Do I need a PVG to coach juniors?
Rule- Scotland
- Netball Scotland
- Junior netball
- Under 9 to Under 17
- Thistle Mark
- PVG
- 2026/27
- Coaches
Yes. It's a legal requirement that anyone regularly working with under-18s is a member of the PVG (Protecting Vulnerable Groups) scheme. Netball Scotland also requires them to complete the Child Wellbeing and Protection in Sport (CWPS) module.
The law tightened in 2025 under the Disclosure (Scotland) Act:
- From 1 April 2025, PVG membership became a legal requirement for regulated roles.
- From 1 July 2025, it's a criminal offence for anyone to do a regulated role without being a PVG member. It's also an offence for an organisation to offer a regulated role to someone who isn't a member.
- The penalty is up to 5 years' imprisonment, a fine up to the statutory maximum, or both. Disclosure Scotland reports suspected offences to the police.
In practice, your club must make sure you have your PVG before you start coaching.
Added 21 Oct 2026