Member-only story
The other day, I went to the Churches Football event, a children’s and youth football event. You’d expect the children to be well-behaved, it being a church thing and all. Especially, as the organisers claim on their website that.
“The aims of the tournament are to provide an opportunity for people to hear the Gospel, encourage fellowship and provide a quality tournament to support your church outreach.” [Ambassadors Football]
But then again these are kids who do what they are experiencing and seeing around them, right?
Just a small parenthesis, before I continue. A few years ago, our other football coach signed up our other club to participate at a tournament. Then, the night before, the coach cancelled our contribution. Parents and children were surprised and disappointed. The coach made it clear that as long as the organisers were not providing safety and safeguarding, our children were not participating.
Safeguarding is a heavy word, loaded with big themes and connotations. The coach was right. Safeguarding and well-being of children is not something you mess around with. There would be more tournaments.
It wasn’t until I visited the recent weekend’s tournament that old coach’s words came back and made sense. Sometimes, it is not until it is late and you’re in it that…
