World Rowing expands safeguarding awareness and education

Safeguarding protocols and procedures were first introduced in 2019 after more than a year was spent working with experts to craft the best approach. In 2020 further updates to the procedures were approved at World Rowing’s Extraordinary Congress.

Awareness and education has always been one of the main pillars to safeguarding. Through workshops and seminars World Rowing has already been spreading the word. The effort will be bolstered through the upcoming webinars which are not only coronavirus-safe, but also provide access to participants who might not otherwise have been able to attend.

The webinars are designed to raise awareness of safeguarding matters across the entire rowing community. They will support member federations in implementing safeguarding policies and procedures as well as provide more information for athletes, coaches and participants.

“It is vital that we continue to raise awareness across our member federations, and in particular across the athlete and coach communities,” says World Rowing Governance Manager Lucy Trochet. “These webinars are a fantastic opportunity for all participants to learn more about safeguarding from our safeguarding experts, with contributions also from our athletes, coaches, and member federations.”

The webinars build on a series of other workshops that have taken place at World Rowing events including Joint Commission Meetings, coach conferences, competitions and member federation conferences.

Other safeguarding efforts include the introduction of new safeguarding language in the 2020 rulebook, safeguarding officers present at all World Rowing events since 2019 and online resources available via the safeguarding web page on worldrowing.com.

If you are interested in attending the free webinars, please register using the links provided.

15 March, 1pm and 7pm CET

Webinar 1 – What is safeguarding in rowing and how should we deal with it?

Moderator: Mark Mungal

Panelists: Sandi Kirby; Annamarie Phelps

19 March, 1pm and 7pm CET

Webinar 2 – The Athlete & Coach perspective: creating a safe environment.

Moderator: Mark Mungal

Panelists: Lenka Dienstbach-Wech; Frida Svensson; Mehdi Garidi; Sandi Kirby

https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_MlP0vU6wSWqjVOrT-HTqsA

26 March, 1pm and 7pm CET

Webinar 3 – Member Federation leaders and officials’ perspective: practical guidance on developing policy & procedures.

Moderator: Jeff Powell

Panelists: Annamarie Phelps; Chris Perry

https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_Mj79TtmaQ7-ogNUknp1jLw

Please check the Safeguarding webpage on the World Rowing website for further information. .

If you have any questions please email lucy.trochet@worldrowing.com.