Can under-16s participate in sporting activities with over-18s? Can children and adults take part in sport together?
Different sports make different decisions on mixed ages taking part in their sports, so there is no single answer to these questions.
Many national governing bodies of sport (NGBs) have developed clear guidelines about mixed aged participation. These guidelines often address differences in size or ability and any safety issues involved. Contact your national governing body.
Consider whether the young people have reached a level of maturity and skill that enables them to take part in a mixed-age group safely, and whether over-18s will set a positive example to younger team members.
We have developed a briefing paper that highlights what safeguards you should have in place when involving young people in mixed age activities or sports.
What to consider with mixed age sport
These are the main areas to think about when young people of different ages, or children and adults are taking part in sports activities together:
- physical safety – any risks to a young person in engaging in the activity with older (probably larger) competitors
- supervision – make sure there are adequate arrangements for the young person to be supervised by an appropriate person, either their own parent or another adult who has had safer recruitment vetting
- changing and showering – consider separate changing or showering arrangements for young people, for example, using the same facilities but at different times to the adults, or allowing them to change and shower at home
- online communication - any online engagement with children and young people in mixed aged teams should take place on public pages/groups or via their parents and carers, and online social groups should be age-appropriate and limited to those involved with the organisation
- travel and sleeping arrangements - young people should share same sex rooms with others of similar ages where possible, with adequate supervision, and their food preferences, allergies and medication should all be considered
- codes of conduct – all adults and young people should sign up to codes of conduct that cover issues such as appropriate language, responsibilities and behaviour
- raising concerns – everyone involved, including young people, should have clear information about how to raise any concerns.
These are covered in detail in the briefing paper.
Anyone who is supervising people under 18 should have safeguarding training, to give them the knowledge and skills needed to help keep the young people in their care safe.
Mixed age sport or activity briefing paper
This guidance has been created to support sports clubs or activity providers with safeguarding considerations, when mixing young people of different age groups or when mixing young people and adults.
Author: NSPCC Child Protection in Sport Unit (CPSU)
Published: 2022