CGF launches ‘Judy’s Legacy’ Safeguarding Programme

The Commonwealth Games Federation (CGF) today announced the launch of a safeguarding programme starting in the Americas entitled ‘Judy’s Legacy’ to advance awareness and ensure athletes, communities and vulnerable adults can participate in a safe, fair, and enjoyable environment across the Commonwealth Sport Movement.

On the occasion of International Safe Sport Day (8 August), the CGF is beginning the roll out in the Americas of what will become a Commonwealth-wide programme in honour of the late Judy Simons, building on the safeguarding aspirations of the former CGF Regional Vice President of the Americas.

Simons, who passed away in January this year, was a hugely valued member of the Commonwealth Sport family for many years and a CGF Board member from 2019.

The CGF will work with the seven Commonwealth Games Associations (CGAs) in the region over an initial six-month period to explore, co-create and implement the programme, looking at CGAs’ existing practices and needs to create appropriate resources & training for CGAs, teams and nationals sport federations with a specific focus on prevention efforts.

CGF President Chris Jenkins said, ”Judy Simons’ dedication and service were an inspiration to all, and she was passionate about ensuring that all voices within her region were heard, and this was at the forefront of what she set out to achieve in safeguarding in sport. In tribute to her trailblazing work, we are setting out an ambitious safeguarding programme for the Commonwealth Sport Movement with the goal to increase awareness of safeguarding amongst our communities and athletes, and improving safeguarding accessibility by developing resource and training tools adaptable for various CGA internal environments including CGA programmes, Games Teams, and National Federations.”

Claire Carver-Dias, CGF Regional Vice-President for the Americas, said ”The CGAs in the Americas will be at the heart of this pilot project in conjunction with the CGF, and I am sure we can each bring our own expertise and experiences in developing this safeguarding programme for the Commonwealth Sport Movement.”

At the culmination of the pilot programme, recommendations will be put forward for a Commonwealth-wide roll out of safeguarding resources and support for CGAs.

Safe Sport Day is celebrated annually on 8 August, a date designated by the International Advisory Board of the International Safeguards for Children in Sport. The initiative is a coalition of more than 100 sports organisations united in one cause: working to promote and implement the eight safeguards outlined in the project, to ensure that all children have access to safe sport.

The CGF recognises the importance of safeguarding and is committed to working towards the creation of a safe sport environment at all levels. The CGF Safeguarding Policy ratified in June 2022 aims to set a framework to protect all individuals connected with the CGF, in particular children and adults at risk, including adult athletes, from any type of harm and/or abuse when they come into contact with the CGF or are engaged in activities connected to the CGF.

Find out more about the CGF Safeguarding Policy here.

About the Commonwealth Games Federation

The Commonwealth Games Federation (CGF) is the organisation with responsibility for the direction and control of the Commonwealth Games and Commonwealth Youth Games, and for delivering the vision of the Commonwealth Sport Movement: ‘Our Commonwealth, united through sport’.

Our mission is to deliver inspirational and impactful Games; to excite and empower athletes and young people; and to drive equality in sport and society across the Commonwealth.

Established in 1930, the Commonwealth Sport Movement brings together 74 independent nations and territories creating a diverse Commonwealth community of over 2.5 billion individuals, representing one-third of the world’s population. Together we stand as a beacon of unity, diversity, and equality, completely integrating Para athletes, driving gender equality and advocating for legacy and social change through sport.