The Law & Your Sports Club: It’s Frome Next!

Following on from the earlier event in Paulton, our free Off The Ball conference now moves to Frome!

Our innovative conference is aimed at helping officials, coaches and volunteer parents on how best to protect their local amateur sports club, their members and themselves. The conference is the initiative of our senior partner solicitor William Weller. As well as being the firm’s senior partner, Will is also a much sought after personal injury lawyer.

The event at Frome takes place at the Frome Rugby Club on Thursday 27^th February at 6pm. There is no need to book, attendees can just turn up on the evening. Free refreshments of tea, coffee and biscuits will be available. A pay bar will also be available.

‘As a firm we have always had close links to local sport,’ says Will. ‘We understand how important sport is to the local community here. We currently sponsor several local sports clubs. However, it was through my work as a personal injury lawyer that I witnessed how many club volunteers had no real idea of their personal liability and legal responsibilities. The idea of the Off The Ball conference then started to take shape. Myself and other members of the panel will be there to answer the regular questions on issues from claims arising from reckless tackles, to physical assault, the behaviour of parents and spectators, as well as the dodgy pitch.’

For Will however, the one issue in recent years that has changed the whole legal landscape is that of safeguarding and child protection.

‘We are therefore absolutely delighted to welcome as a key member of our panel, Mr Bob Fox,’ says Will. ‘Bob is a Director at the Somerset Football Association as well as their Safeguarding Champion. Bob will of course be addressing matters such as under age and DBS checks.’

‘The Frome conference is essential for anyone serious about sport, from rugby to swimming, cricket, tennis, athletics, hockey and football,’ adds Will. ‘We also expect teachers and school governors to be in attendance, learning on how to keep sports environments safe.’

Off The Ball is a free event. For further information contact Thatcher + Hallam on 01761 414646