Stef Collins Appointed as British Basketball's Duty of Care Ambassador - Hoopsfix.com

Stef Collins Appointed as British Basketball’s Duty of Care Ambassador

Stef Collins has been named the British Basketball Federation’s ‘Duty of Care Guardian’, being responsible for ensuring that players and staff are looked after as they compete for their country.

Great Britain’s most-capped international of the modern era is to take on the new role as British Basketball looks to extend its responsibility to its players and staff.

Collins, who is already on British Basketball’s board of directors, will lead the process to give all those involved a voice in the programme, which expanded in 2017 to take overall responsibility for junior teams from under-16 level.

“I look forward to taking on the responsibilities within this role,” Collins said.

“As a player myself, I am determined to make sure that we look after our players and give them a chance to speak up.

“Ensuring that we understand the many diverse backgrounds of our players and staff is very important to me. Our policy reflects that priority and we can deliver on this.”

It comes after the programme has received much criticism over the years for a lack of communication and a distinct disconnect between the federation and players during the season.

The BBF says the hiring is in line with the “Transforming Basketball in Britain” strategy which outlined “a collaborative culture with all partners to provide the environment required” to create a single unifying vision for the game.

In direct response to Dame Tanni-Grey Thompson’s Government-commissioned review, British Basketball has approved a Duty of Care policy and action plan which incorporates the work already undertaken over the last year with the FIBA Timeout programme.

Additionally, an independent process for consultation and whistleblowing will be established, whilst the federation say induction sessions will commence with new players and staff, with parents invited for players under-18. Not only that, but ‘selection and deselection criteria will be made transparent’, while there will be an independent presence during selection and appeals processes.

The BBF has signed the Sport and Recreation Alliance’s “Mental Health Charter” and will strengthen our links with NHS mental health teams. In addition, they will consider the separation of medical services within our performance department, to ensure that medical advice cannot be compromised.

British Basketball chief executive Lisa Wainwright commented:

“It is a pleasure to see Stef appointed to the role, which will build on our work in this area. We want to ensure that the voices of players and staff are heard throughout the organisation.

“Our policy is the right one especially in the current climate and ensuring its delivery will be one of our key tasks in the future.”

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