The protection of children in our sport has been and remains a priority of the highest order to Tennis Ireland.
For several years now, Tennis Ireland has taken a pro-active role in working with affiliated clubs and other associated bodies to ensure the highest level of compliance within our sport in terms of Code of Ethics and Good Practice for Children's Sport. Various programmes dedicated to the provision of information and training for voluntary officials at all levels of tennis are managed by Roger Geraghty. Roger has acted as our National Children's Officer for the past six years. Equally the Tennis Ireland Board of Directors ensure that this vital topic is on the agenda of every Board meeting, with Seamus Mc Cusker acting as the Director responsible for the development of policies focused towards ensuring the well being of children in Tennis.
In accordance with guidelines issued by the Irish Sports Council in 2006 Tennis Ireland are now also Garda Vetting all people who work in tennis in Ireland, from Tennis Ireland staff, coaches to affiliated member club committees.
These initiatives alone, however, are not sufficient and Tennis Ireland want to ensure that every Executive or Committee member at every club assumes a level of personal responsibility in safeguarding the well being of all member children. We will only succeed in our responsibility to children where high levels of compliance with the Code are supported by the commitment of the Club Officers and ultimately by the commitment shown by every club member.
A series of fact sheets to support the implentation of a Club Child Protection Strategy hav been developed by Seamus McCusker, Ulster Branch Tennis Ireland Children's Officer and Tutor for Child Protection in both jurisdictions from materials originally produced by Roger Geraghty and Seamus McCusker.
Club Responsibilities for Child Protection
To view the Club Responsibilities Document with relation to Child Protection please Click Here...
Club Responsibilities for Child Protection - Club Letter
Each tennis Club recognized by Munster Tennis Branch have received a letter communicating the Club Responsibilities for Child Protection.
A copy of this letter can be downloaded Here...