Child Protection Statement
My name is Darren McKenna and I have been appointed by the Heavitree Youth Football Club Committee as Child Protection Officer. I am also a Head Coach for one of the Club's age group.
Safeguarding children is high on The FA's agenda. At Heavitree Youth Football Club we aim to provide the correct environment where children can discover and develop their skills involved in our Nation's prized national game of football. The FA's goal is to have someone at every Club in the country aware of child protection and best practice, whether it's a Premiership Academy or a Sunday morning park side. Safeguarding children is about doing things the right way, doing things properly. It's about allowing children to enjoy the game without abuse of any kind. That means bullying, physical, emotional or sexual abuse and neglect.
The FA believes football can have a powerful positive influence on children. That means everyone involved in football must take on the responsibility of looking after those children that want to play the game.
At HYFC my role is to co-ordinate and ensure all best practices are implemented and maintained, as well as being the independant accessor in any issues that arise within our Club. I am also responsible for co-ordinating and maintaining the Club's volunteer coaching staff criminal record disclosure checks. I also make all existing and new coaches aware that it is a necessary procedure in our privileged position, to ensure we appear open, honest and approachable to both players and parents.