Child Safeguarding Statement
Pre-opening safeguarding framework · Last updated 8 October 2026
Every young player deserves to feel safe, respected and listened to. Hoop Force Academy is committed to providing a positive basketball environment in which the welfare of children and young people comes first.
This statement describes our safeguarding standards and the controls to be implemented for youth activities before the academy begins operating. It has been prepared with regard to the Children First Act 2015, Children First: National Guidance, Tusla guidance and Sport Ireland’s safeguarding guidance.
1. Our service and who this statement covers
Hoop Force Academy is developing basketball training and player-development programmes in Ireland, principally for U14, U15, U16 and U18 age groups. Activities may include Weekly Drills, Weekend Groups, Combo Programme, individual coaching, strength and conditioning, summer camps, 3v3 competitions and, when separately organised, domestic or international experiences.
For safeguarding purposes, a child is anyone under 18. This framework applies to directors, coaches, employees, volunteers, contractors and any other adult acting on behalf of the academy in activities involving children. External venues and partner providers must meet appropriate safeguarding requirements for their roles.
2. Our safeguarding commitments
- The welfare and best interests of the child take priority over sporting performance, results or commercial interests.
- Every child is treated fairly and respectfully, regardless of background, identity, ability or personal circumstances.
- Young players are listened to, encouraged to speak up and able to report a concern without fear of retaliation.
- Appropriate adult supervision, clear professional boundaries and an anti-bullying approach apply to all activities.
- Parents and guardians receive clear information about training, supervision, consent, collection arrangements and who to contact.
- Safeguarding concerns are documented, shared only when necessary and reported to the appropriate authorities.
3. Identified risks of harm and controls
The following is a preliminary assessment of potential risks of harm within youth basketball activities, not a substitute for the final documented risk assessment required for the actual venues, staffing and programmes. Here, “harm” concerns abuse, neglect and other child protection risks under Irish law, rather than ordinary sporting injury alone.
| Potential risk of harm | Safeguarding controls to implement |
|---|---|
| Inappropriate conduct, abuse or grooming by an adult working with children | Safe recruitment, role-appropriate Garda vetting, references, safeguarding training, conduct standards, accountable supervision and a clear reporting route. |
| Insufficient supervision, isolated one-to-one situations or unsafe collection arrangements | Attendance registers, age-appropriate supervision, visible/open coaching settings, parental permissions and documented arrival, collection and handover procedures. |
| Bullying, discrimination, intimidation or harmful peer behaviour | Player and coach codes of conduct, active supervision, accessible reporting, prompt intervention and appropriate follow-up. |
| Inappropriate access to children in changing rooms or by visitors at a venue | Controlled access, clear changing-room rules, vetted and appropriate supervisors, visitor procedures and venue coordination. |
| Unauthorised photography, online contact or exposure of children’s information | Parent/guardian consent where appropriate, controls on photography and publishing, approved communication channels and no private, unnecessary adult-to-child messaging. |
| Harm during competitions, camps, transport, overnight stays or international trips | Separate activity and travel risk assessments, consent and emergency contacts, suitable staffing, partner checks, supervision plans and clear incident escalation. |
| Concerns ignored, mishandled or not reported | Designated safeguarding responsibilities, written incident records, staff training, direct access to Tusla reporting and procedures for allegations against adults. |
4. Garda vetting and safer recruitment
Before taking up duties that constitute relevant work or activities with children, coaches, staff and volunteers must undergo the appropriate Garda vetting process in accordance with the National Vetting Bureau (Children and Vulnerable Persons) Acts 2012–2016. A vetting disclosure is obtained through the relevant authorised organisation; a personal assertion or previous vetting elsewhere is not treated as an automatic substitute.
Recruitment safeguards will also include role descriptions, appropriate identity and reference checks, interviews, induction, professional conduct expectations and continuing supervision. Garda vetting alone is not proof that a person is safe and is never the only safeguarding measure.
5. Coaching boundaries, parents and players
- Coaching should take place in appropriate, observable settings. One-to-one training must use agreed supervision and visibility arrangements.
- No humiliating discipline, harassment, sexualised comments, bullying or inappropriate physical contact will be tolerated.
- Personal care, changing rooms, first aid and physical instruction must respect dignity, necessity, consent and safeguarding procedures.
- Contact with players will use approved, transparent communication routes with parent/guardian involvement where appropriate.
- Training photographs and videos may only be taken or published under the academy’s photography and consent procedures.
- Parents/guardians must know the attendance, handover, emergency and safeguarding arrangements relevant to an activity.
6. Responding to a concern or disclosure
Any child, parent, member of staff or visitor can raise a concern. An adult receiving a disclosure must listen calmly, take it seriously, avoid leading questions or promises of secrecy, record the facts accurately and report promptly through the safeguarding process. The adult must not investigate the allegation personally.
Where there are reasonable grounds for concern about a child’s protection or welfare, the concern should be reported to Tusla, the Child and Family Agency, in accordance with Children First guidance. Where a mandated person has a statutory reporting duty, that personal obligation remains in force and cannot simply be delegated to somebody else. The academy’s internal contact must never be used to prevent someone from making a necessary report.
7. Safeguarding procedures and responsibilities
In line with the Children First Act 2015, the academy’s safeguarding procedures will cover the following:
- Allegations of abuse or misconduct against adults: protect children immediately, manage the person’s access to children where appropriate, report concerns and follow fair, confidential procedures without interfering with any statutory investigation.
- Safe recruitment and selection: apply appropriate screening, Garda vetting, reference checks and ongoing suitability measures before relevant duties begin.
- Safeguarding training and information: ensure staff and volunteers receive appropriate Children First and sport-specific safeguarding information, including recognising harm and knowing how to respond.
- Reporting to Tusla: maintain a procedure for recording, escalating and making child protection and welfare reports, including urgent cases and statutory mandated reports.
- List of mandated persons: identify and maintain an up-to-date list of any individuals whose professional roles make them mandated persons under the legislation.
- Appointment of a Relevant Person: Marcelo Lopez Anido is named as the first point of contact about this statement and its safeguarding procedures. His contact details are published below; an alternative safeguarding contact will be confirmed before youth activities begin.
Specific safeguarding arrangements will also address record handling, whistleblowing, complaints, bullying, photography, transport, trips, changing rooms, first aid and appropriate information sharing. Staff must understand and follow the procedures relevant to their role.
8. Relevant Person and safeguarding contact
Relevant Person (Children First Act 2015): Marcelo Lopez Anido
Safeguarding and policy enquiries: hoopforceacademy@gmail.com
Child protection reporting: Tusla – Children First · Emergency: 999 / 112.
Families can ask for a copy of this statement or further information about safeguarding arrangements using the email above. Enquiries about an urgent child protection concern should go directly to the appropriate statutory authorities.
9. Implementation, publication and review
The academy’s management is responsible for approving, resourcing and implementing safeguarding arrangements. This statement and the final risk assessment will be shared with staff and made available to parents, guardians and the public, including online and at relevant activity venues. The adopted statement will be reviewed at least every two years, and sooner following material changes, serious safeguarding concerns or relevant legal updates.
Before commencing youth activities, Hoop Force Academy will finalise its risk assessment and operating procedures, confirm an alternative safeguarding contact, complete required vetting and safeguarding training arrangements, and make the adopted statement accessible to families.
10. Official guidance
This statement is specific to Hoop Force Academy and has been informed by Tusla’s Child Safeguarding Statement guidance, Tusla’s risk-of-harm assessment guidance, and Sport Ireland’s Safeguarding Sport guidance.