On World Children’s Day, both institutions are committed to safeguarding and protecting the minors that form part of their projects and also vindicate the right of children all over the world to be protected from any type of violence
The Athletic Club Foundation and the Rafa Nadal Foundation make public their commitment to the fight for the protection of minors from any type of violence in the sporting sphere.
The Rafa Nadal Foundation has decided to join forces with the Athletic Club Foundation through its Aterpe programme, a pioneer in the world of elite sport.
Within the framework of this commitment, all the professionals of the Rafa Nadal Foundation have received training sessions related to the protection and good treatment of minors given by Iñaki Alonso, head of child protection at the Athletic Club Foundation. The aim of these sessions is to prevent, raise awareness and know the protocols for action in the event of any need.
Within the Organic Law 8/2021, of 4 June, on the comprehensive protection of children and adolescents against violence, for the first time in history, several sections are contemplated that affect the world of sport and its agents (institutions, federations, clubs, entities, professionals, volunteers).
Making an ethical and legal commitment to the protection and good treatment of children is an obligation for institutions, clubs and people involved in sport.
According to Iñaki Alonso, head of child protection at the Athletic Club Foundation: “Sport should be a space of well-being, happiness and freedom for children. It is a tool that is fundamental for the integral development of children, and that can be used appropriately or inappropriately. The public institutions that govern sport, sports institutions, clubs, sports leaders, and the adults who surround children in their sports practice, have the responsibility to use this tool correctly”.
Eunate Gómez, head of projects at the Rafa Nadal Foundation says: “At the Rafa Nadal Foundation we are very aware of and committed to guaranteeing protection against any type of violence that may affect the children we care for. We know that the sporting and social sphere has an enormous responsibility in the development of children, so we strive to offer them a safe environment so that they grow up in the best possible conditions”.
The Rafa Nadal Foundation in alliance with the Athletic Club Foundation take a firm step in the defence and protection of minors, who should always be treated as subjects of law and be alien to any type of violence in the family, social and, of course, sporting spheres.