The Racquetball Association of Ireland(RAI), is fully committed to safeguarding the well being of its members.
Every individual in the RAI should at all times show respect and understanding for members rights, safety and welfare and conduct themselves in a way that reflects the principles of the Association and the guidelines contained in the
Code of Ethics and Good Practice for Children’s Sport.
The above statement is to be written into the Constitution of the Association
In the RAI our first priority is the welfare of the young people and we are committed to providing an environment which
will allow participants to perform to the best of their ability, free from bullying and intimidation.
The RAI will work closely with our clubs and individuals to ensure that best practice is followed.
All clubs who have members under 18 years of age are obliged to implement these guidelines.

Safeguarding
The Racquetball Association of Ireland has a National Children’s Officer with the primary responsibility for the development and implementation of the Association`s policies for safeguarding children within the sport.  The National Children's Officer (NCO) is available to help and support all members with the implementation of the Code of Ethics & Good Practice for Children in Sport. The NCO will be available  to assist Clubs in following the policies and procedures and is available should any difficulties arise.

Vetting

Who is required to be vetted?
Garda vetting is now required by law for all persons who will have unsupervised access to/work with children/vulnerable adults on a regular basis.
Regular basis is defined as where the same individual supervises/has contact with children at least once a week, 4 times a month or over-night.
Individuals who must be vetted are those applying for positions including but not limited to the following:

• Club/National Children’s Officer ·
  
• Club Junior Coach 
  
• National Junior Team Coach
  
• Junior Development Officer
  
• Parental supervision where the same individual parent supervises children one or more times a week,  4 times a month or over-night.
  
• Committee member(s)/Team Manager /Chaperone with access to children/vulnerable adults one or  more times a week, 4 times a month or over-night.
  
• Club/National Junior tournaments/event’s organiser ·
  
• Other personnel as may be considered
  

When is an individual required to be vetted?
All the above required positions must be successfully vetted before an individual is legally allowed to take up their chosen position(s).
It is now an offence to coach/have regular contact with children/vulnerable adults without being vetted before commencing the activities/events.  Garda Vetting approval from other  organisations does not cover you for Racquetball Ireland, therefore you must reapply for vetting through Racquetball Ireland.
How to apply for vetting? 

• ·Fill in the E-Vet I.D Verification form and ensure all fields are completed and legible.
• ·Get form signed by I.D Verifier. A Verifier can be any member on the current Racquetball Association of Ireland Committee or a Racquetball coaching course tutor (See http://www.racquetball-ireland.com/RAIExco.htm) or signed and stamped at a Garda Station by a member of An Garda Siochána. 
• ·Return the E-Vet ID form to the current Liaison person stated at the end of the form and ensure  copies of I.D verification documents are included.
• ·Liaison person enters the data which creates an invitation. The invitation is a link sent by e-mail, allowing applicants to complete their vetting application.
• ·The link is active for 30 days. The applicant must complete the form in one sitting and has a maximum of one hour to complete each page in the application.
• ·Once application is completed and reviewed, the application is sent to the NVB (National Vetting Bureau) for processing. Once application process is completed, a disclosure is sent back to Racquetball Ireland.
• ·Once Racquetball Ireland open the disclosure,  an email is sent to the applicant saying the vetting application is complete.
• ·The applicant is then notified whether it is a successful application or a further enquiry is required.

The disclosure is made available to applicant on request.

What do I need to apply?

• ·E-Vet I.D Verification form
• ·Identification documents that includes applicants current address, at least one form of photographic and all pieces add up to a score of at least 100 points

Vetting young people under the age of eighteen
Any individual under eighteen years of age in Ireland and applying for any of the required positions must  undergo vetting prior to taking up the position(s). Any person under eighteen years of age completing a vetting  application must obtain the permission of their parent/guardian and complete a parent/guardian consent form.

Re-vetting individuals
All individuals vetted from 1stJanuary 2015 will undergo re-vetting after three years or as determined by Racquetball Ireland as required by future circumstances. All individuals vetted previous to this date will be issued with a re-vetting requirement and required to be re-vetted by the 31st December 2017.
 
E-Vetting Form
Download E-Vetting Application Form HERE

​Further Information 
For more information please see Racquetball Ireland Vetting Policy or see https://vetting.garda.ie/Help/FAQ

Racquetball Association of Ireland Child Safeguarding Statement

​Safeguarding Guidance for Children & Young People in Sport

Staying Safe Online

Sport Ireland Code of Ethics Pages
​
RAI Code of Ethics & Good Practice for Children in Sport
​(Click on the image to Download)