Health, Safety & Wellbeing Policy

Statement of Intent

ADL is committed to ensuring the health, safety, and physical/mental wellbeing of all young participants, employees, sub-contractors, chaperones, and volunteers involved in our international sports scholarships, pathways, showcases, trials, and development programmes. We recognise that operating high-performance sports activities and international travel introduces unique risks, and strive to maintain high safety standards, mitigate physical risks, and foster a supportive environment that prioritises athletic recovery and psychological wellbeing.

Key Responsibilities

• —ADL Board & Leadership - ultimate responsibility for policy implementation, securing adequate travel/medical insurance, resourcing safety equipment, and annual policy review.
• —Health, Safety & Wellbeing Lead - conducts comprehensive risk assessments, oversees emergency response plans, monitors injury protocols, and manages medical data.
• —Tour Leaders / Head Coaches - execute day-to-day dynamic risk assessments during travel, maintain first-aid coverage, enforce safety rules, and monitor participant wellbeing.
• —Participants & Staff - expected to take reasonable care of their own safety, follow instructions, and report hazards or injuries immediately.

1. Risk Assessment Protocol

ADL conducts structured risk assessments for all travel routes, accommodation sites, training facilities, and match venues prior to departure, and on-site leads continuously evaluate real-time factors such as extreme weather, heat indices, pitch conditions, and local security alerts.

2. Physical Safety & Medical Preparedness

• —First aid coverage - every international squad or showcase group is accompanied by at least one certified First Aider with a fully stocked mobile medical kit.
• —Comprehensive travel & sports insurance covering high-performance sports play, emergency medical evacuation, and repatriation.
• —Emergency medical authorisations - parents/carers complete medical consent forms outlining conditions, allergies, medications, and emergency treatment permissions before travel.

3. Athlete Wellbeing & Mental Health Support

• —Preventing overuse & fatigue - training and match schedules include mandatory rest periods, hydration, and nutrition plans to mitigate burnout, heat illness, and overuse injuries.
• —Concussion & head injury protocol - a strict "if in doubt, sit them out" policy; any suspected concussion results in immediate removal from play and professional medical evaluation.
• —Psychological safety - staff are trained to monitor young athletes for signs of homesickness, anxiety, or acute stress during overseas trials, with access to designated support channels.

4. Incident Reporting

Any accident, injury, illness, or near-miss receives immediate first aid and medical attention, with parents/carers and ADL's Safety Lead notified within 4 hours. A formal incident report is completed within 24 hours, and the relevant risk assessment or training protocol is reviewed and adjusted.

Emergency Response

In a severe medical emergency, physical injury, or safety incident during an international placement, local emergency services must be dialled immediately (999 UK / 911 US / 112 Europe) before any administrative notifications.