English football unites this weekend to promote Play Safe, the FA’s national campaign emphasising the importance of safeguarding across our game.
The core message of Play Safe Weekend is both simple and powerful: safeguarding is everyone’s responsibility. This message will be reinforced through a variety of activities, resources and communications rolled out nationwide during the weekend.
Arsenal will show its support during the Premier League home fixture against Leicester City on Saturday, September 28, followed by the Women’s Super League away match against Leicester City on Sunday, September 29.
First-team managers and captains from both the men’s and women’s teams will wear special badges and themed armbands to enhance visibility. In 2023, Arsenal men’s captain Martin Odegaard wore a specially designed armband supporting Play Safe Weekend.
Additionally, Arsenal in the Community will host Play Safe tournaments for local grassroots clubs at The Arsenal Hub on Saturday and Sunday. These activities are part of our Football Plus programme, funded by the Premier League and PFA. The events will include pitchside workshops for parents, allowing them to make pledges toward creating a safer environment for young players.
As part of the campaign, we encourage all parents and carers to complete the FA’s free Safeguarding Awareness for Parents and Carers course. We’ve had an incredible response so far, with more than 100 parents and carers completing the course and receiving their certificates. You can view the Safeguarding course here.
Also, four players from the Arsenal Under-18 squad have created a video supporting Play Safe Weekend, which will be distributed across our social channels throughout the weekend.
Arsenal’s Senior Safeguarding Manager Laura Munson added, “As a club, we are proud to support The FA’s Play Safe Campaign once again this weekend. Ensuring the safety of children is the responsibility of everyone at the club, regardless of their role. We want all children and young people who are part of the Arsenal Family to feel safe and supported within our environments.
“In addition to the Play Safe tournaments taking place this weekend, we encourage parents and carers to complete The FA’s Safeguarding Awareness for Parents and Carers Course. With over 100 participants signed up so far, this fantastic response underscores the importance of the Play Safe initiative.”
Play Safe is endorsed by the NSPCC and supported at every level of English football, including the Premier League, EFL, Barclays Women’s Super League, Barclays Women’s Championship, men’s and women’s National Leagues and grassroots football.
You can read more about Play Safe 2024 here.
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