The World Association of Wrestling and Bellatrix Female Warriors provide a close-knit community to people from all walks of life. We recognise the importance of protecting those who are involved with that community, particularly the young and potentially vulnerable individuals.
We take our obligations very seriously and, as such, have taken action on a number of arrangements to support these groups. For example, all of our coaches have a valid Enhanced DBS certificate. These checks are renewed regularly, the results of which inform our recruitment of new staff and/or coaches, especially where interaction with the WAW Young Performers, our youth wrestling training school, is concerned.
To support this, we have implemented a robust and thorough Safeguarding Policy which lays out the company’s position, giving all of our coaches and other staff members the support required to protect those who participate in activities at our events and training school. We also ensure that all coaches have undertaken safeguarding training with a reputable training company. This training is carried out periodically to ensure that their knowledge is up to date, with support from a suitably qualified Designated Safeguarding Lead who can provide advice and guidance as needed.
We are passionate about providing a safe and secure environment, catering to both children and vulnerable adults, allowing us to ensure their safety and well-being at all times.
From May 2021, the following practices will also be adhered to as part of our Safeguarding Policy:
- All of our training sessions will be filmed to ensure a permanent record is maintained.
- No one-to-one meetings will take place between wrestlers or trainees and senior members of staff, an independent third party will remain present at all times.
These policies have been implemented under the guidance of Ash Willson, an independent health and safety consultant with accreditation from the Institution of Occupational Safety and Health (IOSH) and the Occupational Safety and Health Consultants Register (OSHCR). In addition to developing these policies, Ash has been instrumental in helping WAW adhere to Covid-19 safety regulations and will continue in an ongoing capacity as our Health, Safety & Wellbeing Co-Ordinator.
WAW has also implemented a Mentorship Programme designed to provide a network of trusted individuals to any trainee or roster member in need of advice or mental health support. Mentors include a full-time teacher with 42 years’ experience working with children and young adults, a prison officer and former PCSO, and a number of experienced roster members from various backgrounds. All mentors report directly to the Health, Safety & Wellbeing Co-Ordinator via an established order of procedures.
If you wish to contact us regarding anything outlined on this page you can do so by emailing us at safety@wawuk.com. This inbox is monitored by our independent Health, Safety & Wellbeing Co-Ordinator and all communications will be treated with the strictest confidentiality.
This page was first published on May 16th 2021 and last updated on May 16th 2021.