Belfast Met College RFC

Belfast Met College RFC We are the U18 Rugby Club who play out of the Belfast Met College Further Education Organisation. The club recognises that implementation is an ongoing process.

CHILD SAFEGUARDING STATEMENT

Through the IRFU and related Branch, Belfast Met College provides rugby activities to young people through participation in mini and youth coaching and competitions and participation programmes in related schools and/or the community. The club is committed to the enjoyment of rugby by young people. It values and encourages the participation of parents, coaches and vol

unteers in rugby for participants under 18-years of age. The club will adhere to the IRFU safeguarding policy, which strives to respect the dignity and rights of Age Grade Players. The club will strive to promote, create and maintain safe environments for Age Grade Players. It will endeavour to maintain the key values of Respect, Inclusivity, Integrity, Excellence and Fun. A detailed safeguarding policy can be found here, https://www.irishrugby.ie/playing-the-game/spirit-of-rugby/safeguarding/safeguarding-policy/ and is available through the Club Welfare Officer (Nathan Moore). The Sports Councils’ Code of Ethics/Safeguarding Guidance should be used where the IRFU has not published specific guidelines, in particular with regard to the principles to safeguard children from harm, https://www.sportireland.ie/ethics/safeguarding-guidance-for-children-and-young-people-in-sport

The club carried out a risk assessment for any potential harm to a child while involved in rugby. These risks were categorised under the following headings Recruitment, Club and Coaching Practices, Reporting, Complaints, Facilities, Communication and General Risk of Harm. The assessment reviewed the areas of potential risk of harm, the likelihood of the risk occurring, and gives the required policy, guidance and document links required to manage these risks. The written risk assessment and the procedures for managing these risks is available at the end of this statement / in the full version of this statement (virtual or printed version)

Our child safeguarding statement has been developed in line with requirements of the IRFU and under the Children First Act 2015 and in Northern Ireland, the Club Framework for Safeguarding Standards. In addition to the procedures listed in our risk assessment, the club adheres to the following procedures that are in place as part of the IRFU Safeguarding Policy and our intention to safeguard children:
• Procedure for the safe recruitment and selection of workers and volunteers to work with children, http://www.irishrugby.ie/playingthegame/development/safeguarding/recruitment.php
• Procedure for provision of and access to child safeguarding training and information, including the identification of the occurrence of harm, http://www.irishrugby.ie/playingthegame/development/safeguarding/training.php
• Procedure for the reporting of child protection and welfare concerns to Tusla (Ireland) and Gateway (Northern Ireland) through the National Safeguarding Officer and appointed Mandated Person within IRFU: Anne Marie Hughes . The Club Welfare Officer Nathan Moore is the Relevant Person as per Children First Act. Other staff and volunteers within the club may hold the role and responsibility of a Mandated Person as per Schedule 2 of the Act but have not been appointed by the club/IRFU. They are always expected to act as a Mandated Person and when making a report in their professional capacity that involves rugby should always inform the IRFU Mandated Person that such a report has been made by them.
• Procedure for the management of allegation of abuse or misconduct against workers/volunteers of a child availing of our service and can be found in the case management policy, http://www.irishrugby.ie/playingthegame/development/safeguarding/concerns.php
• Procedure for appointing a relevant person for the purposes of the implementation of this Child Safeguarding Statement
• Procedures to minimise risk of harm of a child have been put in place and are available in the IRFU Safeguarding Policy, https://www.irishrugby.ie/playing-the-game/spirit-of-rugby/safeguarding/safeguarding-policy/
All procedures listed are available on the IRFU website, http://www.irishrugby.ie/safeguarding . The club management expects those involved within age-grade rugby to adopt and supervise the implementation of these safeguarding principles and standards. It is committed to the implementation of this Child Safeguarding Statement and accompanying safeguarding policy and procedures to keep children involved in rugby safe from harm. We will do this through the implementation of the Club Safeguarding Action Plan and IRFU safeguarding audit, https://d19fc3vd0ojo3m.cloudfront.net/irfu/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/31120516/Club-SafeguardingAction-Plan.pdf

A link to the IRFU Safeguarding Policy is included in relevant club documentation and is available here, https://www.facebook.com/BelfastMetCollegeRFC/about/. Coaches and Volunteer College Higher Education Students have received a copy of the policy and signed adherence through the Declaration of Intent. The Child Safeguarding Statement and related safeguarding policies are available to all parents/guardians and members of the public though the IRFU website and is available on request from the Club Welfare Officer, https://www.irishrugby.ie/playing-the-game/spirit-of-rugby/safeguarding/

The club will work with the Branch Spirit of Rugby Officer on the implementation of the policy and are available to assist Club Welfare Officers and related personnel and to deal with club queries. They can be contacted at:
• Ulster: Kerry Spence – [email protected]

Club Welfare Officers have completed relevant safeguarding training. Their ID templates are on display on club social media. The club has completed the necessary risk assessment and published the child safeguarding statement. The club follows the safeguarding club action plan, the anti-bullying statement, uses the club pavement signs and Spirit of Rugby ‘Let Them Play’ video clips. Coaches and volunteers have also received training in vetting and safeguarding through the IRFU. This Child Safeguarding Statement will be reviewed in September 2023, or as soon as practicable after there has been a material change in any matter to which the statement refers. For queries please contact the Relevant Person, Nathan Moore, [email protected], 02890265080. Signed: PaulBOyle Signed: NMoore
Chair Club Welfare Officer

Club Update: 07/10/23.***A Sad Farewell to Belfast Met College Rugby Football Club***In a heart-rending turn of events, ...
07/10/2023

Club Update: 07/10/23.

***A Sad Farewell to Belfast Met College Rugby Football Club***

In a heart-rending turn of events, the management of Belfast Met College Rugby Football Club have made the difficult decision to dissolve the U18 Club and club constitution.
This development has been the culmination of several factors and has not been decided on a whim. The club has been an essential part of the college life for the past six years, and its dissolution marks the end of an era.

***Reasons for Dissolution***

The reasons leading to this drastic step are twofold. Firstly, the future requirement of the Youth Committee requiring all provincial league sides to compete at U14, U16 and U18. Secondly, the recent application of Belfast Met College for Schools Status.

***Future Requirement of the Youth Committee***
The Youth Committee's future requirement was for all provincial league sides to compete at U14, U16 and U18. However, it was never the objective of Belfast Met College Rugby Football Club to develop U14 or U16 in an already saturated area of Belfast. The Club was primarily a place where students at Belfast Met College could play their rugby with friends from the numerous courses it delivers.

A proposed solution to this requirement was for the Belfast Met College Rugby Football Club to amalgamate with another club. This would allow them to use the other club's U14 and U16 teams to fulfil the requirements of the Provincial Youth teams. This model was trialled in the 2022-23 season, but it was found to be unsustainable. The players, the coaches, and the club management all agreed on this. As a result, this became a significant factor leading to the immediate dissolution of the Club.

***Application for Schools Status***
The second reason was the recent application of Belfast Met College for Schools Status. It was discovered that the college's request for school status was rejected because of the playing numbers of the Belfast Met College Rugby Football Club and the proposed amalgamation with another club. The management of the Belfast Met College Rugby Football Club was saddened to learn that their existence as an affiliated youth club was part of the grounds for the rejection of the College's application.

There has been a clear distinction between the Belfast Met College Student rugby XV, who play friendlies against schools, and the Belfast Met College Rugby Football U18 Club, which requires students to have an IRFU registration with Belfast Met College Rugby Football Club.
However, it became apparent that these two separate entities were causing confusion regarding eligibility and playing numbers.

Therefore, to assist the College in providing accurate eligible players for future applications, the Belfast Met College Rugby Football Club decided to dissolve its constitution and U18 club immediately, to ensure transparency in U18 College eligible playing numbers going forward.

***Memorable Moments***

Despite the dissolution, the Belfast Met College Rugby Football Club's journey in the IRFU Ulster Branch youth leagues has been enjoyable and memorable. The club has had its share of glory with several regional league titles, two Provincial League finals and two U18 Cup finals with 2 titles from those finals.

The immediate dissolution of the Belfast Met College Rugby Football Club and its constitution is a sad development. However, the club believes in the vision that Belfast Met College has and wishes to support it and the students' experience during their stay at the College.

***A Final Farewell***
It is with a heavy heart that we say goodbye to the Belfast Met College Rugby Football Club. Nathan Moore, the Honorary Secretary of the club, has been instrumental in this journey. His dedication and commitment to the club will always be remembered as the club's legacy lives on in the hearts of its players and supporters.

🫵***WE THANK YOU***🫵

07/01/2023

We're on the road today to Virginia Rugby Football Club this fine Saturday morning!!

Crunch end of the season now! We're 2nd in the league and it's all to play for!

Here's to a great game of rugby!

07/10/2022

Just a quick note to our adoring fans that unfortunately tomorrow's fixture has been conceded by Enniskillen! So a wee weekend off to prepare for some big games over the next few weeks!

Next Batch of fixtures for the Belfast Met College RFC/Instonians Rugby Club U18 squad. Two weeks into the campaign sees...
02/10/2022

Next Batch of fixtures for the Belfast Met College RFC/Instonians Rugby Club U18 squad.

Two weeks into the campaign sees and win and a loss. All to play for with a trip to Enniskillen RFC (Official) this weekend ahead.

01/10/2022

Bit of a run on tries....

3rd try Peter Gordon intercept from the 40... Conversion Rhys Campbell...

Then 4th bonus point try Instonians Conor Connolly drives over from 5m to seal the game con missed

Full Time

Armagh 0-24 Met/Inst

01/10/2022

Met score again after sustained phase play! Tyler Davies opens his account with the try and Rhys Campbell is good with the con...

Armagh 0-12 Met/Inst

01/10/2022

KO at Armagh and after a few ferocious early exchanges from both sides a well worked overlap puts Charlie Lloyd in the corner!

Conversion just wide...

Armagh 0-5 Met/Inst

01/10/2022

AND WE'RE ON THE ROAD TO ARMAGH.....

Your Belfast Met/Instonians U18s travel today to meet the Orchard County Men! Here's to a wonderful days rugby on a bright autumnal morning....

Have I had more than one coffee?.....
....... Maybe 👀😬

Will check in with scores when possible!

🐺🐲

It's a big day for the parish tomorrow as Belfast Met’s own Ethan Graham makes the Ulster A squad to play Munster A tomo...
05/05/2022

It's a big day for the parish tomorrow as Belfast Met’s own Ethan Graham makes the Ulster A squad to play Munster A tomorrow!

We send all our best wishes with you Ethan!

David McCann will skipper the Ulster side and is named at Number Eight alongside Reuben Crothers at openside and James McNabn

What a day for the battle!!!Wind howling all over Castlereagh for an absolute corker of a final!Alas it wasn't to be aft...
29/01/2022

What a day for the battle!!!

Wind howling all over Castlereagh for an absolute corker of a final!

Alas it wasn't to be after coming from behind in a nip tuck game of end to end rugby!

Ballymena pinched it with a try in the last play of the game!

Full credit to both sides and to the referee and TJ! Great advertisment for rugby!

Good luck to Ballymena who go on to play All Ireland semis!

But we couldn't be more proud of our young men who put their heart and soul into that!

Final score

Belfast Met 19-24 Ballymena!

Next up.... 1st round cup vs Ballyclare at home on the 12th Feb!

See you then!

You know what you can't beat with a big stick???😁 STASH DAY!!! 😁Academy students are furnished with a wealth of Kukri Ru...
26/01/2022

You know what you can't beat with a big stick???

😁 STASH DAY!!! 😁

Academy students are furnished with a wealth of Kukri Rugby Academy kit and the first shipment arrived just in time for the big final this weekend!

A better turned out bunch you won't see! 😎

When you join us, you become part of a family! You're given your own hashtag number which stays with you for life and places you in the pack!

Today our last number was #180....

Could YOU be #181?

Get in touch and start your journey to be a part of our Pack!

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Montgomery Road
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