Email – p.burney@tees.ac.uk
Patrick’s role is funded by Sport England and is a national project of 63 officers spread out across the country, working with key partners such as NSPCC Sport and the Ann Craft Trust as well as the National Governing Bodies of multiple sports.
His role is to provide local assistance to clubs in meeting their safeguarding responsibilities, and to provide opportunities for knowledge and skills development. He can signpost clubs to relevant advice and guidance and can provide local, tailored support. Patrick is creating a network of Club Welfare Officers to help share what activities and training they are taking part in, as well as additional training from the Welfare Officers in the North East. This network will also allow those responsible for safeguarding to provide support and guidance to each other across multiple sports. The aim is to create a culture of good practice in sport, where basic safeguarding principles are well-known and take place regularly as part of the everyday running of clubs.
Through his previous role as Lead Matchday Coordinator at Newcastle United Academy, in addition to his responsibilities as a Director of Hummersknott Badminton Club and Child Welfare Officer at Richmond Badminton Club, he has developed extensive experience in the operations, safeguarding and event management.
In his role as Director of Hummersknott Badminton Club, he has been responsible for the planning and coordinating of multiple international tours to over 37 countries in Europe, North America and the Middle East. To achieve this, he has developed excellent communication, organisation, liaison and planning skills, and has experience working with team managers and local dignitaries around the world.