Safeguarding is everyone’s responsibility. The English Disc Golf Association (EDGA) wants disc golf to be safe, welcoming and enjoyable for every player, volunteer, official and spectator.
This page explains EDGA’s safeguarding position, how to raise a concern, and where to find the full safeguarding policy.
Safeguarding policy
EDGA has adopted a Safeguarding Policy covering EDGA events, EDGA-sanctioned activity, and safeguarding matters escalated to EDGA by affiliated clubs.
The full policy is available on the EDGA policies page.
What safeguarding means
Safeguarding means taking reasonable steps to protect people from harm, abuse and neglect. In disc golf, this includes the welfare of children, young people, adults at risk, players, volunteers, officials, spectators and anyone involved in EDGA activity.
Safeguarding also covers how people are treated, how concerns are handled, and how clubs and events are run.
Raising a safeguarding concern
If someone is in immediate danger, or a crime is in progress, call 999.
If the concern is not an immediate emergency but may involve a crime, you can contact the police by calling 101 or by reporting it online.
For all other safeguarding or welfare concerns connected to EDGA activity, use the EDGA contact form and select Safeguarding.
You can also contact EDGA’s safeguarding contacts directly using the details below.
You do not need proof before raising a concern. If you are worried about someone’s safety, welfare or behaviour in disc golf, it is better to speak up than to stay silent.
Safeguarding contacts
EDGA’s Designated Safeguarding Lead is Iain McDougall, National Director. Email: [email protected].
EDGA’s Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead is Connor Harvey-Ward, Secretary. Email: [email protected].
Having both a Designated Safeguarding Lead and a Deputy means that if one is unavailable, or if an allegation is made against them, concerns can be reported to the other.
Who to report to
- If the concern relates to a player or attendee, report it to the event safeguarding lead or EDGA Designated Safeguarding Lead.
- If the concern relates to a Tournament Director, report it to the EDGA Designated Safeguarding Lead.
- If the concern relates to the EDGA Designated Safeguarding Lead, report it to the EDGA Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead.
- If the concern relates to the EDGA Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead, report it to another EDGA board member who is not involved.
All safeguarding concerns should be recorded in writing and handled on a need-to-know basis.
Clubs and organisers
Clubs, leagues and tournament directors play a central role in safeguarding. EDGA expects clubs and organisers to have clear reporting routes, appropriate safeguarding arrangements, and a named welfare or safeguarding contact where relevant.
Serious safeguarding concerns connected to affiliated club activity should be escalated to EDGA through the safeguarding contact route.
Wellbeing and conduct
Bullying, harassment, discrimination, abuse and intimidation have no place in EDGA activity. Concerns about welfare, conduct or how someone is being treated can be raised through the safeguarding route above.
Where a safeguarding concern also involves conduct, EDGA may handle it alongside the Member Conduct and Complaint Handling Process. Safeguarding will take priority where there is any conflict between processes.