HM Government of Gibraltar has noted the “open letter” circulated by a group of parents and coaches regarding youth rugby. 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, the Hon. Leslie Bruzon MP, 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.”