Our Business Crime Department Associate, Dr Debbie Sayers, was delighted to be invited to speak at two key children’s international coaching events over the last week.

Debbie has a PhD in Human Rights Law and, in addition to being a solicitor, she is an experienced youth football coach and recognised leader in the field of children’s rights in sport. Debbie runs two football clubs, Salisbury Rovers FC and AFC Salisbury and she is a member of the national Children’s Coaching Collaborative and a committee member of the National Children’s Football Alliance.

The two events explored how sports can prioritise the experience of children and young people.

First, on 15 July, the International Basketball Federation reached out across sports in a unique invitation to ask Debbie to share her expertise and practice around protecting children’s rights in sport. The webinar was aimed at all European Basketball Federations.

Then, on 20 July, ICoachKidsWorld (ICK), invited Debbie to speak alongside Professor Laura Lundy of Queen’s University, Belfast about children’s rights. ICK is led by Leeds Beckett University (UK) and the International Council for Coaching Excellence and brings together Sport Ireland Coaching, the Hungarian Coaches Association, the Netherlands Olympic Committee, the European University of Madrid, Lithuanian Sport University and the Royal Belgian Football Association.

It has never been more important to provide opportunities for young people to play and develop, and Debbie was extremely proud to participate in both events.