Safeguarding

The Bowls Development Alliance (BDA) works in partnership with the BCGBA and other National Governing Bodies (NGBs) of bowls to build a safe environment for young people and adults to enjoy playing bowls. All partners are committed to ensuring that support is available to every affiliated club so systems can be put in place to make bowls an enjoyable and safe experience for all.

Everyone in bowls has a part to play in safeguarding young people and adults at risk. We have created a variety of guidance documents, templates and educational resources, alongside the core safeguarding policies, to make it easier for clubs and volunteers to embed good safeguarding practices throughout.

If you have any concerns about the welfare of an adult or child in bowls, whether the issue is inside or outside the sport, talk to your club, county or NGB Lead Safeguarding Officer. You can also contact the BDA Lead Safeguarding Officer for advice. – See contact details on the Safeguarding Contacts tab.

If you have immediate concerns about the welfare of a child, contact the police on 101 or 999 in an emergency, you can also ring the NSPCC free helpline on 0808 800 5000.

If you have immediate concerns about the welfare of an adult, contact the police on 101 or 999 in an emergency. Support is also available via the Ann Craft Trust on 0115 951 5400.

Concerns might include:

Evidence of abuse or neglect of a bowls participant
Poor practice in coaching eg unnecessary touching, unnecessary messaging or use of inappropriate language
Individuals exploiting their position to gain access to children
Discriminatory language or behaviour
Bullying of adults by their peers
Breaking of the club code of conduct in relation to a safeguarding issue

Click here to be directed to the BDA Safeguarding pages