Raising the age of adult membership to 18

Posted: 8 January 2024

From 01 January 2024 all new applicants for NFAS membership along with those renewing memberships will be classed as a junior until they reach the age of 18.

Why are we doing this?

In the UK, the legal age at which young people are classed as adults is 18.  Historically the NFAS has classed young people as adults, for membership purposes, when they reach 16.  Our Child Protection Policy is currently being updated and this discrepancy has caused numerous issues when considering the safeguarding of children and young people.

For example, as of 28 June 2022 the law in England states that those in a position of trust in sports organisations cannot legally have sexual activity with young people under 18 years old, where they have had any kind of responsibility for that young person.  In the NFAS this would include Coaches, club officials and shoot guardians but could also extend to any adult member who has been in a position of trust or responsibility for that young person.

We do not currently require shoot guardians for young people aged 16-18 and, as far as our safeguarding and child protection responsibilities are concerned, this could leave young people in this age group at risk of harm.

What will change?

• The new membership forms will have an additional field for date of birth.  This will enable the Membership Secretary to identify the correct membership for each person.
• Children and young people will also be eligible for inclusion on a family membership until they reach 18.  For renewals, this will come into effect from the date you renew.
• All children and young people will need a shoot guardian, with the required form, until they are 18.  This is being implemented for 16–17-year-olds from 01 January 2024.  Please see the section on shoot guardians/forms below.

I am 16/17 and have been competing as an adult.  Do I have to go back to shooting as a junior?

No.  There will not be additional bow classes for 16-17 year olds.  Archers who are aged 16 and over will continue to shoot red, white and blue pegs and compete in the same category as before.

If you have any questions about these changes, please email Alison MacRory childprotection@nfas.net

If your query is about membership then please email Lynne Harrison membership@NFAS.net

Shoot Guardian Forms

Currently, every child or young person in the NFAS needs a Shoot Guardian whenever they are not being accompanied by a parent or legal guardian.  This includes children and young people being accompanied by other family members such as grandparents, aunts and uncles.  These rules are not just for open shoots and championships but for EVERY club activity including beginner courses, have a go sessions, and any time the child attends the club.

The same form can be used for multiple visits and you do not need a new form for every visit/shoot to the same club provided that it is the same shoot guardian.

In its current format, the parent or guardian needs to complete two identical forms so that one copy can be carried by the shoot guardian and the other handed to the relevant club official (see below).  From 01 January 2024 there will be an updated version of this form so that only one copy is needed but with a section that can be given to the relevant club official.

Clubs should retain their copies of these forms until the child/young person reaches the age of 18.

At your own club

The shoot guardian must present the completed form to a coach, CPO or committee member at their club.  This could include anyone who takes responsibility for inductions or introducing new members to field archery.

A child or young person must not be allowed to attend your club accompanied by anyone other than the parent or legal guardian, without the necessary forms.

Open shoots, friendly shoots and informal visits to other clubs

A copy of the Shoot Guardian form must be given to the shoot admin or official at the club you are visiting.  Again, a child or young person must not be allowed to shoot, accompanied by anyone other than the parent or legal guardian, without the necessary forms.

Championships

Completed forms must be sent to the relevant Champs Admin as detailed on the application forms.

How often does the parent need to complete a new form?

This form must be updated every 12 months or sooner if:

• There is a change to the health or special requirements of the child, for example a newly diagnosed health condition or disability or change in medication.
• The contact details for the parent/guardian change.
• The child is attending with a different shoot guardian.

Why do we need these forms?

You, as a club, must be sure that the parent or guardian of the child or young person knows that they are being brought to archery and has agreed to share parental responsibility with the shoot guardian while their child is taking part in NFAS activities.  As previously stated, this includes other family members, including grandparents.  The family member may not be fully aware of any medical conditions, medication or special requirements for the child and, in the event of a medical emergency, would not be allowed to make decisions or give permissions relating to the care of the child unless they have the parental consent given on completion of the form.

We have been asked whether these forms can be held electronically by the shoot guardian, club official or shoot admin and we have said no.  Some of the reasons are explained below:

• A copy of the form must be able to be given to medical professionals in the event of illness or accident, or to the police or local authority if there is a complaint made.
• If the shoot guardian is taken ill and the only copy of the form is on their phone, this would mean other people at the club were unable to contact the child’s parent or guardian.
• Electronic copies would be reliant on the internet connection at the location.

We may be able to find a solution or alternative to the paper form in the future but, for the moment, we are continuing to insist on hard copies of these forms.

Does your club have a designated Child Protection and Safeguarding Officer?

If your club does not have a nominated Child Protection and Safeguarding Officer (CPO) then the responsibilities involved in this role fall to the club Chairman.

As part of the process of updating the Child Protection policy, we are asking each club to add their CPO to the list of club officials, so that we have the contact details of the appropriate person.  If you have more than one role on your club’s committee then our new database will enable us to show this, but we need to start collecting this information now.  This will enable us to contact the correct person in the event of a reported incident but also to make it easier to make sure information on the policies and new forms is reaching the right person.

The new Child Protection policy should be ready to launch in the new year and we plan to arrange some Zoom sessions to allow each club CPO/chairperson to attend so that we can answer any questions you may have.  We will also be running through a range of different scenarios to encourage some discussion on how different situations could be dealt with.

Please contact the Membership Secretary, Lynne Harrison  membership@nfas.net with the following details:

Your name, role (CPO or Chairperson), the name of your club, email address and telephone number.

As always, I am here to give advice and help with any child protection and safeguarding issues and to answer any questions you may have either by email childprotection@nfas.net or by phone on 07528233624.

Alison MacRory

NFAS Child Protection and Safeguarding Officer