
INTRODUCTION
The protection and creation of safe spaces for children in the field of sports is a challenge that sports institutions need to tackle.
Although this issue has always been a basic part of its daily work, Athletic Club has taken a step forward in terms of child protection inside its own institution with the creation of the ATERPE (‘refuge’ in Basque) project. It is a policy that unites all the work done by the club in this field and it is known and respected by all the Club’s employees.
In addition, the club’s Child Protection Officer is laying the foundations for systematic work that will culminate in a comprehensive child protection policy, including elements of prevention, training and specific procedures, the sole purpose of which is the well-being of all the children within the organisation.
This role is ground breaking within football and sports on a national level. No other club in LaLiga and very few internationally have one. It is a clear message of institutional responsibility towards the children we work with in all of the organisation’s projects. Not only for the children in the academy football teams, but also in the Foundation, External Project and partner clubs. This innovative measure could lead the way towards comprehensive child protection in the world of sport.
Vision
All boys and girls in our lower categories, as well as anyone participating in any activity organized by our institution, must have a safe/protective space to develop their sporting practice, with adults who are aware, properly trained, and responsible for the athlete’s well-being.
Commitment
For Athletic Club, the well-being of all boys and girls in its lower categories is a top and fundamental priority.
Our commitment in this area is clear and is embodied in the creation of the ATERPE child protection policy.
Therefore, the responsibility for creating safe spaces rests with everyone in the club. The ATERPE protection policy “requires, must be known and respected” by all members of the club: Board of Directors, employees, volunteers, trainees…

- Aterpe
- 11/20/2023
Athletic Club marks World Children's Day

- Fundazioa
- 11/20/2022
Goal: STOP violence against children in sport

- Fundazioa
- 04/19/2022
Athletic Club is helping child refugees from the Ukraine War

- Club
- 04/04/2022
Athletic Club wins UEFA award for best professional club in grassroots football

- Fundazioa
- 06/09/2021
The Foundations of Athletic Club and Deporte Joven to promote the protection of children

- Club
- 04/30/2021
Success of the First Ibero-American Week for Child Protection

- Fundazioa
- 11/20/2020
Athletic Club, member of the International Safeguards for Children in Sport

- Fundazioa
- 09/30/2020
Athletic Club launches the ‘San Mamés Declaration’ in the European Week of Sport

- Lezama
- 01/22/2020
Aterpe Programme and Think Projects get together against Cyberbullying

- Club
- 10/15/2019
Aterpe project at the Basque Parliament
Objectives
- ADAPTED CODE OF CONDUCT
- SYSTEMS AND PROCEDURES FOR STAFF.
- SECTOR-SPECIFIC TRAINING.
- APPLYING SYSTEMS AND PROCEDURES FOR SPECIFIC CASES OF MALTREATMENT.
- OPERATIONAL COMMUNICATION CHANNEL.
- AUTHORISATION AND INFORMED CONSENT RECEIVED AND STORED.
- SUPPORT TO PARTNER CLUBS IN THE FORMATION AND CREATION OF A PROTECTION POLICY.
- COMMUNICATION AND CONSULTATION CHANNEL FOR QUERIES OR SPECIFIC CASES.
- SHARED RESOURCE CENTRES. TEMPLATES FOR CLUBS OR INSTITUTIONS.
- COLLABORATION WITH PUBLIC INSTITUTIONS OR ORGANISATIONS TO PROMOTE CHILD PROTECTION IN SPORT.
- CREATION OF OR PARTICIPATION IN FORUMS AND CONFERENCES ON THE SUBJECT.
Principles
The basic principles take the legislation and recommendations of various international working groups on child protection in sport into account:
- EU Work Plan for Sport 2014-17.
- The International Charter of Physical Education, Physical Activity and Sports of UNESCO (1978), the last review of which is dated November 2015
- The International Olympic Committee, Executive Commission, Consensus Statement on Sexual Harassment and Abuse dated February 2007.
- Recommendations for the protection of young athletes and safeguarding children’s rights in sport from the Groups on Good Governance of the European Commission July 2016.
- The International Olympic Committee’s Consensus Statement on: harassment and abuse (non-accidental violence) in sport.
- Guidelines for International Federations and National Olympic Committees in terms of the creation and implementation of policies to protect athletes from abuse and harm in sport.
- International Safeguards for Children in Sport from the International Group of Children in Sport. Beyond Sport Summit 2014.
- Respect for children’s rights. All children have the right to be protected from discrimination on the basis of gender, race, sexual orientation or religious belief.
- The best interests of the child and their well-being are the core principles.
- Commitment to prevention.
- Continuous training.
- Respect for the law and the requirement to comply with it (requirement of a certificate proving no prior sexual offences have been committed).
- Culture of respect. Club staff must respect minimum standards and a code of conduct that includes respect for children’s rights.
- Adequate communication: Establishment of adequate channels so that relevant figures inside the institution are made aware of situations of maltreatment or vulnerability.
- Institutional commitment: existence of a Child Protection Officer at the Club as part of the Comprehensive Care Department.
- Appropriate response in the event of a situation of vulnerability. Any possible suspicion or evidence of a situation of maltreatment will be taken seriously and responded to appropriately.
- Encouraging participation.
Contact
If you have any doubts or queries, please don't hesitate to contact us at:
- Telephone
- Email
- Address
Palacio de Ibaigane, Alameda Mazarredo, 23. 48009 Bilbao.
Independent complaints channel
Athletic Club has set up a platform which is separate from the Club's website and allows complaints to be reported with complete confidentiality and protection via this link.
Should it be a report or complaint within the scope of the Aterpe Programme's complaints channel for the protection of children in sport, the individual reponsible will immediately share it, without any preliminary evaluation, with Athletic Club's Head of Child Protection, and the Aterpe Programme's Action Protocol will be enacted. As such, reports or complaints concerning possible situations of harassment and abuse and their subsequent processing will be handled in accordance with the stipulations established in the aforementioned Protocol.