Siġġiewi Rowing Club is committed to providing a safe, inclusive, welcoming and respectful environment in which every participant can enjoy the sport of rowing free from abuse, discrimination, harassment, bullying and exploitation. The welfare, dignity, rights and wellbeing of every individual are paramount, and safeguarding is a shared responsibility of every member of the Club.

At Siġġiewi Rowing Club, safeguarding means more than protecting people from harm. It means creating a sporting community in which every person, regardless of age, ability, disability, nationality, ethnicity, religion, gender or background, is respected, valued and empowered to participate safely, confidently and with dignity.

This commitment lies at the heart of the Club’s para rowing, rowing for health and mainstream rowing programmes, and is fundamental to who we are as a Club. The Club adopts a zero-tolerance approach towards any behaviour that places the physical, emotional, psychological or social wellbeing of another person at risk. Safeguarding extends beyond compliance with legislation: it forms part of the Club’s culture and underpins every aspect of its coaching, training, competition and governance.

The Club fully supports and will cooperate with the Authority for Integrity in Maltese Sport (AiMS), Malta Rowing Federation, Regatta Malta, World Rowing and all other competent national and international authorities responsible for safeguarding in sport.

Inclusion, Para Rowing and Rowing for Health

One of the defining pillars of Siġġiewi Rowing Club is its commitment to inclusive rowing. Since its establishment, the Club has made the development of para rowing and rowing for health programmes one of its principal objectives, recognising that rowing has the power to improve not only sporting performance but also physical health, mental wellbeing, rehabilitation, confidence, independence, social inclusion and overall quality of life.

The Club firmly believes that rowing is a sport for everyone.

Accordingly, the Club welcomes and actively encourages participation by individuals of all abilities, including persons with physical, visual, hearing, intellectual, neurological and psychosocial disabilities, as well as individuals living with long-term medical conditions or reduced mobility.

Every athlete is respected as an individual and is entitled to equal dignity, opportunity, protection and support.

Safeguarding within the Club therefore includes ensuring that athletes with disabilities are able to participate safely, confidently and independently, without fear of discrimination, prejudice, exclusion or abuse.

Where reasonably practicable, the Club will make appropriate adjustments to coaching methods, communication, equipment, facilities and training environments to enable meaningful participation by athletes with diverse abilities. Coaches, officials and volunteers are expected to adopt person-centred approaches that recognise the individual needs, aspirations and abilities of every participant.

The Club works closely with athletes, families, carers, healthcare professionals, educational institutions, disability organisations and sporting bodies to develop programmes that are accessible, evidence-based and centred on the wellbeing of each participant.

The Club recognises that success is not measured solely by medals and competition results. Personal development, health, rehabilitation, confidence, independence, enjoyment and social inclusion are equally valued outcomes of participation.

Equality, Diversity and Inclusion

Siġġiewi Rowing Club is proud to be an inclusive sporting community that welcomes everyone who shares its values of respect, fairness and sportsmanship.

Membership, participation, coaching, volunteering and access to Club activities are open to persons of all ages, nationalities, ethnic and social origins, races, colours, languages, religions or beliefs, sexes, gender identities, sexual orientations, disabilities, marital or family status, socioeconomic backgrounds, or any other protected characteristic recognised by law.

The Club celebrates diversity and recognises that people from different backgrounds, cultures and life experiences strengthen both the Club and the sport of rowing.

Every individual has the right to participate in an environment that is welcoming, respectful and free from prejudice.

Any form of discrimination, racism, xenophobia, sexism, misogyny, homophobia, transphobia, ableism, religious intolerance, harassment, bullying, hate speech, victimisation or exclusion is fundamentally incompatible with the values of Siġġiewi Rowing Club.

Such conduct shall constitute a serious breach of the Club’s Safeguarding Policy, Statute and Code of Ethics and may result in disciplinary action, including suspension or termination of membership, without prejudice to any civil or criminal proceedings that may arise under Maltese law.

Our Commitment

The Club is committed to:

providing a safe, welcoming and inclusive environment for everyone;
protecting children, young people and adults at risk;
safeguarding the physical, emotional, psychological and social wellbeing of all participants;
promoting equality, diversity, inclusion and mutual respect;
preventing abuse, neglect, bullying, harassment, discrimination and exploitation;
ensuring that safeguarding concerns are taken seriously and managed promptly;
promoting safeguarding education and awareness among athletes, coaches, officials, volunteers, parents and members;
making reasonable adjustments to enable participation by persons with disabilities wherever practicable;
complying with all applicable safeguarding legislation and sporting regulations; and
continually reviewing and improving its safeguarding practices.

Responsibilities of Members

Safeguarding is everyone’s responsibility.

All athletes, coaches, officials, volunteers, parents, guardians and members are expected to:

place the welfare of participants above sporting success;
treat every individual with dignity, courtesy and respect;
respect diversity and promote an inclusive sporting environment;
maintain appropriate professional and personal boundaries;
respect the independence, privacy and individual needs of persons with disabilities;
never engage in abusive, discriminatory or inappropriate behaviour;
challenge unacceptable behaviour whenever it is safe to do so;
report safeguarding concerns promptly; and
cooperate fully with safeguarding investigations.

Expected Standards of Behaviour

Every affiliated person shall:

act honestly, respectfully and professionally;
promote equality and inclusion;
refrain from physical, emotional, psychological or sexual abuse;
never bully, intimidate, harass or victimise another person;
never discriminate against another person on any prohibited ground;
use respectful language both in person and online;
act as a positive role model, particularly when working with children and vulnerable adults;
comply with the Club’s Code of Ethics and safeguarding procedures; and
contribute to maintaining a safe environment for all participants.

Reporting Safeguarding Concerns

Every member has a responsibility to report safeguarding concerns.

Any person who witnesses, suspects or receives information concerning abuse, neglect, bullying, harassment, grooming, discrimination, exploitation or any other safeguarding concern should report the matter immediately.

Concerns may be reported to the Club’s Safeguarding Officer or another appropriate Club official.

Where there is an immediate risk of harm or where required by law, concerns should also be reported directly to the Malta Police Force or the competent statutory authority.

The Club is committed to treating all safeguarding concerns seriously, fairly, promptly and confidentially.

Individuals who report concerns in good faith or cooperate with safeguarding investigations shall be protected from retaliation.

Education and Awareness

The Club actively promotes safeguarding education and encourages all members to familiarise themselves with the safeguarding guidance, educational material and policies published by the Authority for Integrity in Maltese Sport (AIMS), Malta Rowing Federation, Regatta Malta, World Rowing and other competent authorities.

Safeguarding training forms an integral part of the Club’s commitment to creating a safe sporting environment.

Safeguarding Officer

The Club has appointed a Safeguarding Officer who serves as the primary point of contact for safeguarding matters.

The Safeguarding Officer works closely with the Integrity Officer, Executive Committee and competent authorities to ensure that safeguarding concerns are managed professionally, fairly and confidentially.

Disciplinary Action

Compliance with the Club’s Safeguarding Policy is a binding condition of Club membership and athlete registration.

Any alleged safeguarding breach may be investigated by the Club and/or referred to the competent authorities. The Club reserves the right to take disciplinary action in accordance with its Statute, Code of Ethics and disciplinary procedures, and, where appropriate, to seek compensation for any financial, reputational or other damage suffered by the Club as a consequence of safeguarding violations, without prejudice to any action taken by AIMS, Malta Rowing Federation, Regatta Malta, World Rowing, the Malta Police Force or any other competent authority.