Children’s protection officer for swimming

SWIM Ireland yesterday became the second sporting organisation in the country to appoint a full-time National Children’s Officer to promote child protection and welfare.

The new officer is Kate Hills, who has been delivering Code of Ethics workshops through the Irish Sports Council since November 2002.

The appointment of a dedicated children’s officer is the latest step by Swim Ireland, renamed in 1998 in the wake of sex abuse scandals involving former coaches, to portray the sport as child-friendly.

Ms Hills is a former voluntary National Children’s Officer for the Irish Underwater Council and, according to Swim Ireland, has extensive experience of child welfare and protection issues in an aquatic environment.

Her role with Swim Ireland will focus on developing, managing and implementing the organisation’s Child Welfare Guidelines and promoting the values and structures that will ensure young people throughout Ireland can enjoy swimming at both participation and competitive levels.

“The appointment of a National Children’s Officer has been a long-term goal of Swim Ireland and we are delighted that someone of Kate’s calibre and experience is now on board,” said Swim Ireland chairman Tony Farrell.