GUIDELINES INTRODUCED TO ENSURE CHILD SAFETY

Thousands of small blacks enjoy playing rugby every weekend. Providing a fun and safe environment for Small Blacks is everybody’s responsibility, and it’s also up to all of us to make sure they are protected from abuse.

To help ensure the protection of children in our care, New Zealand Rugby (NZR) is providing Provincial Unions (PUs) and Clubs with guidance about protecting children and young people involved in rugby.

Since 2013 NZR has police vetted all Small Blacks coaches and Small Blacks referees who have completed an associate referee course. Secondary school rugby coaches and administrators are subject to the protocols of the school they are associated with.

Our Child Protection Guidelines reflect current best practice and PUs and Clubs are encouraged to draft their own Child Protection Policy and vet staff and volunteers who will have a duty of care for children and young people.    

We’ve developed these guidelines in consultation with other sporting organisations and NZ Police. The guidelines are available here and have been distributed to all PUs for further distribution to Clubs.​​​​​​​