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Woodley Saints FC

Code of Conduct 

The Club's aim is to maintain its position as one of the leading football clubs in the Thames Valley, providing coaching, training and competitive football played to the highest standards of sportsmanship. In order to achieve this, the Club asks all of its officials, players and supporters to be role models, both on and off the field, who: 

  1. abide by the rules of the Club, the local football leagues and the Football Association.
  2. respect the decisions of referees, linesmen and team managers.
  3. display and encourage sportsmanship, fair play and teamwork.
  4. are courteous to opposing teams.
  5. discourage all forms of abusive behaviour and misconduct.
  6. enjoy themselves and have fun.

Club officials will ensure that: 

  1. new managers are properly vetted, interviewed and briefed prior to appointment.
  2. those players, officials and spectators who incur fines recompense the Club promptly.
  3. players and officials with an unsatisfactory disciplinary record are required to leave the Club.

Team Managers/Coaches will ensure that: 

  1. a trained first-aider, with a basic first aid kit, attends all matches and training sessions.
  2. players who receive injuries are dealt with promptly and considerately.
  3. players are properly equipped for matches and training (e.g. sound boots, adequate shin pads, no jewellery).
  4. playing conditions are safe before starting matches or training.
  5. training facilities and changing rooms are left in a clean and tidy state.
  6. match result cards contain a frank and fair assessment of the referee.
  7. new players, who are known to have a poor disciplinary record, are not recruited into the Club.
  8. accurate financial records are kept of their squad's activities.

In addition they should note the following guidelines issued by the Football Association 

  1. Coaches must respect the rights, dignity and worth of each and every person and treat each equally within the context of the sport.
  2. Coaches must place the well-being and safety of each player above all other considerations, including the development of performance.
  3. Coaches must adhere to all guidelines laid down by governing bodies.
  4. Coaches must develop an appropriate working relationship with each player based on mutual trust and respect.
  5. Coaches must not exert undue influence to obtain personal benefit or reward.
  6. Coaches must encourage and guide players to accept responsibility for their own behaviour and performance.
  7. Coaches must ensure that the activities they direct or advocate are appropriate for the age, maturity, experience and ability of players.
  8. Coaches should, at the outset, clarify with the players (and, where appropriate, parents) exactly what is expected of them and also what they, as players, are entitled to expect from their coach.
  9. Coaches must co-operate fully with other specialists (e.g. other coaches, officials, sports scientists, doctors, physiotherapists) in the best interests of the player.
  10. Coaches must always promote the positive aspects of the sport (e.g. fair play) and never condone violations of the Laws of the Game, behaviour contrary to the spirit of the Laws of the Game or relevant rules and regulations or the use of prohibited substances or techniques.
  11. Coaches must consistently display high standards of behaviour and appearance.
  12. Not to use or tolerate inappropriate language.

Parents/Carer’s/Spectators will ensure that: 

  1. the Team Manager is informed of any health problems (e.g. asthma, hay fever, epilepsy) or injuries that their children may have, and that appropriate medication is available.
  2. their children train and play football for the Club only when they are fit and well enough to do so.

Parents are also encouraged to attempt the Soccer Parent Certificate on the FA website and advise their children’s Manager or Coach when they have obtained the certificate. They should also maintain the following FA guidelines.

 A parent’s/career’s/spectator’s expectations and attitudes have a significant bearing on a child’s attitude towards: 

(i)  Other players

(ii) Officials

(iii) Managers

(iv) Spectators. 

This club will ensure that parents/career’s/spectators within the club are always positive and encouraging towards all of the children - not just their own - and will encourage parents/career’s/spectators to: 

(i) Applaud the opposition as well as their own team

(ii) Avoid coaching the child during the game

(iii) Not to shout and scream

(iv) Respect the referee’s decision

(v) Give attention to each of the children involved in football not just the most talented

(vi) Give encouragement to everyone to participate in football. 

The club will ensure that parents/career’s/spectators agree and adhere to the Code of Conduct and Child Protection Policy.

 Players will ensure that: 

  1. their Team Manager is informed promptly when they are unavailable for selection.
  2. they turn up on time for training and matches.
  3. signing-on fees and match/training fees are paid promptly.
  4. they take good care of their kit, and take pride in their appearance.
  5. they take sensible precautions to protect their belongings and those of other players, particularly in changing rooms.

 Youth Players are also encouraged to attempt the Soccer Parent Certificate for Children on the FA website and advise their Manager or Coach when they have obtained the certificate. They should also maintain the following FA guidelines. 

Obligation to the game 

  1. Make every effort to develop their own sporting abilities, in terms of skill, technique, tactics and stamina.
  2. Give maximum effort and strive for the best possible performance during a game, even if his team is in a position where the desired result has already been achieved.
  3. Set a positive example for others, particularly young players and supporters.
  4. Avoid all forms of gamesmanship, and time-wasting.
  5. Always have regard to the best interests of the game, including where publicly expressing an opinion on the game and any particular aspect of it, including others involved in the game.
  6. Not use inappropriate language.

Obligations towards one’s own team 

  1. Make every effort consistent with Fair Play and the Laws of the Game to help his own team win.
  2. Resist any influence which might, or might be seen to, bring into question his commitment to the team winning.

Respect for the Laws of the Game and competition rules 

  1. Know and abide by the Laws, rules and spirit of the game, and the competition rules.
  2. Accept success and failure, victory and defeat, equally.
  3. Resist any temptation to take banned substances or use banned techniques.

Respect towards Opponents  

  1. Treat opponents with due respect at all times, irrespective of the result of the game.
  2. Safeguard the physical fitness of opponents, avoid violence and rough play, and help injured opponents.

Respect towards the Match Officials 

  1. Accept the decision of the Match Official without protest.
  2. Avoid words or actions which may mislead a Match Official.
  3. Show due respect towards Match Officials.

Respect towards Team Officials 

  1. Abide by the instructions of their Coach and Team Officials provided they do not contradict the spirit of this Code.
  2. Show due respect towards the Team Officials of the opposition.

Obligations towards the Supporters 

  1. Show due respect to the interests of supporters.