RUGBY Borough joined forces with the club’s junior section to highlight the importance of safeguarding children in football.
Borough hosted a ‘Play Safe Weekend’ event, part of the club’s ‘Play Safe’ scheme, during the club’s weekend fixture against Coleshill Town.
The theme of Borough’s 2025 message centers around conversation with the slogan – ‘small talk is bigger than you think’.
The aim of the campaign is to reinforce the idea that safeguarding is everyone’s responsibility and encourages all adults in football to encourage open conversations.
And Borough’s ‘Play Safe Weekend’ kicked off with an under-nine clash between the Hawks and Tigers.
Rugby’s first team later walked out with mascots from the under-nine teams ahead of their Northern Premier League Midlands fixture against Coleshill.
Borough chairman, Brian Crinigan said in his programme notes: “This weekend we welcomed and thank our mascots as we embrace the values of our junior club – safe, inclusive and progressive.
“Play Safe weekend is an opportunity to unite our JFC community with the first team and shine a light on the vital role of safeguarding in football.”
“Junior section chair, Kate Madia added: “Safeguarding is the responsibility of every adult in football.
“Sometimes concerns can start with something small – a feeling, a subtle change in behaviour, or a shift in confidence.
“Trust your instincts. If something feels wrong, report it. The small things help build the bigger picture.
“Every interaction with a child is an opportunity – let’s make every contact count.”
