Hearts of Teddlothian welcomes a new look Welfare and Safeguarding team for the 2024-25 season. Augusta (Gus) Samuel has stepped into the role of Club Welfare Officer, vacated by Alex McGhee after three seasons in the job.
Welfare and safeguarding is at the core of everything the Football Association does all across the game. Hearts have taken the matter very seriously for a number of years, and despite the huge number of players and parents who are involved with the Club, it has achieved an enviable reputation across Middlesex and the East Berkshire Football Alliance.
Gus Samuel has a well-established reputation in the education sector. She has two children playing for the Club so will hopefully be a familiar face and remain so for years to come. Gus will be supported in the Welfare role by her husband Josh Samuel.
The Welfare team is bolstered in number by the addition of Rachael King, who will also be responsible for verifying DBS applications and renewals. She has a successful career in HR and People & Culture roles and now focusses much of her work on children. Rachael has a son in the U11s; Alex Fell who will be the first point of contact for the Girls Section, the first time Hearts have had a dedicated welfare officer for the girls; Jo Compton who will be first point of contact for U9s and U13s and brings a wealth of experience to the role from primary education and scouting; Jessica Antill who teaches at The Pavilion Montessori on the Broom Road Rec, completes the new team.
Parents, whether actively involved in football as coaches or simply as spectators, and, most importantly, children should always speak with the Club's Welfare Officers about any concern, however big or small. It is often difficult for a club the size of Hearts, and playing at different "homes" without a central Clubhouse, to spread the safeguarding message. But parents and players should be aware that the support is always available, not just on a Saturday.
Neil Sinclair, who has been the Welfare and Safeguarding lead at Hearts of Teddlothian for over 10 years, says the new team is a significant landmark for the community club. "Hearts has had very few safeguarding or welfare issues during my involvement with the Club, I'm pleased to say. However, we should have a safeguarding officer for every eight teams and this is the first season where we have achieved that." Neil will continue to assist the new team while also working with Middlesex FA and verifying DBS applications across the County.