What must a club do when it appoints coaches and staff?

From the GSA Safe Sport (Safeguarding) briefing (November 2025), affiliated clubs must:

• Vet every coach and other person (staff or volunteer) in regular contact, defined as more than once a month, with children, young people, people with mental or physical disabilities and other vulnerable adults.
• Require prospective coaches and full-time staff to submit a clear criminal record check (SAPS AFIS/Afiswitch check or SAPS clearance).
• Because the Child Protection Register check takes time, obtain an affidavit (signed before a commissioner of oaths or police) that the person has never been convicted of a sexual offence against a child or vulnerable adult, and that their name is not in Part B of the National Child Protection Register as unsuitable to work with children. GSA provides a template.
• Get two references for each employee, on the official GSA Employee Referee Form.
• Appoint a registered, trained Safe Sport Officer/Coordinator, have their own safeguarding policy, and make sure everyone knows how to raise concerns.