World Sailing has launched a free online safeguarding course through its digital Academy platform, open to anyone involved in the sport.
The Safeguarding in Sport course is aimed at athletes, coaches, officials and anyone else connected to sailing. It's designed to equip participants with the knowledge and practical skills needed to protect athletes and participants from harm, harassment and abuse.
The course opens with a module on Understanding Safeguarding, then moves into human rights, the different types of abuse and harassment that can occur in sport, and the risk factors within sport, along with how to identify and prevent safeguarding concerns.
Rather than sticking to theory, the course leans on interactive and visual elements to guide participants through identifying potential issues, establishing robust prevention standards, responding appropriately, and understanding proper reporting channels.
It's self-paced, so it can be completed from anywhere. On successful completion, participants earn an official certificate demonstrating their understanding of international safeguarding standards.
Gillian Sanders OLY, World Sailing Integrity Manager & World Sailing Safeguarding Officer, said educating the sailing community was one of the most effective prevention tools available.
"Educating our sailing community on safeguarding in sport is one of our most powerful prevention tools," Sanders said. "By equipping coaches, officials, athletes and our wider community with the skills and knowledge to recognise and disrupt harmful behaviours early, we are actively cultivating a culture of transparency and an environment where the safety, well-being, and rights of everyone, especially children and vulnerable individuals, are prioritised and actively protected."
Registration for the World Sailing Academy is free and open to anyone involved in sailing, whether an athlete, coach, race official, or part of the wider sailing community.
More information, and the course itself, is available through the World Sailing website.
