What makes a good sports club?

Asking a few questions when your child is taking part in a combat sport competition will help you understand how it will run. You and your child can then feel safe to focus on having fun and competing.

This guidance is for parents and carers, so you know what to look for, and how you will know that a competition or tournament organiser has considered safety and safeguarding as part of their event planning and delivery.

What should parents know about combat sport competitions?

Competitions are an integral part of sport. Whether they are just for fun, or part of talent pathway to elite-level careers. All competitions are organised differently and they take place locally, nationally and internationally.

If the sport has a high risk of serious injury, head injury or concussion (including martial arts, rugby, trampolining, horse riding or other contact sports), you should feel confident that the organisers are doing all they can to prevent and protect your child from harm whilst taking part.

A good club or competition organiser will be happy to answer your questions and provide you with documents. 

5 questions parents could ask before combat sport competitions

These questions will help you to know what the organisers are doing to help keep your child safe while taking part. These also feature on a poster that can be downloaded and shared with your sport club and other parents and carers.

1. What rules will the competition follow?

If the organisation is connected to a national governing body (NGB), they should follow their NGB's rules. But any competition organiser may use their own rules. Check what the rules are and make sure you’re happy with them. If you’re not happy, it’s okay to withdraw your child from the competition.

2. How safe will my child be?

The organisers should be able to explain how and who will keep your child safe, including:

• who is first aid trained and where they’ll be located during the competition,
• will there be enhanced medical provision on site (this could be an ambulance with qualified paramedics)
• what happens in an emergency or if a child is injured,
• who handles the safety of the event,
• and who to speak to if you have any worries.

3. How are the officials and judges trained?

All adult staff and volunteers should understand the rules, be aware of head injury, and signs and symptoms of concussion. They should know how to respond and confidently manage the competition. All staff and volunteers should have received appropriate training for their roles. For more about safeguarding training, visit our training pages.

4. Will they wear protective equipment?

The organisers should confirm the protective clothing and equipment children must wear for competitions. They should provide clear information about the rules and quality of such clothing and equipment to help reduce injuries.

5. How are children grouped for matches?

Ask how children are grouped, is this by age, weight or skill level? Make sure it’s fair and safe. If there are mixed ages or abilities, the physical safety of any young person may be put at risk when engaging in the activity with older (probably larger) competitors. If you have any concerns, talk to the safeguarding lead.

What should combat sport competition organisers have in place?

Event and competition organisers should have the following in place:

• a pre-competition risk assessment and management plan
• a safeguarding plan, which includes health and safety and medical coverage 
• a lead person with safeguarding responsibility - this person’s contact details should be shared with all staff, volunteers, children and 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 ages and group size
  • photography and filming procedures – so that everyone is clear 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. 
• essential competition information, which is to be shared with children, parents and carers

All of the above are covered and detailed in our sports events, activities and competitions guidance for sports organisations.

Things to remember before sport competitions

Getting ready for a sport competition can be hectic and exciting, so here are just a few practical things to remember to help keep your child safe.

• update your parental consent for children to take part, receive medical treatment if necessary and photography and filming consent
• update your child’s medical and emergency contact information with the club or activity
• confirm travel and transport arrangements to and from competitions
• if the competition is an away day trip, or there are overnight trips or international travel, what safeguards are in place?
• review the competition code of conduct so everyone knows what behaviour is expected of them
• talk to the competition organiser and club if your child becomes unwell or has suffered a recent injury. Should they still take part?

Transporting children in cars

Children often need transport to and from competitions, and it's reasonable for clubs and activity organisers to ask parents to make these arrangements. We encourage coaches or other volunteers or staff not to take children on journeys alone in their cars.

If there is no alternative and an adult from the club has to transport a child, there are a number of safety measures we recommend. 

Make sure you know what the transport arrangements are, including who will be transporting your child and how long the journey will take, and check your child is comfortable with the plans. See our guidelines on transporting children or young people in cars for full details.

Things to remember after combat sport competitions

After your child has taken part in a combat sport competition, there are some things that you can do to help them recover and celebrate.

• Post-combat recovery. Ask the club or competition organiser for guidance on what to look out for if your child has sustained any injuries, especially head injuries or concussion. They should be able to give you advice, including on when your child can return to training.
• Praise effort and progress, not just performance. Regardless of the outcome, praise effort and progress not just the result. Read our tips on negotiating the post-game conversation to support your child during and after losses or wins.
• Raise any concerns or worries as soon as possible with the competition organiser and or your child’s sports club.

Key things to consider

• If you’re not happy with any answer, ask for more information or consider whether your child should enter the competition.
• You can also contact your NGB or the NSPCC Helpline on 0808 800 5000 or by emailing help@NSPCC.org.uk for further advice and information.

Further information

• how safe is your child's sports club? Posters to download and use in your club or activity
• duty of care in sport
• safeguarding in martial arts
• safeguarding code for martial arts
• talking about concussion with Progressive Rugby - CPSU blog

How to choose a summer holiday activity club

If you are choosing a holiday activity programme for the first time for your child, it can be overwhelming. There may be lots of options provided by schools, sports clubs, leisure centre or other activity providers. What do you choose and how do you know your child will have a good time?

Here are some simple tips to help you choose the right club for your child.

1. Variety of activities: Will your child enjoy a club that offers a variety of activities, or do they prefer to focus on one activity or sport? Look for a club that offers something your child will enjoy. Some offer healthy lunch and snacks. This can help your child keep interested and help them learn new things.
2. Qualified staff: Make sure the staff are trained to look after children and not just the sport or activity they are hosting. Ask them what DBS or vetting checks have been carried out, what safeguarding training they have had, who is the first aider, and who your child can talk to if they have a worry.
3. Environment: The venue should be clean and safe. If it's outdoors, the area should be well-kept and secure. Ask them what happens in case of rain or heatwaves. Will children have access to clean water, toilets and changing rooms if needed?
4. Safety: The club should check that all activities and equipment are safe. There should be enough trained staff to watch over the children properly. What happens if a child is injured or there is an emergency?
5. Reviews: Read reviews or ask the opinion from other parents to see if the club is known for being safe and fun.
6. Welcoming: The club should state the age-range and ability for activities, making sure you will feel confident that your child can take part and enjoy. Talk to them and see if they can support your child’s interests or any additional needs.
7. Communication: The club should keep you updated about what your child is doing and let you know if your child has any difficulties or anything happens. Ask how they will do this and who you can talk to if you have a worry or concern.
8. Consent: If your child is under 16, the club should seek your consent for them to take part in activities, to take their photo, give first aid and who has permission to pick them up or how they get to and from the activity. For older children, they may seek their consent but should let you know.
9. Registered: Many holiday activity clubs are registered with an official agency that puts things in place to make sure the club is of good quality and safe for your child. This could be the National Governing Body of a sport, the local council or Ofsted. Ask who checks them and holds them to account.

These tips can help make sure your child has a fun and safe holiday experience. Remember – if you’re not happy with any answer, ask for more information or look around for a different club.

Download our checklist to make asking questions of the club or provider easier.

Holiday activity and food programme

Many areas are funded to provide holiday activities for school-aged children and even make them available for free to children who are eligible for free school meals. Many host their activities on Playwaze or through the local council websites. There are also programmes hosted by local sport clubs, your school or leisure centres, which you can find through your local Family Hub.

If you choose a holiday club that is registered with Ofsted, you may be able to use your tax-free childcare account to pay for it. Please check the Childcare Choices website for more details.