Creating a Safe and Enjoyable Hockey Environment

Alex O’Kelly and Jackie Tomkinson, play a key role offering guidance to coaches, players and parents, they 

act as the first point of contact for any welfare concerns, and help create a positive, protective environment for young players. Supported by England Hockey’s comprehensive Welfare Officer toolkit and the Ethics and Welfare Team, Alex and Jackie ensure that safeguarding remains at the heart of everything we do. 

 Adult players have an important role in helping to keep young people safe within our club. England Hockey is clear that anyone under 18 has the right to enjoy hockey in a safe, positive environment, free from harm. As part of this, all adults are expected to understand what good practice looks like and to recognise behaviours that may put young players at risk. England Hockey provides guidance, policies and support to help everyone play their part in creating a safe hockey community. Click ‘Learn More’ below to understand what poor practice looks like and how to avoid it. 

 Gravesend Ladies Hockey Club provides a fun, friendly and safe place for all young players to enjoy hockey. You have the right to feel happy, included and protected every time you train or play. If anything ever worries you or doesn’t feel right, you can talk to our Welfare Officers, Alex O’Kelly or Jackie Tomkinson, who are here to listen and help. Your safety matters, and we follow England Hockey’s safeguarding guidance to make sure your hockey experience is always positive. 

Gravesend Ladies Hockey Club fiercely promotes and upholds the wellbeing and safety of every young person involved in our sport. We fully follow England Hockey’s belief that all under‑18s have the right to enjoy hockey in a safe, positive and supportive environment, free from harm. In line with national guidance, we adopt and implement England Hockey’s Safeguarding Young People Policy and make full use of the advice, support and resources provided by the England Hockey Ethics and Welfare Team. We also draw on England Hockey’s comprehensive safeguarding toolkit to ensure that young players and their families feel informed, protected and confident throughout their hockey experience. 

Gravesend Ladies Hockey Club is fully committed to creating a safe, positive and protective environment for every player, both young people and adults. In line with England Hockey’s safeguarding standards, all our coaches, volunteers and helpers are DBS‑checked and have completed the required safeguarding training. This ensures that everyone involved in delivering hockey at our club understands their responsibilities, follows best practice, and helps maintain a culture where wellbeing, respect and safety come first. 

Gravesend Ladies Hockey Committee is fully committed to placing the welfare, safety and protection of every member at the heart of everything we do. We take responsibility for creating an environment where all players — young people and adults alike — can enjoy hockey confidently, free from discrimination, bullying or harm. As a club, we hold ourselves accountable for upholding the highest safeguarding standards, following England Hockey guidance, and ensuring that our policies, behaviours and culture consistently promote respect, inclusion and wellbeing. Our promise is simple: every member of Gravesend Ladies Hockey Club will always be supported, valued and protected so they can enjoy the sport they love in a safe and positive community.