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London City Lionesses Join Play Safe 2025
- samwraight
- Sep 28
- 3 min read
Updated: Sep 29
This weekend, football clubs across the country once again united to shine a light on the importance of safeguarding, as part of The FA’s Play Safe Weekend (27–28 September 2025).
The Play Safe campaign, endorsed by the NSPCC and supported at every level of the game – from the Premier League and Barclays Women’s Super League to grassroots football – reminds us all of the vital role we play in protecting and empowering young people in sport.
This year’s theme, “Small Talk is Bigger Than You Think”, focuses on giving children a voice. The campaign calls on every adult in football to create safe spaces for open conversations, to ask questions, and to actively listen – because sometimes the most powerful safeguarding begins with the simplest of questions.
What We’re Doing at London City Lionesses
At London City Lionesses, safeguarding is not just a weekend initiative – it’s at the heart of our culture, our Academy, and our community programmes.
Across this Play Safe weekend:
Our players will wear Play Safe captain’s armbands to show their support.
The Play Safe banner will be on display at Academy fixtures.
Coaches and staff will share the Play Safe message with young players and parents, reinforcing that safeguarding is everyone’s responsibility.
We’re encouraging all parents and carers to complete The FA’s free online safeguarding awareness course. It takes just 25 minutes and provides valuable insight into creating safer spaces for children.
Throughout the year at London City Lionesses, we:
Deliver regular safeguarding training for staff, players, and volunteers.
Provide clear safeguarding contacts across the Club and Academy so concerns can be raised quickly and confidentially.
Carry out safer recruitment processes, including enhanced DBS checks for all staff and volunteers.
Run wellbeing check-ins and player support sessions across the Club.
Maintain open channels of communication between players, coaches, and safeguarding officers to ensure a safe and supportive culture.
By championing safeguarding at every level of the Club, we’re ensuring that every player, staff member, and supporter feels safe, valued, and empowered.
Voices from Our Safeguarding Leads
Keely Nash, Club Safeguarding and Welfare Officer, said:
“Play Safe is about making sure every voice is heard, every concern is taken seriously, and every young person knows they are supported. At London City Lionesses, safeguarding isn’t just a policy – it’s part of who we are. By paying attention to the little things and encouraging honest conversations, we can create an environment where players feel safe to thrive on and off the pitch.”
Emily Reece, Academy Safeguarding and Welfare Officer, said:
“Safeguarding can begin with a conversation, a simple ‘How was your day?’. We encourage all parents and staff to ask questions, create spaces for open conversation and actively listen to children. Not just over the Play Safe weekend but beyond. By creating a connected culture we can give young people a voice and listen for a big message hidden in the small talk. Safeguarding is everyone’s responsibility. Let’s work together to make the game ever safer for Everyone, Everywhere and Every Time. Thank you for playing your part.”
A Collective Effort
The FA’s Play Safe campaign reminds us that safeguarding is a shared responsibility, Everyone, Everywhere, Every Time. Whether you’re a coach, a parent, a volunteer, or a supporter, your actions matter.
As part of the football community, we are proud to support Play Safe 2025 and to continue our commitment to making football safe, inclusive, and enjoyable for all.
If you have any questions about safeguarding at London City Lionesses, please email: safeguarding@londoncitylionesses.com