Become a Club Welfare Officer

Champions of Safety Off the Mat

At British Wrestling, the safety and well-being of our members is our absolute priority. We believe that everyone—whether they are stepping onto the mat for the first time or competing for a national title—deserves to participate in a safe, supportive, and inclusive environment.

Club Welfare Officers (CWOs) are the heartbeat of this commitment. They are the friendly faces and trusted points of contact who ensure our clubs remain positive spaces for everyone to thrive.

Every affiliated and associate club in the UK is required to have a certified CWO in post. It is an essential role that protects our wrestling family and helps us deliver on our strategic promise to enhance safety and welfare practices across the sport.

WrestleSafe: Our Commitment to Care

All Club Welfare Officers operate under WrestleSafe, British Wrestling’s comprehensive safeguarding policy. WrestleSafe sets the standards for protecting children, young people, and vulnerable adults, ensuring that welfare is embedded in the culture of every club.

As a CWO, you are the champion of the WrestleSafe policy within your club, ensuring that all coaches, parents, and athletes understand their role in keeping our sport safe and enjoyable.

Your Role and Responsibilities

As a CWO, you are the first line of defence for safeguarding. You act as the primary contact for any welfare concerns, helping to create a culture where everyone feels safe to speak up.

To ensure impartiality and the highest standards of governance, CWOs must not be related to the Club Head Coach.

Requirements

To ensure the high standards of WrestleSafe are met, all Club Welfare Officers must hold the following minimum qualifications:

  • BWA Standard Membership: You must hold a valid membership to ensure you are insured and connected to the national body.
  • Specialist Training: You are required to complete the CPSU/NSPCC Safeguarding in Sport training. This equips you with the knowledge to recognise and respond to welfare concerns effectively.
  • Background Checks: An enhanced DBS (Disclosure and Barring Service) or PVG (Protecting Vulnerable Groups) check is mandatory. This is a standard procedure to ensure the suitability of anyone working with young people or vulnerable adults.

BWA Approval

Completing the training is just the first step. To ensure the integrity of our safeguarding network, all Club Welfare Officers must be formally approved by British Wrestling. This approval process confirms that all criteria have been met and that you are officially recognised as a trusted officer within the organisation.

Support in Your Corner

You are never alone in this role. British Wrestling is fully committed to supporting all CWOs throughout their safeguarding journey. We view safeguarding as a collective responsibility, and we are here to ensure you have the tools you need.

We provide ongoing assistance through our Education and Learning pathway, which includes dedicated CWO Clinics. These clinics focus on specific safeguarding topics to keep your knowledge up-to-date and your confidence high.

Please find further details on our training and clinics here.

Our Partners in Protection

We work closely with leading specialist partners to ensure our guidance and support systems are robust and effective. Our network includes:

Get Started

Becoming a Club Welfare Officer is a rewarding way to give back to the grassroots community. By taking on this role, you are directly contributing to the “Unleashing Potential” strategy, helping to build a unified and thriving wrestling family.

If you are interested in becoming a CWO, or if your club needs to appoint one, please reach out to our team for guidance on the next steps.

Contact the Safeguarding Team

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