The Government of Gibraltar says it has noted the “open letter” (see below) circulated by a group of parents and coaches regarding youth rugby. 

A statement continued: “While we respect and value the passion parents have for their children’s sport, it is important to set out the facts clearly and avoid any misrepresentation of the situation. 

Safeguarding 

“Safeguarding in sport is non-negotiable. All registered associations, including the Gibraltar Rugby Football Union (GRFU), are required to have safeguarding-trained coaches present during every session. The GSLA monitors compliance through regular checks, and safeguarding training is mandatory even for those young individuals leading GSLA summer sports programmes. Parents can therefore be assured that children participating in rugby, or in any other GSLA-managed sport, are training in a safe, structured and supervised environment. 

Facility Sharing 

“The letter refers to reductions in training hours. This is not unique to rugby. Gibraltar’s limited land area means that all sports share facilities, and sometimes temporary adjustments are unavoidable. 

• The Tercentenary Sports Hall is home to basketball, yet it also hosts volleyball, netball, futsal, badminton and even the annual Dog Show, amongst other sports and events.
• Recently, both the Tercentenary Sports Hall and Europa Sports Hall were closed to accommodate the Netball World Youth Cup, requiring all other users, including squash and darts, to adjust.
• Last weekend, the Europa Sports Complex pitch was allocated exclusively to Gibraltar Cricket, recognised members of the International Cricket Council (ICC), to meet their international obligations.
• At the same time, the Lathbury Sports Complex was in use by the Gibraltar Amateur Athletics Association (GAAA), who are members of European Athletics and World Athletics and held an athletics workshop with visiting experts.
• Football, too, has had to adapt. The return of international competition to Gibraltar, much to the delight of local supporters, as well as the success of Lincoln Red Imps in UEFA Club competitions both at U18 and senior men’s level, has led to additional home fixtures at Europa Point Stadium, further adding to scheduling pressures. 

“These examples demonstrate a simple reality: no sport in Gibraltar has exclusive rights to facilities, and all sports make sacrifices when demand is high or international obligations arise. Rugby is not being singled out. 

International Obligations 

“Many of our sporting associations are part of their respective international governing bodies. Membership strengthens local sport and provides international recognition, but it also carries obligations. These include facility requirements, competition scheduling and priority for official international fixtures. The GSLA’s role, supported by Government, is to manage these obligations fairly across all sports, ensuring Gibraltar meets its international commitments while supporting grassroots participation locally.”

The Minister for Sport, Leslie Bruzon, said: “I understand the frustrations of parents who want their children to enjoy as much training time as possible. These feelings are natural, but I must also be clear: sharing facilities is not optional in Gibraltar, it is essential. From basketball to netball to athletics, from cricket to football, every sport has had to adjust when international obligations or major events arise. Rugby is no different. 

“When our associations join their international federations, whether UEFA, ICC, European Athletics, FIBA, and many others, they accept obligations that sometimes require adjustments in how facilities are used. These commitments strengthen Gibraltar sport, but they also mean that there will be some disruption when international or major events take place. 

“I reject any suggestion that safeguarding or children’s safety is being compromised. Gibraltar has one of the most robust safeguarding frameworks in sport anywhere in Europe, and all associations, including rugby, are bound by it. 

“The Government remains fully committed to supporting rugby as part of Gibraltar’s sporting family. At the same time, we must act fairly and responsibly, ensuring that all children, across all sports, have safe and inclusive opportunities. That means every sport has to adjust when necessary. 

“We will continue to work with the GSLA, GRFU and other associations to review allocations regularly and to manage our facilities fairly, for the benefit of the entire community.” 

The open letter sent to YGTV is below:

Open Letter: Urgent Action Needed to Ensure Children’s Right to Practice Rugby Safely and Inclusively in Gibraltar

To: The Hon. Leslie Bruzon, Minister for Sport

 We, the undersigned parents of children who participate in youth rugby in Gibraltar, are writing publicly out of deep concern that our children are currently being denied a safe, sufficient, and fully inclusive opportunity to practice and enjoy their sport.

Until recently, youth rugby in Gibraltar was allocated four hours training time on Tuesday and Thursday evenings, providing children with the chance to develop safely, learn proper techniques, and experience the teamwork and inclusion that rugby uniquely provides.

However, over the next eight weeks, this 32 hours of access has been reduced to just four hours in total, with no commitment to restore previous allocations. This drastic reduction is preventing children from playing their sport safely, inclusively, and regularly.

This situation falls short of the physical, developmental, and safeguarding standards that the Government of Gibraltar has repeatedly committed to uphold, both in policy and in practice. It also restricts access to a sport that prides itself on being 100% inclusive, welcoming all genders, abilities, and backgrounds.

Your government and the GSLA have made commendable commitments to safe and inclusive access to sport for all children, including:

GSLA Safeguarding Children and Young People in Sport and Leisure

The GSLA’s safeguarding workshop exists to ensure “coaches and leaders identify and recognise the key principles of good coaching practice, recognise and respond to signs and indicators of child abuse, and identify appropriate action if misconduct or abuse are suspected.”

(gsla.gi)

Youth Service Mission and Values

The Youth Service commits to “creating safe, welcoming spaces for young people from all backgrounds,” grounded in the principle of Equal Opportunities.

(gibraltar.gov.gi)

Budget 2025 Statement (Sport)

It was stated that “All GSLA staff complete safeguarding training… ensuring that children and young people thrive in a safe environment.”

(gibraltar.gov.gi)

GSLA Community Use Scheme

The Government has confirmed that “high-quality sporting facilities are made available for community use via the GSLA’s Community Use Scheme, inviting locally registered sports clubs and associations to book them for their activities.”

(gibraltar.gov.gi)

These policies show that Gibraltar recognises every child’s right to participate safely and equally in sport, not only in principle, but through fair access to facilities, inclusive opportunities, and safeguarding practice.

The reality for children playing rugby in Gibraltar at present, is that these rights are not being fulfilled.

The reduction in training allocation has effectively removed regular, structured, and safe access to rugby for children. This loss of training time prevents them from developing key physical, technical, and social skills and deprives them of the inclusive and team-based environment rugby provides.

Rugby is one of Gibraltar’s most inclusive sports, boys and girls train together where appropriate, children of all abilities participate equally, and values such as teamwork, respect, and discipline are embedded in every session. Restricting access undermines these values and contradicts the government’s own policies on inclusion and safeguarding.

We are also deeply concerned that the limited training time now available at Europa is directly affecting pupils’ education. Several students studying Physical Education at GCSE level are relying on rugby as one of their assessed sports. Without sufficient training opportunities and access to film their GCSE practical assessment videos, these pupils face the very real risk of being unable to complete their coursework, unfairly impacting their academic progress and results.

Beyond the educational issue, the situation raises safeguarding concerns. With little or no structured time available, children may attempt to train informally or outside approved venues, precisely the kind of unsafe environment the GSLA’s own safeguarding policies seek to prevent.

 We therefore respectfully call for an urgent review of facility and time allocations for youth rugby. An immediate restoration and expansion of safe, supervised access hours so that rugby players, a fully inclusive group, enjoy the same right to practise as other sports.

And a joint meeting between the Ministry, GSLA, GRFU, and parent representatives to agree a fair, sustainable, and educationally sound solution that reflects the government’s stated safeguarding and inclusion commitments. We urge that this meeting take place at the earliest opportunity, ideally within the next two weeks, so that this matter can be resolved before the winter term continues, and GCSE video submission deadlines pass.

 We appreciate that Gibraltar has made admirable progress in building a culture of youth sport, inclusion, and safeguarding. We simply ask that these same principles be applied fairly to those who play rugby.

We are confident that, with your support, we can restore regular, safe, structured, and fully inclusive rugby sessions for Gibraltar’s young players, in keeping with the values and commitments of your own departments.

Thank you for your time and attention. We look forward to your public response.

Parents of Gibraltar’s Youth Rugby Players

(on behalf of all affected children and families)

And coaches below

Ronnie Gache

Piers Watson

Chris Lugnani

Jay Lara

Nick Navas

Paul Gabay

Adrian Thomas

Leo Judkins

Stephen Brad

Ed Rudd

Luke Walsh

Mark Casciaro

Tom Tunbridge

Jason Spencer-Brown

Paul Hughes

Jona Cruz

Sam Yeo

Spencer Jooste