Not too far away from us, a scandal is developing about a previously well respected sporting organisation. 25 years ago this club was perceived as the place to send your youngster if he had football talent. Despite its relatively modest position in the football hierarchy at around tier 3, it had a reputation well above that status for identifying and developing footballing talent. As is becoming clear it also had a dark side.
Amongst its coaches there was a serious paedophile who used his position to prey upon vulnerable young boys. It is only in recent days that his victims have felt secure enough to come forward and expose the extent of this man’s disgusting behaviour.

One can speculate about how this went on for so many years without coming to light. Certainly 20 or 30 years ago knowledge and understanding of child abuse was not as great amongst the general population as it is now. If you then add in the thousands of ambitious parents who thought their little Jonny was going to be the next Lineker or Charlton and who were happy to bask in the reflected glory, then you start to understand the mentality of those who chose not to believe.

Certainly around these parts there had always been a slight whiff in the air. What is concerning is the allegation of a philosophy of sweeping these things under the carpet at the club in question. They have set up an enquiry, clearly only because of the publicity that has been directed at them in the last week or so. It took one brave soul to come forward to open the floodgates and direct the spotlight on an organisation with a terrible secret. Others were then encouraged to open up about their awful experiences and suddenly we are in Saville territory.

The press certainly feel that there is an iceberg waiting to be exposed both in football and in other sports. You can bet that Grub Street’s finest are busy scouring far and wide to uncover other such scandals. Stones are being upturned in many other sports for similar scenarios. Our sport will come under as much scrutiny as any other, particularly as it has a well-established practice of taking children as young as 7 and introducing them to the game. It would be naïve to believe that with thousands of young people playing our game, there is not lurking somewhere some nefarious individuals whose agenda is more sinister
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Normally, rugby coaches do not often get the opportunity to be alone with children of a vulnerable age. For some time Rugby Union has had safeguarding regulations in place and the riches available for the successful rugby player are somewhat less than in football. But we must ensure that the processes are in place to protect youngsters from these vile creatures. Equally parents must be vigilant.

It is interesting however that should a young player show some talent and promise, one of the routes taken is the scholarship to the high reputation independent school, more often than not on a boarding basis. Away from the parental eye. If there is a scandal lurking in our sport it may there and the independent school sector has proven on many occasions to have a stronger ‘Omerta’ than football as far as sexually predatory individuals is concerned.

Rugby must brace itself for some form of mud which will inevitably come our way, but hope that the safeguards and vigilance have proved to be effective and continue to do so.