online sport safeguarding and child protection course

 Almost 2,000 learners have taken part in first online sport safeguarding and child protection course – Essentials in Safeguarding - since January 

FIFA and Concacaf join forces to host FIFA Guardians™ workshop for member associations

Become a FIFA Guardian today

Following its launch in January 2021, the FIFA Guardians Safeguarding in Sport Diploma has reached a major milestone recently with nearly 2,000 learners having taken part in the first online course - Essentials in Safeguarding.  

In line with FIFA’s long-term commitment to professionalise and embed child and adult safeguarding and child protection standards across the game, the FIFA Guardians Safeguarding in Sport Diploma aims to further develop and professionalise the role of safeguarding officers within football, as well as providing all 211 member associations (MAs) with a dedicated, interactive educational resource to develop safeguarding best practice.

With the second of five online courses launched this week, 195 FIFA Learners from 119 member associations (MAs), regional associations, and confederations have already enrolled to the FIFA Guardians Safeguarding in Sport Diploma. 

Over a two year period, FIFA Learners will complete five dedicated courses, tutor moderated forums, webinars and assessments, as well as attending interactive workshops.  The first group of FIFA Learners are also on target to graduate at the end of 2022, providing almost 200 trained safeguarding officers across FIFAs 211 MAs, and with more expected to join the programme in the coming months.  

As the first-ever global safeguarding in sport education programme, the FIFA Guardians Safeguarding in Sport Diploma is also available as an open learning experience to everyone from the grassroots to the professional game who work or volunteer, support or play, and want to learn more about safeguarding and the preventative measures they should take to better protect the wellbeing and safety of children in sport. 

With more than 1900 open learners from around the world registered to date, over 66% (1255) have so far completed course one - FIFA Guardians Safeguarding Essentials. 

To start your journey to becoming a FIFA Guardian, please click HERE. 

FIFA Guardians

Concacaf and FIFA join forces to organise regional workshop for MAs

More than 100 MA presidents, secretary generals and senior personnel from across the region also recently took part in two FIFA Guardians online workshops co-hosted by FIFA and Concacaf. 

These workshops provided an introduction to safeguarding and the leadership steps needed to strengthen safeguarding standards with several members sharing their experiences and the preventative steps they had put in place.  

Speaking during the workshop, Philippe Moggio, General Secretary of Concacaf said:  “Child safeguarding is central to all Concacaf programming, from our development activities through to our competitions. 

"Our continued commitment is to ensure that all children are able to participate in our sport in a safe, protected and inclusive environment, facilitating their positive development, not only within the sport but also in their education and in society."

FIFA Guardians Rio Ferdinand

Jason Roberts, Director of Development, Concacaf, added:  “Concacaf’s safeguarding strategy is to keep safeguarding at the forefront of our football development activities. 

“Concacaf has prioritised safeguarding as an integral part of our coach education and football for social change initiatives. All coaches and coach educators participating in Concacaf programming go through a rigorous safeguarding certification course, building awareness among community activators of how to safeguard children in sport and building a positive environment for children’s participation and inclusion.”

Launched in July 2019, FIFA Guardians™ is a dedicated programme developed by FIFA to help and support member associations and confederations around the world in strengthening child and vulnerable adult safeguarding measures across football.

For more information about FIFA Guardians™, please click HERE.