5.4 What is jurisdiction?

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This image represents various sports and athletic activities. The image contains six square icons, each depicting a different sport or physical activity. One icon shows an oval track for running. Another icon shows an athlete holding up a javelin ready to throw it. There is an icon of a shot-putter ready to throw. A running icon displays an athlete mid-stride in full speed. Another icon is of an athlete running over hurdles. Gymnastics is depicted by an athlete performing in the high jump.

Jurisdiction is a term used to describe who has the power to make decisions or judgements.

It is particularly important in safeguarding in sport because:

• Sport activities can take place around the world, with athletes from different countries.
• There is often a hierarchy in sport – from a local club, to a national governing body, to an international federation – and they will all have different jurisdictions.
• Even in sport for development organisations or grassroots clubs, you might have a parent organisation, or be a member of a league that has some jurisdiction over your activities.

Receiving a safeguarding concern

When you receive a safeguarding concern, you need to decide: Whose rules apply? How will they be applied? Who will apply them?

Sometimes this may mean passing the concern on to another organisation to manage.

Whatever you decide, it's important to make your decision promptly – and in the next section you will explore why that is important.