We take a system-based approach, with a focus on prevention
For workplace cultures that promote healthy relationships and challenge harmful behaviour, everyone has to be on board. This means we have training aimed at everyone, from senior team players, coaches and support staff and wider organisational staff (such as academy staff and HR) right through to the Board of Directors and senior leadership.
Our offers include:
- Football Onside (6 hours)
- Bystander at Work (4 hours)
- Healthy Relationships (1-2 hours)
- Bespoke training
Football Onside
Football Onside* is the first evidence-led bystander intervention programme in the UK designed for sporting professionals.
The training equips sporting professionals to be ‘active bystanders’ and positive role models who can intervene safely and effectively when they witness unacceptable behaviours – from sexist jokes or demeaning “locker-room” banter through to more severe harms. It also trains participants to better notice risk and to safely receive disclosures and refer appropriately.
A recent study by Dr Anastasiia Kovalenko and Dr Rachel Fenton was published in the Journal of Interpersonal Violence. The study shows how specialist training helps change attitudes. Researchers demonstrate how coaches can be positive role models who promote respectful attitudes and actions towards women.
“This was one of the best training courses that I have attended. I have recommended that this course is rolled out across Fulham FC Foundation and would ensure that this was mandatory for all staff (in particular coaches). I would most certainly recommend this course.” – Fulham FC Foundation Staff
“Taking part in this programme gave us the opportunity to arm our staff, volunteers and partners with the skills and information they need to intervene if they find themselves in a situation where inappropriate language or behaviours are observed.” – Jamie Vittles, CEO, Exeter CITY Community Trust
*Football Onside was developed by experts from the University of Exeter Law School in collaboration with Exeter CITY Community Trust and supported by partners Public Health England, Devon County Council, Devon Rape Crisis and Sexual Abuse Services, Hollie Gazzard Trust and Plymouth Argyle FC.
Healthy Relationships and Consent Training
For: Senior teams, U21s, U18s
Our Healthy Relationships workshops aren’t your usual consent-by-PowerPoint affair. They are dynamic, conversation-based, non-judgemental spaces offering the chance for critically reflective conversations about sex, relationships and masculinity. They are delivered by expert male facilitators and aim to equip athletes to practice consent skilfully – avoiding risk to them, their romantic partners, and the club.
Bystander at Work
For: Board of Directors and Senior Leadership Teams
Aimed specifically at those with responsibility for setting organisational culture, and rooted in our evidence-based Bystander at Work training, this offer aims to deepen knowledge of leadership, power and privilege as well as equip skills to notice and challenge everyday behaviours in the workplace that enable violence against women and girls.
Bespoke Leadership
For: Support staff, leadership roles
This offers participants an introduction to our approach to prevention, linking ‘lower level’ behaviour, such as sexist jokes, to ‘higher level’ harms, such as sexual assault and asking participants to think critically about workplace culture. Aimed at coaches and senior team support staff, it outlines both the business and moral case for the Healthy Relationships and Consent training, as well as an introductory framework to the practice of active bystander intervention.
