WrestleSafe is British Wrestling’s comprehensive approach to safeguarding everyone involved in our sport across the UK. We are committed to ensuring that all people who participate in wrestling have a safe, enjoyable and positive experience.
British Wrestling is responsible for coordinating safeguarding practices across all four home nations: England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland. While WrestleSafe provides a consistent and overarching standard, it is designed to be adaptable, acknowledging and accommodating any specific regulatory differences that exist within the individual home nations. This ensures that every wrestler, coach, and official benefits from a robust safeguarding environment that is both unified in its purpose and respectful of local regulations.
British Wrestling works with the Child Protection in Sport Unit, a unit within the NSPCC, to ensure that wrestling clubs help safeguard children during their sporting activities and the Ann Craft Trust, a charity that supports organisations to safeguard adults and minimise harm. British Wrestling is committed to the training and supporting of Club Welfare Officers to develop club guidelines and safety checklists for their members, whether at their home club, travelling to competitions or abroad.
British Wrestling believes that the welfare of everyone in our sport is everyone’s responsibility, particularly when it comes to protecting young people and adults at risk from abuse, however, it is important to remember that it is not the responsibility of those working within the organisation to determine if abuse has taken place, but it is their responsibility to act upon and report any concerns.
Downloads of policy documents are at the bottom of this page; please use http://translate.google.com/ to translate all documents and articles contained within the British Wrestling website. A copy of the BWA Code of Conduct for coaches, athletes, parents, spectators and board members can be found here.
Report A Concern
If you have a safeguarding concern you MUST report it. For details on how to report a concern see our report a concern page.
If you have a serious concern and you believe that a child or adult at risk is at imminent risk in the first instance you must contact the Police or Children/Adult Services in your area and then contact the Lead Safeguarding Officer when it is safe to do so.
Important Contact Details:
Home Nation Contacts
At British Wrestling, the safety and welfare of everyone involved in our sport is our number one priority. Our overarching WrestleSafe Safeguarding Policy is the foundation of this commitment, setting a clear and unwavering standard for a safe environment across all our clubs. It outlines our core principles and dedication to protecting all participants, with a particular focus on young people and vulnerable adults. This policy is the cornerstone of our safeguarding culture, ensuring that wrestling remains a positive and secure experience for everyone.
To support the overarching policy, we’ve developed comprehensive policies, guidance, and procedures that provide a practical framework for clubs, coaches, and volunteers. These detailed documents set out the expectations and step-by-step instructions for identifying, reporting, and responding to concerns effectively. By following these clear guidelines, our community can work together to uphold the highest standards of safety and create a culture of respect and support. These resources ensure that our safeguarding commitments are not just words on a page but are put into practice every day.
The WrestleSafe Club Resource Pack is the essential guide for clubs to create a safer environment for everyone involved in British wrestling. Our priority at British Wrestling is the welfare of our community, and this pack combined with the WrestleSafe policies and guidance, provides the tools, templates, and guidance you need to implement a robust safeguarding framework at your club. Use these resources to meet your commitments and ensure wrestling remains a positive and secure experience for all, especially our young athletes.
