The Bermuda Football Association and the Bermuda Football Coaches Association are collaborating with Saving Children and Revealing Secrets (Scars) to help safeguard the youth of Bermuda.

The BFA's coach-licensing policy, which came into effect last month, requires all coaches to have completed Scars training to help reduce the risk of child sexual abuse in youth football and the local community.

The policy also requires coaches have received formal coaching education, as well as first aid and defibrillator training.

Last week the BFCA hosted a Scars programme at CedarBridge Academy to help coaches meet the criteria for the new season. A total of 55 coaches completed the seminar and are now Scars certified.

Richard Todd, the president of the BFCA, has commended the BFA for taking steps to include child welfare as a part of its coach licence certification.

“The BFA have taken steps to help ensure that we can reduce and eliminate the dangers of child sexual abuse,” Todd said.

“Many of those attending the training seminar will do so because it is required in order to meet the criteria to coach, but they will leave with better knowledge to help protect our children and be informed with how they can, and should, intervene if they recognise the signs of abuse.

“It also sends a strong message to would-be offenders that they are not welcomed and we will be vigilant in our programmes.”

The training seminar was led by Debi Ray-Rivers, the founder of Scars Bermuda, and presenter Anton Gilbert.

Ray-Rivers said: “The BFA is raising the bar by mandating prevention training for all coaches and by enhancing licensing requirement standards. The BFCA is helping to facilitate that coaches who attend their education courses and programmes are provided the opportunity, with scheduling of the training for them to attend.”

Attending the seminar was Mark Wade, the BFA president, who renewed his Scars certification.

“It was good to partner with Scars and the BFCA to help coaches meet the requirements for obtaining a Bermuda FA coaching licence,” Wade said.

“The 55 coaches in attendance were provided with tools that will be useful within football and in their everyday lives.”

Coaches who need to complete the required Scars training to meet certification standards, call Scars at 297-2277. For more details visit www.scarsbermuda.com