Safeguarding Newsletter MJNC – October 2026 

As we approach the half term break from netball we thought it would be helpful to reiterate our safeguarding practice. We have a new venue, new players, parents/carers and new coaches. The MJNC extends a warm welcome to all our new players and their families, to new coaches and volunteers. Below is a checklist for our coaches and volunteers and few tips for parents/carers

  • MJNC has a club safeguarding officer, Steph Brivio, who links with England Netball safeguarding officers. If you have any concerns or questions, then please contact the safeguarding officer at info.mjnc@gmail.com.
  • Each of our MJNC coaches MUST follow England Netball (EN) regulations which includes having a DBS through EN who have changed rules on DBS from September 2026. Level 1 coaches must now get a DBS. England Netball does not recognise a DBS through any other organisation and as an affiliated club running a competition, MJNC must enforce this rule.
  • All coaches who do not currently hold a valid DBS through EN MUST have started this process by 1/11/26. The MJNC will contact those coaches in the next few weeks who currently don’t hold a relevant EN DBS.
  • For those coaches who are already compliant, please ensure that you renew your DBS every 3 years.
  • For more information about England Netball’s DBS policy, please visit: DBS Information.

Kings Sports Centre venue is more challenging for spectators than the Rainham venue and we are pleased that most games have been played without incident. However, a very small number of games have seen players and umpires upset due to inappropriate comments. Action will be taken to ensure our young players enjoy their netball and that umpires are supported to do their job and control the game. If there are challenges to be made about umpiring please use the agreed channels and do reflect before making remarks. At all levels of the game, players have to abide by the whistle and accept the decision. Junior netball is a good place to learn that.

  • We ask that all coaches and volunteers, especially those new to MJNC, read the coaches code of conduct. The MJNC Committee will take action for any breach of the code of conduct.
  • It is important that as coaches we look at ourselves and how we act as role models to the players we support.
  • Coaches and volunteers must be accepting of every umpiring decision and always respectful. You may hold an umpiring qualification, however if you do not have the whistle, you are a coach for that game.
  • How you react as a coach influences your players and your spectators. Shouting in a manner that can cause offence is not acceptable. Please consider how your behaviour may be perceived.
  • All players on a Saturday are under 18 years of age and should never feel intimidated by the actions of any coach or volunteer.
  • Coaches must not communicate outside of training and matches with any child under 18 years of age. All communications MUST go via parent/carers.
  • Please manage any social media responsibly and do not post pictures without parental consent and even with consent be careful on naming individuals and identifying schools and addresses.
  • As a coach you are in a position to observe whether a child is unhappy, becomes withdrawn, is showing signs of distress and we have a responsibility to report any concerns we have about a child to the safeguarding officer, Medway Council children’s social care or ask for support from the NSPCC safeguarding in sport unit.

As a coach, you are in a position of power: deciding who is in the team and who isn’t. You contribute to team success, player enjoyment and safety. With power comes responsibility. MJNC wants healthy competition where our young players can learn to win and lose in a safe environment. It is great to win – and losing is fine too. Encourage your spectators to be supportive and sporting to both teams and address quickly, anything, at the time that may seem inappropriate. It is so much easier to have a quiet friendly word at the time than to let matters remain unresolved after the final whistle. You are responsible for the behaviour of your spectators.

Ensure three cheers happens at the end of every game, and all girls remain on court to do this regardless of how competitive the game has been. Please encourage your captains to thank the umpires.

MJNC Committee would ask that all coaches remind their parent/carers spectators of the code of conduct which includes:

As a parent/carer/spectator, I/we will:

  • Encourage my Child to play within the rules and respect officials’ and coaches’ decisions
  • Support my Child’s efforts and performance, give positive comments that motivate and encourage continued effort and learning
  • Understand that Competition is about winning and losing, so results are always accepted without undue disappointment
  • Be a positive role model to my Child by helping them work towards skill improvement and high standards of sporting behaviour

I/we will as spectators:

  • Applaud good play by both my Child’s team and their opponents
  • Thank the coaches, officials and other volunteers who give their time for my Child and not interfere with their decisions
  • Help when asked by a coach or official
  • Respect the rights, dignity and worth of all people involved in the game,
  • Never engage in discriminatory abuse or anti-social behaviour which could include but is not limited to racism, sexism, or homophobia

We thank all parents and supporters for supporting MJNC and netball in a positive way and hope everyone enjoys the half term break. Come back after half term ready for some great netball!

This Newsletter is available to download from our Documents section