Safeguarding – Rockets Netball Algarve

Rockets Netball is proud to be the first organisation in Portugal to be a part of the International Safeguards for Children in Sport initiative..

Rockets Netball (RN) is fully committed to safeguarding the welfare and wellbeing of all children and adults in its care, by creating and maintaining a safe and positive environment. Safeguarding is about taking proactive steps to prevent harm taking place and being ready to respond if we’re concerned that harm may be happening. We recognise the responsibility to promote safe practice and to protect everyone from harm, abuse and exploitation.

RN recognises that some children may be more vulnerable than others of a similar age, and that some children and vulnerable adults regretfully may encounter extra barriers due to their race, gender, age, religion, disability, sexual orientation, social background and culture.

Rockets Netball has appointed a Club Safeguarding Officer. Any member who has concerns about safeguarding issues should contact the Club Safeguarding Officer who will ensure that any issue is dealt with quickly and with sensitivity.

All of our youth team coaches have a Portuguese Criminal Record Certificate (Certificado do Registo Criminal) and have undertaken safeguarding and first aid training.

Rockets Youth Netball

Netball is a great game for young people; you get to move your body, have fun and make new friends. Netball should always be enjoyable. While you’re playing netball, whether during or after a match, in a tournament or at club training, no one should ever make you feel upset or uncomfortable. This includes your coaches, the umpires, other players or people watching.

You can tell if something is wrong, if someone:

• Constantly teases you, shouts at you or calls you names

• Threatens, hits, kicks or punches you

• Touches you or does anything in a way that makes you feel uncomfortable

• Makes suggestive remarks or tries to pressurise you into sexual activity

• Damages or steals your belongings

• Does anything that makes you feel lonely, worried, unsafe, hurt, embarrassed or uncomfortable

What to do if you feel worried, upset or uncomfortable about something

If you feel upset or uncomfortable about something that is happening, you should tell someone – this could be a parent or guardian, a coach or the Rockets Netball Safeguarding Officer. If you are unable to speak to one of these people, you should tell an adult you trust or, if this is difficult, you could ask one of your friends to speak to an adult for you.

If you feel in any immediate danger, get away from the situation quickly, go to a public place to find help or call the police (112).

Lines and services to support Children and Young People

In Portugal, the services aimed at supporting children and young people who are victims of violence, their families and other people who may have been affected are:

• SOS Children’s Line – 116 111 – Opening hours are Monday to Friday from 9am-9pm – https://childhelplineinternational.org/portugal-sos-crianca/

• Children’s Line – 800 206 656 – Opening hours are Monday to Friday from 9.30am-5.30pm – https://www.provedor-jus.pt/linha-da-crianca/

• Social Emergency Line – 144 – Open 24hrs – https://www2.gov.pt/guias/cuidador-informal/linha-de-emergencia-social

• Victim Support Line – 116 006 – Opening hours are Monday to Friday from 8am-11pm – https://apav.pt/

• Children in Danger Line – (+351) 961 231 111

• Commission for the Protection of Children and Young People (CPCJ) Tavira – (+351) 281 320 596 – https://cm-tavira.pt/site/acao-social/comissao-de-protecao-de-criancas-e-jovens/

Rockets Netball is committed to safeguarding by:

Having a safeguarding policy, which is available in English and Portuguese

Rockets Netball has a ‘Safeguarding Children and Vulnerable Adults Policy’ which has been approved by the Board of Directors. There are additional protocols and risk assessments available.

Taking the ‘International Safeguards for Children in Sport’ pledge

On 22 July 2025 Rockets Netball Board of Directors took the ‘International Safeguards for Children in Sport’ pledge on behalf of the club. By taking the pledge, the Board of Directors have agreed to the following statement:

“We are committed to working towards safe sport for every child. We pledge to promote the Safeguards through our networks, embed the Safeguards in our work, and support Safe Sport Day.”

Undertaking training

Everyone involved with the youth team has completed safeguarding courses from ‘International Safeguards for Children in Sport’ recommended by World Netball, has completed police checks and all legal requirements to work with children and as a club we have taken the pledge ‘to protect children whenever and wherever they play sport‘,

‘International Safeguards for Children in Sport’ offers 3 online courses, developed with support from a number of organisations including World Netball, on safeguarding:

Safeguarding Essentials is a 90-minute course designed for everyone in sport and explains what safeguarding is, why it is important, and how you can reduce risks and respond to concerns.

Safeguarding Practice is a 12-hour course for anyone in sport wishing to develop a deeper understanding of safeguarding in practice.

Effective Safeguarding is an additional 12-hour course for anyone who has responsibility for leading safeguarding practice in an organisation.

Undertaking a self audit of our safeguarding journey, which is available in English and Portuguese

‘International Safeguards for Children in Sport’ has produced a self audit tool, to help sports clubs measure where they are on their safeguarding journey. Rockets Netball youth team was launched in July 2025, so we are quite early on in this journey. However, the Board of Directors are using this to shape the policy, identify areas where we need to improve and prioritise our next steps.