As a former play-scheme coordinator for a local authority and whose partner is also a teacher, it's no surprise that North Riding's Andy Clay cares passionately about providing children with a safe and positive sporting environment.

Andy, 24, is the North Riding County FA's Football Development Officer and the county's Child Protection Officer. North Riding FA leads the field when it comes to best practice child protection.

In the last year it has run 20 three-hour child protection workshops for more than 250 volunteers, coaches, club officials and parents.

Recent events have heightened public awareness about child protection issues. But Andy stresses that North Riding County FA's courses are focused on positive issues and geared to enabling children to play football in complete safety. They are not a response to a massive problem in the game.

Clay said: "The child protection courses concentrate on best practice in all areas.

"There are huge numbers of volunteers who are totally committed to developing and supporting young footballers.

"We want to help them do the best they can whilst highlighting potential problem areas which they may never have even thought about."

"Abuse comes in many different forms. Think about over-enthusiastic parents who shout aggressively at children from the touchline, or substitutes left shivering in shirts and shorts on bitterly cold days, or children training in the heat without adequate refreshment.

"Children can also feel neglected and undervalued if coaches concentrate on the most talented children and leave the others to their own devices.

"No matter how minor they may seem, they're all forms of abuse, which can put children off playing the game they love.

"At the same time, we can't hide from the fact that sport can be a target for anyone wishing to harm children and we must do our utmost to protect children from these people."

Child protection issues play a key role in the work of the Football Association's new National Game Division, which has a budget of £350 million to invest in grass roots football over the next ten years.

Such is the FA's commitment to child protection that The FA staged a national conference on the subject at Pride Park, Derby, last month. The conference saw the official launch of the FA Goal Campaign. It states that every club in the country - from park side to Premiership giant - should put child protection and best practice at the top of its agenda.

Thanks to Andy and his county FA colleagues, child protection is firmly embedded in all the county's activities in North Riding. For example, clubs striving for the prestigious Charter Standard status have to demonstrate that they follow The FA's child protection policy and procedures.

Child protection also features prominently in all North Riding's FA's coaching, administration and refereeing courses.

For more information on child protection, best practice workshops or the new FA child protection course which costs £10, simply ring North Riding FA on 01642 321696. The Football Association has also opened a 24-hour child protection helpline in partnership with the NSPCC on 0808 800 500.