Advice for Children in Taekwondo.

This section is to help you understand where you can go for more information on how to be safe and what to do if you are worried or have any questions about anything which might be making you feel uncomfortable.

If you need to report anything you can do so by clicking on this email safeguarding@totaltaekwondo.co.uk and asking our Safeguarding officer to get in touch with you. Don’t forget to leave your name and phone number.

Here are a few questions we get asked about regularly. You can click on each one to view the answer.

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I am worried and concerned and need to talk to someone, Who should I go to? 

Taekwondo can give you lots of opportunities to meet new people and push yourself to try new things. It can make you fitter, improve your metal health and help you to overcome new challenges.

However, if you’re worried or have any concerns about the behaviour of people towards you it is important you report this to someone. You should look to report it as soon as possible to an adult that you trust, this could be a:

• parent/guardian

• member of the coaching team at your club

• teacher

• doctor or school nurse

• Club safeguarding officer

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If you’re not comfortable talking to any of these and want to talk to someone, you can contact Childline who have lots of people who can listen and advise you on what to do next. They offer support over the phone 24/7 but also provide an online chat room where you can speak with one of their counsellors on a 1-2-1 basis.

If you are concerned and are struggling to speak to someone but have training coming up or a competition and the person who is harming you is there, make sure you are not alone. Ensure you are with an adult you can trust or even your friends.

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Mind provide a platform called Side by Side. Side by Side is a supportive online community where you can be yourself. We all know what it’s like to struggle sometimes, but now there’s a safe place to listen, share and be heard. For more information on Side by Side or to sign up, please go to Side by Side | A community platform by Mind.

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For out of hours advice / concerns please contact Childline on 0800 1111.

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People are being horrible to me on social media, What can I or should I do?

Messages sent to you which are hurtful and making you upset should be reported. You could talk to any of the people below:

• parent/guardian

• member of the coaching team at your club

• teacher

• doctor or school nurse

• Club safeguarding officer

You can also look for advice on the ‘Stop, Speak, Support’ campaign website.

‘Stop, Speak, Support’ aims to help young people spot cyberbullying and know what steps they can take to stop it happening and provide support to the person being bullied. It was designed by young people, for young people. Watch the video on YouTube.

If you think your safety is at risk, you can report a concern to safeguarding@britishtaekwondo.org

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I am being bullied and don't know what to do, Where can I get help?

We’re really sorry to hear that you are being bullied and it is affecting how much you enjoy taekwondo. Nobody has the right to hurt you or make you feel bad. Bullying can be in a range of different forms but the main ones are:

• being called names

• being teased, put down or humiliated

• being pushed or pulled about

• having money and other stuff taken

• having rumours spread about you

• being ignored and left out

• being hit, kicked or physically hurt

• being threatened or intimidated

If you feel that the above is happening to you, you should look for some support. This can be from adults, teachers, coaches and even your friends – you may not want to tell your friends the details but they can help support you when you are feeling down and help take your mind off it.

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If you feel you are being bullied and would like more information you can visit our friends at the Anti Bullying Alliance who can give you some more information on what to do if you feel like you’re being bullied. Childline also have a section on their website which can provide more support and guidance.

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You can report your concerns to them, or contact us by emailing safeguarding@Totaltaekwondo.co.uk and talk to us about what is happening and how we can help.

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My coach is being mean to me but they say it is just 'banter' what can I do?

Just because someone says it is just ‘banter’ or ‘a joke’, doesn’t make it ok. Making jokes or having banter which makes people feel upset or sad is bullying.

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Look at the tips above for information on how to deal with bullying. Banter can come under this and you shouldn’t put up with it just because someone says so.

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You should report it as soon as possible to an adult that you trust, this could be a:

• parent/guardian

• Club safeguarding officer

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I feel like I am under a lot of pressure and I am not enjoying Taekwondo like I used to, What can I do? 

Taekwondo can be a very competitive sport and you may feel pressured to perform well. This pressure could come from yourself, other competitors in your club, the coach or even your parents, but there are ways to make sure that Taekwondo stays fun.

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If you are feeling under pressure from your coach or parents, you should tell them how that pressure makes you feel. They simply may not be aware that how they are acting is making you feel pressured and this should help them realise and make them adapt their ways. There are some top tips on how to cope with pressure:

• if a bad match affects your confidence, get out there quickly and start playing again

• focus on how you thought you performed, not what anyone else thought

• give yourself time for things to get better

• if pressure keeps stopping you from enjoying it, you could try taking up a different sport or joining a different club

• remember it’s ok to tell an adult you trust about the pressure being too much.

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You should always try as hard as you can as nobody can ask anymore of you if you do. You should always be proud of your efforts. If you have performed well and you are happy with that, there is no need to compare yourself to any other competitors.

The Childline website has some great advice on how to build your confidence and self-esteem.

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