Respect - For everyone in the rugby family, the wider community and yourself
Integrity - Being open and honest in what we do, on and off the pitch
Inclusivity - Welcoming different backgrounds, abilities and views, and working together
Fun - Keeping rugby a source of enjoyment for every player
Excellence - Striving to be the best we can be, as players and as a club

This page tells you who to contact, how to raise a concern, what happens next, and the standards we hold ourselves to. If anything here is unclear, or you need it in a different format, please contact our Club Welfare Officer.

Our Club Welfare Officer (CWO) is your first point of contact for any welfare or safeguarding matter, large or small. She is supported by the Leinster Branch and the IRFU.

Club Welfare Officer
Karen Mooney | 

Leinster Branch Welfare Officer
Billy Phelan | billy.phelan@leinsterrugby.ie

IRFU National Safeguarding Officer

Stephen Gore | safeguarding@irfu.ie

Not a safeguarding matter? Questions about selection, fixtures, fees or membership should go to the relevant coach, section convenor or the Club Secretary at [ADD]. If you are unsure which route fits, ask the CWO: no concern is too small to raise.


How to raise a concern

If something worries you, tell us. You do not need proof, and you will never be criticised for raising a concern in good faith.

A concern might be something a child or adult tells you, something you see or hear, a change in a player's behaviour, a coach or volunteer acting inappropriately, bullying, or worrying contact online. Harm to children can take the form of neglect, emotional abuse, physical abuse or sexual abuse.

1. If someone is in immediate danger, call the Gardaí on 999 or 112. Then tell the CWO.

2. If a child tells you something, listen calmly. Reassure them they were right to tell you. Do not ask leading questions, and do not promise to keep it secret: explain that you will need to tell someone whose job is to help.

3.  Write it down as soon as you can. Record what was said in the person's own words, what you saw, the date and time, and sign it. Stick to facts.

4. Tell the CWO the same day. Contact Karen Mooney on 087 911 6995. Do not discuss the matter with others at the club.

5. If the CWO is unavailable or involved, contact Billy Phelan, Leinster Branch Welfare Officer (billy.phelan@leinsterrugby.ie), or the IRFU at safeguarding@irfu.ie.

You can always contact Tusla (053 919 8134) or the Gardaí yourself, at any stage.

If you are a mandated person
Some professionals, such as teachers, nurses, doctors, social care workers and Gardaí, are mandated persons under the Children First Act 2015. If you hold that role in your working life, your legal duty to report to Tusla applies whenever you have a reportable concern, including one that arises through rugby. If you make such a report, please also inform the IRFU Mandated Person at safeguarding@irfu.ie.

The club's safeguarding arrangements are set out in three core documents, each approved by the Executive Committee and available to every member and parent.

Child Safeguarding Statement 2026–27 LINK
Our statement under the Children First Act 2015: how we keep children safe, who the Relevant Person is, and the procedures we follow. Signed by the Chair and the CWO

Safeguarding Risk Assessment LINK
Identifies potential risks of harm across recruitment, club and coaching practices, reporting, complaints, facilities, communication and general risk, and the measures in place for each

IRFU Safeguarding Policy LINK
The national policy the club has formally adopted, covering standards, procedures and responsibilities

These sit alongside the IRFU Vetting Policy, the IRFU Case Management Policy and the national Children First Guidance. Where the IRFU has not issued specific guidance, we follow Sport Ireland's safeguarding guidance.

All IRFU policies are available from our CWO or by emailing safeguarding@irfu.ie. Our implementation is checked each season against the IRFU Club Action Plan.

Everyone at Wexford Wanderers is expected to follow the IRFU Code of Conduct for their role. The codes apply at training, at matches home and away, on tour, and online.

Bullying behaviour is a breach of the IRFU Codes of Conduct, and we treat it seriously. A simple test, used by the IRFU, helps tell bullying apart from a one-off falling out. Is the behaviour:

If the answer is yes, it is bullying, whether it happens on the pitch, in the changing room or online. The IRFU asks every member to RUGBY:

Respect everyone, whatever their background or ability

Unite as a team against bullying
Give support to anyone who needs it
Be brave and speak up when you see it
You can make a difference

If you are being bullied, or see someone else being bullied, tell a coach, a parent or the CWO. It is never the fault of the person being bullied. Read the full IRFU Anti-Bullying Statement [LINK].

We support Respect Our Games, the joint campaign of the IRFU, GAA and FAI for respectful behaviour towards players, referees, coaches and spectators. On our sidelines that means positive encouragement only, no abuse of referees or opponents, and leaving the coaching to the coaches. Referees at underage games are often young people themselves: every one deserves respect.