British Wrestling is committed to creating and maintaining a safe and positive environment for everyone to participate on and off the mat in wrestling. British Wrestling has been working hard with the NSPCC Children in Sport Unit (CPSU) to continually improve our safeguards for children and vulnerable adults through continuously updating our policies and procedures to achieve this.
Over the past number of years, we have been working hard to strengthen our safeguarding case management procedures. This has included investing staff time in reviewing and updating our case management system, guidance, terms of reference, reviewing our case management threshold document and enrolling on LimeCulture’s Safeguarding Case Management Programme to provide us with additional support.
As part of this work, independent panel members have been appointed to our Safeguarding Case Management Group, all of whom are from a range of backgrounds, bringing a wealth of knowledge and experience to the group. They will sit on the Case Management Group, working alongside Andreas Michaelas (BWA Lead Safeguarding Officer), to offer advice and guidance in relation to the management of safeguarding concerns and cases we receive.
We are delighted to announce that the three new independent panel members on our case management group are Rob Bishop, Joanna Madyarchyk, Liz Behnke, Christina Leath and Di Murray. Below is a short bio about each of our members.
Joanna Madyarchyk – Head of Safeguarding for Manchester United Football Club
Joanna Madyarchyk has extensive experience strategically developing safeguarding and well-being strategies and outcomes for organisations and children. Joanna is the Head of Safeguarding for Manchester United Football Club and its charity, Manchester United Foundation. She is a non-executive director for British Gymnastics, a Governor for a special education college and a member of England Netball’s case management team.
Joanna is a former British freestyle wrestler who has been involved in coach development as a volunteer for over 15 years.
Having competed in the World Championships and Commonwealth Games, she has also been an international referee for United World Wrestling.
Rob Bishop – British Cycling Safeguarding Manager
Rob Bishop is the Safeguarding Manager at British Cycling and an independent member of our Case Management Group. He began his safeguarding career in sport in 2006 with British Triathlon. Rob led British Triathlon to achieve the advanced Safeguarding standards set by the Child Protection in Sport Unit, whilst also pioneering their case management group, safeguarding education, and vetting procedures.
Rob has worked for other National Governing Bodies for sport with varying capacities. He has a degree in Sport Fitness and Coaching, a PGCE, and a Masters in Sports Leadership and Professional Development. He is also a recent Lime Culture Lead Safeguarding Officers course graduate.
Liz Behnke – British Fencing Safeguarding and Equality Manager
Liz Behnke is Safeguarding and Equality Manager at British Fencing. Liz has a passion for sport in general (except football) and finding ways of getting people engaged regardless of who they are or their background or ability.
Over the last few years she has worked with a wide range of organisations including the Women’s Sports and Fitness Foundation, English Federation of Disability Sport, Age Concern, Sport England as well as several NGB’s developing policies as well as undertaking research. She is also a regular tutor for Sports Coach UK delivering many workshops with Safeguarding being one her favourites.
Christina Leath – Director | Signature Safeguarding Ltd
Christina is an accomplished Registered Nurse, Health Visitor, and Family Nurse Practitioner with over 20 years’ experience specialising in safeguarding children and adults. She’s a recognised strategic leader, having led the development of robust safeguarding systems and practices across a range of sectors including health, education, housing, sport, and the third sector, both nationally and internationally.
She has worked with organisations such as Refuge, International Rescue Committee, National Online Safety, and Formula 1, and currently advise various charities and Sports NGBs in executive safeguarding roles. As a panel member and chair for several national and international safeguarding review panels, including with The FA and Sport Resolutions, she brings board-level expertise and a passionate commitment to ensuring quality, safety, and meaningful impact for the most vulnerable.
Judith Duffin – Solicitor-Advocate
Judith is a solicitor-advocate and has significant expertise in regulatory law, large investigations and advising on a variety of governance issues. Judith’s current role involves representing core participants in public inquiries. Judith is a member of the RFU’s Independent Judicial Panel, Paddle UK’s (formerly British Canoeing) Disciplinary, Disputes and Appeals Panel and has also been appointed to The FA’s National Serious Case Panel.
Judith has a Postgraduate Certificate in Sports Law and previously played football competitively and hockey at national league level.
Di Murray MBE: Safeguarding Lead Officer at the Angling Trust
Di Murray brings extensive safeguarding and case management experience from across sport, including her current role as Safeguarding Lead at the Angling Trust.
Di has worked in safeguarding at major Games and World Championships and has designed and delivered safeguarding workshops, coach education, and mental health training across a range of sporting environments. Her background in youth sport and performance pathways gives her a strong understanding of the pressures and vulnerabilities athletes can face, as well as the concerns parents may experience.
Andrew joins us with an enormous amount of experience having worked for Barnardo’s for 28 years, including Manager with Training and Consultancy Service for more than 15 years. During his tenure with Barnado’s, he acted as Interim Head of Safeguarding to Chelsea Football Club, where he had oversight of their safeguarding services. In his most recent role, Andrew was Head of Safeguarding for Aston Villa Football Club.
‘Andrew is that wonderful combination of deep knowledge and experience directly in the inclusion, safeguarding and wellbeing space, coupled with extensive experience in sport. He speaks our language and understands the challenges we face, before even stepping over the threshold’, said Karen Roberts, Development Director, British Judo.
Andreas Michaelas – British Wrestling Safeguarding and Anti-Doping Lead
Andreas Michaelas serves as the Safeguarding and Anti-Doping Lead for British Wrestling, bringing a wealth of diverse experience to the role.
Since 2018, Andreas has led on safeguarding matters within the organisation, ensuring the welfare of wrestlers and the integrity of the sport. He has also worked as a tutor for the NSPCC, delivering training to Club and Regional Safeguarding Officers, and has contributed his expertise to several national safeguarding groups, including the Sport Welfare Officer Oversight Group, the Martial Arts Safeguarding Group, and the Lead Safeguarding Officers Group.
Prior to his work in sport, Andreas served with Greater Manchester Police in the Forensic Services Branch, further strengthening his investigative and protective skillset.
In addition to his professional safeguarding credentials, Andreas has a strong background in sport. He competed in weightlifting for Team GB, achieving medal success at European and Commonwealth levels.
For more information around anything safeguarding follow the link here.
