Safeguarding at Speldhurst Cricket Club

Speldhurst Cricket Club is committed to providing a safe, welcoming and inclusive environment for everyone involved in the game.

We want all children, young people and adults to enjoy cricket in a positive and supportive setting, free from harm, abuse, bullying or discrimination. The club follows ECB Safe Hands guidance and has clear policies, procedures and trained safeguarding officers in place to ensure concerns are taken seriously and acted upon appropriately.

This page brings together key safeguarding contacts, governance arrangements and policies.

Key contacts and Safeguarding Steering group

In Summer 2025, the Club Committee agreed to establish a Safeguarding Steering Group. The group comprises the following members:

  • Francis Booth – Joint Club Safeguarding Officer (CSO).
  • Annabel Narayanan – Joint CSO and incoming lead CSO. Annabel is the mother of two young cricketers and brings a strong range of people and business skills to the role.
  • Gemma Wilson – Mother of two young cricketers and Deputy Head of The Mead School, where she leads on all safeguarding matters.
  • Emma Connolly – Mother of two young cricketers and a qualified Support Coach. She is also Head of Talent Management and Development at the CBI.
  • Rob McAllister – Head of Coaching and senior cricket player, with extensive safeguarding experience gained through his professional work.
  • Ali Wood – Senior cricket player with wide safeguarding experience through his role as a Sports Master.
  • The Club Chairman and Head of Junior Cricket will be invited to attend meetings as observers

NOTE: The club will operate with joint CSOs until later in 2026.

Role and Governance

The Safeguarding Steering Group will act in an executive capacity on all safeguarding matters, operating under delegated authority from the Club Committee.

The CSO will escalate significant or urgent safeguarding issues to the Club Chairman promptly.

The group will report quarterly in writing to the Club Committee, and more frequently where required.

Safeguarding Policies and Procedures

Safeguarding Notices

  • Safeguarding Notice 1
  • Safeguarding Notice 2