they may be allowed to participate in senior sledge hockey at an age younger than eighteen years old.
Players will only be permitted to participate in senior sledge hockey aged younger than eighteen in the following circumstances:
1. The relevant supporting forms have been completed by the club head coach and/or GB head coach, the young person’s parent or guardian, the young person’s GP.
2. Team discussion has been held by the coach to make senior players aware of their responsibilities to safeguard the young person from exposure to inappropriate behaviour or discussion.
3. The proposal is approved by the BSHA Child Protection Officer
4. The young person’s parent or guardian is present during all training sessions and competitions.
Process
• The supporting forms are completed by the coach, parent/guardian, and GP and submitted to the Child Protection Officer
• The exception will either be approved by the Child Protection Officer, OR areas of concern will be returned to the appropriate person for provision of further information. The Child Protection Officer may meet or observe the young person or delegate their club’s Child Protection Officer to do so on their behalf.
• Approval will be notified to all parties in writing OR any applications with outstanding concerns may be referred to the BSHA committee for discussion.
• Any declined proposals will be notified to all parties in writing, with explanation of what changes would be required for the decision to be reviewed.
