• General Philosophy

• What the players can expect from the manager/coach

• What is expected individually from the players

• Team Rules

• What is expected from the parents

• Safeguarding and Welfare

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General Philosophy

• Discipline and fun can co-exist. Football is a game that is fun and children play because they enjoy it. The fun will not be taken out of the game, but at the same time the players are in a club environment and the game will be tailored to suit the team and club needs, of which the players must be respectful of

• The vast majority of training sessions will be conducted with a ball, although there will be occasions for the need of some fitness work

• Focus will be on enjoyment and performance, not results. Players and team development is the primary focus and this will be reiterated to the Players

• Effort will be rewarded over ability. Team selection will largely be determined by attitude, behaviour, attendance and effort towards performance in training rather than player ability

• Club environment; players must conduct themselves appropriately on and off the pitch. Respect must be shown to players, staff and parents from other teams that belong to the club, and efforts should be made to attend club functions

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What the players can expect from the manager/coach

• Respect; for the players, parents, opposition and officials

• Equality; all players will be treated equally and fairly regardless of ability or status within the team

• Organisation; training sessions will be planned and structured, as will matchday preparations

• Encouragement; mistakes are part of learning, no-one will be 'told off' for making a mistake

• Development; emphasis will be to teach the players and develop their individual and team skills

• Focus; player performance is the primary focus, not results of the games

• Knowledge; information that will be shared to develop the players

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What is expected individually from the players

• Everyone must follow all directions given by the management/coaches

• Everyone must do their best

• When coaches talk players must listen

• When it is the turn for one of the players to talk all other players must be respectful and listen

• Everyone to be a good sport whether we win or lose

• No swearing or name-calling

• No spitting

• No throwing of objects (e.g. mud)

• Disruptive or disrespectful behaviour will not be tolerated

• Respect for the management, players, parents, opposition and officials

• Willingness to learn. It's okay to make mistakes, but players must try to learn from them and not be ignorant to taking advice in how to correct them

• Any financial fines incurred by players are the responsibility of the player and parents, and they must ensure all fines are paid. If fines are unpaid then the club reserves the right to suspend players until the fines are paid

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Team Rules

• Play according to the laws and spirit of the game

• Be on time and be prepared for matches and training sessions

• Display self-control in all situations. Never use foul or abusive language - before, during or after a game or training session

• Train and play to the best of your ability, have a positive attitude, and encourage others to do the same

• Respect the opposition. Treat them as you would like them to treat you

• Respect the officials. Never dispute their decisions. They are only human and they make mistakes, just like you

• Turn up for training and matches in appropriate and clean clothing

• Wear the right sort of footwear depending on the playing conditions

• Always wear shinpads (this is an FA requirement. No shinpads = no playing, even at training)

• Clean boots on matchdays (must be cleaned by the players themselves)

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What is expected from the parents

• Parents must not coach from the pitch side during matches and training

• Be your child's biggest fan and support them unconditionally

• Focus on the positive aspects of your child's game

• Develop a responsibility in your child to pack their own kit, clean their boots and bring along drink

• Respect the facilities at our opponents' grounds

• Do not criticise the manager/coach to your child or other parents, if you are not happy you should raise any issue with the manager/coach

• Encourage your child to liaise with the coach. If your child is having difficulties in training or games, or can't attend training etc. encourage them to speak directly to the manager/coach. This 'responsibility taking' is a big part of becoming a mature person. By handling off the field tasks, your child is claiming ownership of all aspects of the game

• Help your child to focus on the performance and not the result - winning is not as important as them doing their best and enjoying the game

• Support all the players in your child's squad. Do not criticise any player

• Be respectful towards opponents, their parents, managers/coaches or the officials 

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Safeguarding and Welfare

• The Club adopts the FA's Safeguarding Children Policy and is supported by The Association's Respect programme to address verbal abuse and bullying of youngsters by parents and coaches on the sidelines. The Association's Safeguarding Children Policy principles are that:

  • The child's welfare is, and must always be, the paramount consideration

  • All children and young people have a right to be protected from abuse regardless of their age, gender, disability, culture, language, racial origin, religious beliefs or sexual orientation

  • All suspicions and allegations of abuse will be taken seriously and responded to swiftly and appropriately