In the realm of sports safeguarding, a new voice is emerging, one committed to the protection and well-being of athletes at all levels. 

Naledi Dlamini, a Safeguarding Intern at the South African Sports Confederation and Olympic Committee (SASCOC), is making significant strides in the field. 

Her involvement with the eqUIP Programme, an initiative of Commonwealth Sport, which aims to develop youth leaders through internships and employment opportunities across the Commonwealth, has been pivotal in her professional development.

Naledi is presently studying for a MPhil in Sport Management at University of Johannesburg, in South Africa, and is putting her learning to good use. 

“My academic background in sport led me to explore opportunities aligned with the Commonwealth Games associations,” explained Dlamini. 

“I applied for a unique internship opportunity with SASCOC, which marked the beginning of my involvement in safeguarding and safe sport."

When discussing her role, Dlamini dives into the essence of safeguarding: “Safeguarding and safe sport are interchangeable terms, but it is about response and prevention. It is a response to harassment, abuse, discrimination, and non-accidental violence that happens, whether we like it or not, in sports. However, we start with prevention, making sure that people are educated.”

Dlamini emphasises the importance of addressing the ‘win by all means’ mentality in sports: “The problem with that mentality is that sometimes you don't know where those win-by-all-means start and stop. Those are the things that safeguarding and safe sport are targeting.”

Working with SASCOC, she has faced the daunting task of addressing complex issues. "You deal with such heavy content. Sometimes you speak to people about one of the worst things that has ever happened to them, and it is your responsibility to give them an answer.”

For Dlamini, the most important factor in safeguarding in sports is the athlete's voice. Writing policies and guidelines with the correct technical language is one thing, but they need to be concise and easily accessible for athletes across all levels. 

“We need to remember that when we are writing our policies and plans, the person at the centre of all this is the athlete. It's all good and well to have this well-thought-out constitution and policy, but if you ask the athlete and they have no idea what you're talking about, then we have missed the mark.”

Dlamini says that her experience with the eqUIP programme has helped her understand the cultural challenges safeguarding in sport faces, and believes that organizations like Commonwealth Sport play a significant role in advancing safeguarding measures globally. 

“Having the opportunity to work under the eqUIP Programme showed me what is possible and what is not yet possible for sports in my country,” said Dlamini. 

“On the programme, there were people from Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, England, and Ireland. We all spoke about our different challenges, so it becomes a network of people who combine their resources and knowledge. That can only be beneficial in the long run. In terms of safeguarding, it is difficult to educate people, first and foremost because there are so many cultural factors that you have to grapple with. Organisations like Commonwealth Sport are well-versed in dealing with different cultures because they have such an expansive network, and that is where you can utilise that experience.”

Team building at the eqUIP training camp

As she continues her journey, Naledi’s commitment to safeguarding remains unwavering. Her work not only aims to protect athletes but also to create a safeguarding culture that encompasses all, from elite athletes to grassroots.

To those embarking on their eqUIP journey, Naledi offers valuable advice. “Enter the internship needing to learn. The person who knows the least is the one with the biggest advantage because you have the opportunity to absorb so much more.”

As Naledi Dlamini continues to forge ahead in her journey, her dedication to safeguarding in sports resonates not only within South Africa but across the Commonwealth and beyond. 

By advocating for athlete-centred policies and addressing cultural challenges head-on, she embodies the transformative power of programmes like eqUIP. 

Her work aims to not only protects athletes but also to foster a global community committed to safe sport practices. 

 

To find out more about the eqUIP Programme click here.