English Table Tennis Enters a New Era: DBS Mandatory for All Roles Involving Children

From September 1, 2026, English table tennis will enter a new era for child safeguarding. The Crime and Policing Act 2026 has officially removed the "supervision exemption" from the legal definition of Regulated Activity. Previously, many volunteers and coaches working with children under the supervision of someone with a DBS (Disclosure and Barring Service) check were considered exempt from criminal record checks. This no longer applies: supervised roles will be treated the same as unsupervised ones. This represents a shock to the community table tennis system in England, where thousands of amateur clubs rely on volunteers. But to me, someone who has observed youth sports for 36 years, this is not merely an administrative procedure. It signals that the sport is genuinely prioritizing child protection, and it also provides an opportunity for the table tennis system to re-examine itself. I still remember 2026 when I was watching a regional youth tournament in Vietnam. There was a 13-year-old boy playing extremely well, but after the match, when he sat alone because his parents arrived late, I saw him cry. No one noticed that moment. Video tapes cannot capture that scene. But a child who suffers emotional harm cannot fully develop, regardless of talent. That story taught me that the safety and protection of children is an indispensable foundation for any training system. The UK Parliament's passing of the new act is not a surprise. For years, sports organizations in England have tightened child protection regulations. However, a loophole persisted: those who worked directly with children but always had another person present were deemed "supervised" and did not need a DBS check. That inadvertently created risks for the very children. Abuse in sports can occur in any environment, even when a supervisor is present. This change is a powerful statement: children must always be in absolute safety. According to an official announcement from Table Tennis England, an online webinar on this change will be held at 6:00–7:00 PM (UK time) on September 29, 2026. The session will be facilitated by Kyhl Daly, Designated Safeguarding Officer for Table Tennis England. The target audience includes Club Welfare Officers, members of club or league committees, and volunteers who regularly work with children. Participants will learn details about the new regulation, its impact on their roles, and the specific DBS processes of Table Tennis England. From a professional perspective, I see three major impacts. First, the cost and time for clubs will increase. Every new volunteer, every coach must undergo a DBS check, even those involved only a few hours per week, if they work with children. For a rural club operating on a budget of only a few hundred pounds, this could be a burden. But safety has a price. In Vietnam, I know many table tennis centers that still employ people without any child protection training whatsoever. I have repeatedly advocated for background checks and child psychology training for coaches. Many laughed at me, saying I was overreacting. But when a heartbreaking incident occurs, people realize this preparation is far from excessive. Second, the universal application of DBS checks will help elevate the quality of volunteers and coaches. When DBS requirements are expanded, those with a poor history will be stopped at the door. This mirrors how I watch video tapes—not merely counting goals. To me, a young player's worth lies not in skill but in attitude, in how that child reacts when the team loses the ball or when they make a mistake. Likewise, a safe sports organization can genuinely invest in its future. Third, this change will pressure clubs to become transparent about their personnel. Previously, a volunteer without a DBS could still work under the guise of being watched; now, every role involving children is scrutinized equally. I believe that after a transition period, the English table tennis system will operate more robustly, and every child will play in a controlled environment. Of course, there are concerns that the new regulation may reduce the number of volunteers. Some may be deterred by cost or see it as a hassle. But we need a shift in perspective. This is not a barrier; it is an investment. A clean environment will attract more parents to enroll their children, thereby expanding the talent scouting system. As I always say in coaching consultations: "The gem is not on the video tape; it lies in how the boy stands after losing the ball." Similarly, the strength of a table tennis nation is not measured by the number of medals, but by how many children are well protected. I understand that applying a new law may make many uneasy. But look at the bigger picture. When all volunteers undergo DBS checks, we reduce the risk of abuse and increase community trust. From that, society will view table tennis as a safe and responsible sport. This is more valuable than a packed arena. In Vietnam, table tennis is thriving, with many private clubs emerging. But do we have as rigorous a coach background check system as England? Not yet. This is precisely when we should look to other countries to learn. I have witnessed too many young talents stagnate due to unresolved psychological issues, lacking a trustworthy adult beside them. An academy without child protection mechanisms is like a field full of weeds: it looks green, but it will never produce solid athletes. The September 29, 2026 webinar is not merely a training session. It is an opportunity for every club to self-assess its operating procedures. I suggest that clubs send representatives to attend and be ready to update records of all staff and volunteers. This is something that should not be delayed. Life does not give you a second chance to choose safety. If you are a club welfare officer, an amateur coach, or someone considering volunteering in table tennis, I urge you to join Table Tennis England's webinar. Sign up in advance as places may be limited. You will hear directly from Kyhl Daly, the England Table Tennis lead for child safeguarding, and ask specific questions. We cannot see the future, but we can create a safe foundation for the future to unfold. Just as I always observe a boy not only in victory but also in defeat. Growth only comes through challenges. And this time, the challenge is embracing a safe environment, albeit busier. Returning to England's story, tightening DBS rules will certainly face complaints in the first few months. But look at countries that have already led the way. In Nordic countries, such requirements have existed for a long time, and they do not experience a shortage of volunteers. On the contrary, clubs with high child protection standards often have more children enrolled because parents feel at ease. The most important element is how we communicate about this change. If we tell volunteers they are under suspicion, the response will be negative. But if we say, "You are a gatekeeper of child safety," they will recognize their role's value. That perspective must be instilled across the entire system. When I look at Vietnam, I see that its most precious resource is not in modern training centers but in the young generation picking up paddles every afternoon. Protecting them does not mean confining them in a glass case; it means creating a network of responsibility with no gaps for abusers to exploit. We can learn that from England. Ultimately, the DBS story is not limited to England. It is a global reminder that junior sports can only flourish when the adults around them are genuinely trustworthy. As someone who has spent nearly four decades in the field, I believe that if we prioritize children's safety above all, talent will naturally blossom. Now, mark your calendar for the webinar. The future of our children awaits our action.