{"id":2376,"date":"2025-02-05T13:05:23","date_gmt":"2025-02-05T13:05:23","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/nish.wales\/?p=2376"},"modified":"2025-02-05T13:05:26","modified_gmt":"2025-02-05T13:05:26","slug":"swansea-university-experts-help-shape-welsh-rugby-union-policy-on-safeguarding","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/nish.wales\/en\/2025\/02\/05\/swansea-university-experts-help-shape-welsh-rugby-union-policy-on-safeguarding\/","title":{"rendered":"Swansea University experts help shape Welsh Rugby Union policy on safeguarding"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong><a href=\"http:\/\/swansea.ac.uk\">Swansea University<\/a> sport scientists have been helping the Welsh Rugby Union (WRU) to develop its new safeguarding policy, which will support the community and professional game across Wales.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The new policy covers both children and adults.&nbsp; It is aimed at ensuring Welsh rugby leads the way in safeguarding its players, volunteers, staff and all those involved in rugby in Wales.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The Swansea team who worked with the WRU were Professor Camilla Knight and Dr Maita Furusa from the&nbsp;<strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.swansea.ac.uk\/sport-exercise-sciences\/\">Department of Sport and Exercise Sciences<\/a><\/strong>.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Professor Knight is an expert on parental involvement and safeguarding in youth sport.&nbsp; She collaborates with partners across a range of sports organisations and bodies, including Sport Wales, Sport New Zealand, Sport Singapore and the RFU, England\u2019s governing body for rugby.&nbsp;&nbsp; She is also a research advisor for the Child Protection in Sport Unit and a member of the WRU Independent Safeguarding Advisory Group.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The Swansea team have been supporting the WRU by sharing the latest research in this area to help them understand the wider landscape, and to advise on developing best practice, particularly in the community game and pertaining to parental involvement.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Professor Camilla Knight has provided insights and feedback directly to the policy documents, as well as presenting at the WRU Integrity Symposium. Most recently, Dr Furusa has presented to Safeguarding and Integrity Staff within the WRU and is scheduled to share insights further with the WRU Independent Safeguarding Advisory Group and at their upcoming WRU Integrity Symposium.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The team also helped shape a new set of resources developed by the WRU &#8211; and available online &#8211; which support the new safeguarding policy.&nbsp; These promote positive behaviour and provide a platform to set standards of role model behaviour.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Together with their colleague Dr Tom Love, Professor Knight and Maita Furusa recently published&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.sciencedirect.com\/science\/article\/pii\/S1469029224000633\">research<\/a>&nbsp;on how best to promote safe and enjoyable sporting experiences for young people.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Professor Camilla Knight of Swansea University<\/strong><strong>&nbsp;said:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cOver the last 10 years we\u2019ve developed a strong relationship with the Policy and Integrity Unit at the WRU. &nbsp;This has provided an avenue to share our latest research and support the WRU in their desire to ensure that all young people have access to safe and enjoyable experiences playing rugby.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">It is particularly pleasing to see our research inform the development of their latest Safeguarding Policy and accompanying resources, which further ensure that all necessary and appropriate steps are taken to optimise young people\u2019s rugby experiences.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Jeremy Rogers, Head of Policy and Integrity for the WRU, said:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">&#8220;It has been great to learn from the academics at Swansea and it is very encouraging that we\u2019re already implementing some of the identified actions from Dr. Furusa\u2019s research to support &nbsp;participants and volunteers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">One example of this is that one of the themes of our Safeguarding Roadshows was safeguarding governance and developing the club committee or board\u2019s understanding of the role that they need to play in supporting Club Safeguarding Officers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">We are also supporting clubs to further embed safeguarding practice across the Welsh Rugby landscape through the development and implementation of specific Club Safeguarding Plans. This is one of the key strategic objectives in the One Wales Strategy with the aim of building a safeguarding culture in Welsh Rugby through safe and inclusive environments&#8221;.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Swansea University sport scientists have been helping the Welsh Rugby Union (WRU) to develop its new safeguarding policy, which will support the community and professional game across Wales. The new policy covers both children and adults.&nbsp; It is aimed at ensuring Welsh rugby leads the way in safeguarding its players, volunteers, staff and all those [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":190346150,"featured_media":2378,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"advanced_seo_description":"","jetpack_seo_html_title":"","jetpack_seo_noindex":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_feature_clip_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"{title}\n\n{excerpt}\n\n{url}","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":true,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","default_image_id":0,"font":"","enabled":false},"version":2},"_wpas_customize_per_network":false,"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false},"categories":[1366],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-2376","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-news"],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/nish.wales\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/Wordpress-1.png?fit=1200%2C628&ssl=1","jetpack_likes_enabled":false,"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/pfwlnl-Ck","jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":3636,"url":"https:\/\/nish.wales\/en\/2025\/11\/18\/ospreys-rugby-and-swansea-university-announce-ground-breaking-new-partnership\/","url_meta":{"origin":2376,"position":0},"title":"Ospreys Rugby and Swansea University announce ground-breaking new partnership","author":"meganchick1","date":"18th November 2025","format":false,"excerpt":"We are proud to announce a ground-breaking new partnership that will see Wales\u2019 most successful rugby region transform the planning and operation of Swansea University\u2019s men\u2019s rugby programme. This marks a first-of-its-kind collaboration between professional rugby and higher education in Wales, bringing elite performance standards and player development expertise into\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;News&quot;","block_context":{"text":"News","link":"https:\/\/nish.wales\/en\/category\/news\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/nish.wales\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/Wordpress-1-1.png?fit=1200%2C628&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/nish.wales\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/Wordpress-1-1.png?fit=1200%2C628&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/nish.wales\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/Wordpress-1-1.png?fit=1200%2C628&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/nish.wales\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/Wordpress-1-1.png?fit=1200%2C628&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/nish.wales\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/Wordpress-1-1.png?fit=1200%2C628&ssl=1&resize=1050%2C600 3x"},"classes":[]},{"id":3003,"url":"https:\/\/nish.wales\/en\/2025\/05\/28\/transforming-the-future-of-womens-rugby\/","url_meta":{"origin":2376,"position":1},"title":"Transforming the Future of Women\u2019s Rugby","author":"meganchick1","date":"28th May 2025","format":false,"excerpt":"Here at Swansea University, we have welcomed a significant step forward in the development of women\u2019s and girls\u2019 rugby in Wales, with the establishment of a new Women and Girls Player Development Centres (PDC). This initiative, driven by the Welsh Rugby Union (WRU) and its academic and regional partners, represents\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;News&quot;","block_context":{"text":"News","link":"https:\/\/nish.wales\/en\/category\/news\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/nish.wales\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/Wordpress-1-1.png?fit=1200%2C628&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/nish.wales\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/Wordpress-1-1.png?fit=1200%2C628&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/nish.wales\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/Wordpress-1-1.png?fit=1200%2C628&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/nish.wales\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/Wordpress-1-1.png?fit=1200%2C628&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/nish.wales\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/Wordpress-1-1.png?fit=1200%2C628&ssl=1&resize=1050%2C600 3x"},"classes":[]},{"id":1460,"url":"https:\/\/nish.wales\/en\/2024\/08\/06\/wales-and-lions-legend-alun-wyn-jones-joins-nniish-as-strategic-advisor\/","url_meta":{"origin":2376,"position":2},"title":"Wales and Lions Legend Alun Wyn Jones Joins NISH as Strategic Advisor","author":"meganchick1","date":"6th August 2024","format":false,"excerpt":"Welsh international rugby player and Swansea University law graduate Alun Wyn Jones has taken up the position of Strategic Advisor to the\u00a0National Institute for Sport and Health. Jones is the most capped player in world rugby history, having made 158 appearances for Wales and 12 for the Lions during his\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;News&quot;","block_context":{"text":"News","link":"https:\/\/nish.wales\/en\/category\/news\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/nish.wales\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/AWJ.png?fit=1200%2C628&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/nish.wales\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/AWJ.png?fit=1200%2C628&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/nish.wales\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/AWJ.png?fit=1200%2C628&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/nish.wales\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/AWJ.png?fit=1200%2C628&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/nish.wales\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/AWJ.png?fit=1200%2C628&ssl=1&resize=1050%2C600 3x"},"classes":[]},{"id":576,"url":"https:\/\/nish.wales\/en\/2024\/04\/16\/swansea-university-and-scarlets-rugby-announce-phd-scholarship-to-research-in-game-statistics-in-professional-rugby-union\/","url_meta":{"origin":2376,"position":3},"title":"Swansea University and Scarlets Rugby Announce PhD Scholarship to Research In-Game Statistics in Professional Rugby Union","author":"meganchick1","date":"16th April 2024","format":false,"excerpt":"Swansea University, in collaboration with Scarlets Rugby, has unveiled an innovative Sports Science PhD Scholarship to explore in-game statistics and their association with match outcomes in professional rugby. This pioneering initiative represents a concerted effort to push the boundaries of sports analytics and enhance the understanding of performance dynamics within\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;News&quot;","block_context":{"text":"News","link":"https:\/\/nish.wales\/en\/category\/news\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/nish.wales\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/6746-Varsity_2019_%C2%A9jamesdavies_064.jpg?fit=1200%2C589&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/nish.wales\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/6746-Varsity_2019_%C2%A9jamesdavies_064.jpg?fit=1200%2C589&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/nish.wales\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/6746-Varsity_2019_%C2%A9jamesdavies_064.jpg?fit=1200%2C589&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/nish.wales\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/6746-Varsity_2019_%C2%A9jamesdavies_064.jpg?fit=1200%2C589&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/nish.wales\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/6746-Varsity_2019_%C2%A9jamesdavies_064.jpg?fit=1200%2C589&ssl=1&resize=1050%2C600 3x"},"classes":[]},{"id":1661,"url":"https:\/\/nish.wales\/en\/2024\/09\/19\/nniish-official-sponsor-of-2025-sports-technology-awards\/","url_meta":{"origin":2376,"position":4},"title":"NNIISH OFFICIAL SPONSOR OF 2025 SPORTS TECHNOLOGY AWARDS","author":"meganchick1","date":"19th September 2024","format":false,"excerpt":"The National Network for Innovation In Sport & Health is an official sponsor of the Sports Technology Group's prestigious awards for 2025. 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If you're passionate about sport, performance, and health, Swansea University\u2019s Sport and Exercise Science programmes offer a world-class foundation using cutting-edge science with real-world application. Ranked 9th in\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;News&quot;","block_context":{"text":"News","link":"https:\/\/nish.wales\/en\/category\/news\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/nish.wales\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/Wordpress-2-1.png?fit=1200%2C628&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/nish.wales\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/Wordpress-2-1.png?fit=1200%2C628&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/nish.wales\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/Wordpress-2-1.png?fit=1200%2C628&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/nish.wales\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/Wordpress-2-1.png?fit=1200%2C628&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/nish.wales\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/Wordpress-2-1.png?fit=1200%2C628&ssl=1&resize=1050%2C600 3x"},"classes":[]}],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/nish.wales\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2376","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/nish.wales\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/nish.wales\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/nish.wales\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/190346150"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/nish.wales\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2376"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/nish.wales\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2376\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2379,"href":"https:\/\/nish.wales\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2376\/revisions\/2379"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/nish.wales\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2378"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/nish.wales\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2376"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/nish.wales\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2376"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/nish.wales\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2376"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}