Vehicle Safety Protocols for MATCH/Training Sessions

In Memory of Poppy Atkinson

Background and Context

On 5 March 2025, our football family suffered an unimaginable loss when Poppy Atkinson was tragically killed during a training session at Kendal Rugby Club. Poppy was a beloved member of our Kendal United under-12 girls team and represented the county under-12 squad. She was passionate about football, determined to become a professional player, and brought joy to everyone who knew her.

The tragic accident occurred when a vehicle accidentally entered the training pitch area, resulting in Poppy’s death and injuries to another child. This devastating incident has prompted us to take immediate action to prevent such tragedies from happening again.

Following extensive consultation with Poppy’s family and our club community, we have developed these mandatory safety protocols. These measures are implemented in Poppy’s memory and with the full support of her family, who share our commitment to ensuring no other family experiences such heartbreak.

One child is one too many!

MANDATORY VEHICLE SAFETY PROTOCOLS

All parents, carers, and guardians must follow these protocols when attending matches and training sessions with their vehicle:

 

DRIVER POSITIONING

PROTOCOL: Do not sit in the driver’s seat while watching your children play

• Requirement: Move to the passenger seat or exit the vehicle entirely when watching training
• Reason: This prevents accidental vehicle movement caused by inadvertent contact with controls
• Implementation: Switch off the engine first, then move to the passenger side or stand outside the vehicle.

 

ENGINE MANAGEMENT

PROTOCOL: Do not leave your engine running during training sessions

• Requirement: Turn off the engine completely when parked near training areas
• Reason: Running engines can lead to accidental acceleration if controls are touched
• Implementation: Turn off the engine before settling in to watch the training. If you need heating or cooling, use it before parking and switch off the engine.

 

PARKING POSITION

PROTOCOL: Reverse park near pitches and training areas

• Requirement: All vehicles must be parked in reverse when near football pitches
• Reason: This allows for better visibility when leaving and reduces the risk of forward acceleration towards playing areas
• Implementation: Approach your parking space and reverse into position, ensuring your vehicle faces away from the pitch.

 

UNATTENDED OCCUPANTS

PROTOCOL: Do not leave siblings or pets unattended in vehicles during training

• Requirement: Ensure all passengers, including children and pets, are supervised at all times
• Reason: Unattended occupants may accidentally engage vehicle controls or require urgent attention
• Implementation: Either bring all occupants out of the vehicle or ensure a responsible adult remains with them at all times