WSA appoints Sian Jones as new Safeguarding Manager to lead innovative Member service
The Welsh Sports Association (WSA) is pleased to announce the appointment of Sian Jones as its new Safeguarding Manager. Sian joins the WSA from the Football Association of Wales (FAW), bringing extensive experience to lead the organisation’s new Safeguarding Plus service.
In this role, Sian will be responsible for delivering safeguarding services to a select group of WSA members, primarily National Governing Bodies in the sports sector. Safeguarding Plus is designed to offer tailored support on all safeguarding matters and is aligned with the Ann Craft Trust’s safeguarding roadmap for adults and the Child Protection in Sport Unit (CPSU) standards for child safeguarding.
Sian brings over a decade of experience in safeguarding and player care, with a strong background in law. During her time at the FAW, Sian played a pivotal role in managing the national DBS program, establishing a Safeguarding Case Management Panel, developing and delivering safeguarding training, and implementing policies. She also built and led a dedicated team to support these efforts.
Throughout her career, Sian has been at the forefront of key safeguarding initiatives, including embedding safeguarding within the high-performance pathway. She has represented UEFA on a Council of Europe project focused on eradicating sexual violence against children in sport and leveraged the influence of football to address critical issues such as domestic violence, misogyny, and violence against women and girls.
Upon her appointment, Sian said:
“I am hugely excited for my new challenge of joining the WSA and using my knowledge and experience to have a really positive impact on the sporting sector in Wales, ultimately making it safer for everyone.”
WSA CEO Andrew Howard commented:
“We are delighted to welcome someone of Sian’s calibre to lead the WSA’s safeguarding services. Safeguarding is a critical aspect of any organization’s operations, and with Safeguarding Plus, we aim to streamline and enhance these processes for our members. Sian’s extensive expertise and her pivotal role at the FAW over the past decade make her the ideal person to lead this new service. We are thrilled to have her on board.”
The introduction of Safeguarding Plus aligns with WSA’s Strategic Plan, which commits to offering five Membership Plus services by 2025. This new service becomes the fourth, joining Finance, Advocacy, and Content & Comms.
Click here for further information on Safeguarding Plus, or get in contact with the team!
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