Safeguarding in sport is shaped by international standards — yet meaningful change happens at the local level.
In this episode, we examine how safeguarding policies and frameworks are implemented in practice, exploring why translating international standards into safe sport environments remains a significant challenge. The discussion considers how safeguarding expectations reach clubs, coaches, and communities, and why policies that appear effective on paper often struggle to influence everyday behaviour.
A central theme is the relationship between global frameworks and local realities. The episode explores why safeguarding measures must be adapted to cultural and social contexts rather than simply translated and transferred across settings. Using examples from Southern Europe, the conversation highlights how understandings of safety and acceptable behaviour vary across communities, requiring locally relevant approaches while maintaining international standards.
The discussion also examines barriers to implementation, including low levels of trust in institutions, top-down decision-making, and communication gaps between policymakers and grassroots sport. It highlights the importance of co-designing safeguarding measures with athletes, coaches, parents, and communities, and warns against “safe washing” — compliance-driven approaches where policies exist on paper but fail to influence practice.
This episode features Dr Stiliani “Ani” Chroni and Dr Maria Papaefstathiou, experts in safeguarding implementation, athlete welfare, child protection, and violence prevention in sport.
The episode was recorded in January 2026.
Further readings recommended by the guest in this episode:
• “IOC Consensus Statement: Interpersonal violence and safeguarding in sport\" by Tuakli-Wosornu, Y. A., et al. (2024). British Journal of Sports Medicine.
• “FEPSAC position statement on safeguarding athletes in sport.Khomutova\" by A., Chroni, S., Kavanagh, E., Ruffault, A., Miles, A., Moesch, K., Fontanesi, L., Nery, M., & Vertommen, T. (2025). Psychology of Sport and Exercise, 80.
• \"Spoilsports: Understanding and Preventing Sexual Exploitation in Sport\" by Celia H. Brackenridge (2021) Routledge.
• “The sexual abuse of boys in organized male sports” by Hartill M. (2008) Men and Masculinities, 12.
• “The Routledge handbook of athlete welfare”by Lang, M. (Ed.). (2020) London: Routledge.
• “Why I didn’t say anything: The Sheldon Kennedy story.Kennedy\" by S., & Grainger, J. (2006). Toronto, ON: Insomniac Press.
• “Safeguarding childhood: Early intervention and surveillance in a late modern society”by Parton, N. (2005). Basingstoke, UK: Palgrave Macmillan (now Red Globe Press).
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