For a club the size of Seneley & Garswood Juniors Football Club to operate, we must have best practice procedures in place. You can view all of our Club Policies by clicking through below.

To this end Seneley & Garswood Juniors Football Club will:

• Ensure the Club has parental consent to use a player’s image if it is to be used in the public domain e.g. club website or newspaper article.

• Ensure that the parent or guardian is informed as to how that image will be used.

• The Club will ensure that any child who is under care proceedings is protected by ensuring that their image is not placed in the public domain.

• The Club will ensure that, unless specific written permission is granted by a parent or guardian any image taken will focus on the activity and not on the individual.

• The Club will ensure that any child featured is appropriately dressed (a minimum of vest or shirt and shorts).

• Aim to take pictures which represent the broad range of youngsters participating safely in football activities e.g. boys and girls, disabled people, ethnic minority communities.

Seneley & Garswood Juniors Football Club will not:

• Publish any photographic images with the full name(s) of the individual(s).

• Use player profiles with pictures and detailed personal information in any Club communication or website.

• Use an image for something other than that which it was initially agreed e.g. published in local press when initially produced for a commemorative picture.
• Allow images to be recorded in changing rooms, showers or toilets – this includes the use of mobile phones that record images.

PLEASE REMEMBER.

It is not an offence to take appropriate photographs in a public place however the Club strongly advises that permission should be sought at all times.

If you have a serious concern about a child protection issue relating to the recording of images the please contact the
Club Welfare Officer.

During the 2001/02 season, The Football Association carried out a programme of on site inspection and testing of goalpost sets at a number of sites across the country. Some of their findings are as follows:

Of all goals tested, 41% of mini-soccer goals, 50% of 5-a-side goals and 22% of junior goals failed stability tests. These types of goals are almost all of a portable type and reliant upon secure means of ‘holding down’ either using anchors or weights.
Anchor weights are rarely used properly or to the recommended loading.

Ground conditions can affect the stability of goals therefore it is important to liaise with manufacturers on the appropriate ground fixing in relation to weather conditions.

Users at every second site were unaware of the safety campaign involving goalposts. Through extending this campaign to the third year – with 250,000 leaflets going out to Clubs, Schools, youth groups, referees, coaches and leisure facilities across the country from the beginning of November 2002 – The FA is committed to raising this awareness and aims to create a safer environment for all football.

Key Areas Of FA Concern Are:

• The stability of goalposts.
• Wooden goals.
• 5-a-side goals on artificial pitches – not weighted down.
• Mini soccer goals – not erected properly.
• Metal cup hooks – dangers of cuts, gouging.
• Modifying of existing goals and DIY changes or welding of equipment.

The four golden rules for goal post safety are:

• Check it.
• Secure it.
• Test it.
• Respect it.

Under no circumstances should children use the goalposts as gymnastic equipment, goalposts should not be used at all, unless they are in good condition, securely anchored to the ground and are stable. If you are concerned about the safety aspect of any goalpost then please report it immediately to any Club or match official.

All Parents, Players And Club Officials Are Requested To Take Note Of And Adhere To The Following

Seneley & Garswood Juniors Football Club acknowledges that every child, young person or adult who plays or participates in football should be able to do so in an enjoyable and safe environment. Seneley & Garswood

Seneley & Garswood Juniors Football that Club acknowledges all of the above should be protected from poor practice and from all forms of abuse.

Seneley & Garswood Juniors Football Club will not tolerate any form of inappropriate language or threatening behaviour from parents, guests, spectators, visitors, officials or Club representatives on pitch sidelines, particularly that aimed toward match officials and participating children.

Seneley & Garswood Juniors Football Club reserves the right  to request any individual demonstrating actions deemed to conflict with this policy to move away from the pitch sidelines and, if necessary, to leave Club premises.

Seneley & Garswood Juniors Football Club reserves the right to refuse, withdraw or terminate the membership of any individual and/or their parents, providing that justification can be proven that the person or persons concerned have:

• Brought the name of the Club into disrepute.
• Used foul and/or abusive language toward any person.
• Takes or participates in actions which are deemed to be harmful or  detrimental to the Club and/ or its Members.
• Is deemed, by action or word, to have endangered the Club’s Football
• Association Charter Standard status.

Inappropriate parental behaviour is the curse and scourge of grassroots football; however, it’s not just a modern day phenomenon, it’s been with the amateur game for countless years.  The football governing bodies recognise the problem and have taken great strides in trying to stamp out this type of moronic behaviour, but in the main it appears to be spiralling out of control.

One theory blames this on the decline in modern day social attitudes, another on a totally different perspective and approach toward respect, another on violence on television, the breakdown of the marital system and so on. Regardless of the reason, or excuse, it is with us and unfortunately we have to deal with it.

You can’t escape the fact that we, as amateur Clubs, have a major part to play in cleaning up the image we portray to the outside world; we can’t just sit back and expect others to do it for us.  All too often, when confronted by these issues, football Clubs throw up a smoke screen in order to deflect their own failings on the behaviour of others.

As parents we welcome the encouragement you give to your children and your support for their chosen team and Club. However that’s as far as it goes. This is the definitive line.

We have a responsibility to advise all Club Members and their parents of the position in which they put themselves if they decide, in their ultimate wisdom, to cross that line. We have a policy of zero tolerance with any person who attempts, in an abusive or obstructive manner, to interfere in the Managers right to select his or her team or the position in which he or she decides to play a certain player.

It must be fully understood that no player, regardless of who he or she is, is guaranteed to be part of any chosen team in any League or friendly fixture.

Club Policy dictates that each and every player is given the opportunity to participate, at one level or another in grassroots football.  That participation normally comes in the form of a minimum one hour coaching session per week with the added bonus, at the Managers discretion, of being selected for a weekend League or friendly fixture.

Team Managers have an extremely difficult role; they are true volunteers in every sense of the word who don’t get paid for their time, effort or commitment. They, and their coaches, are expected to be not only fully committed to the Club but also be approachable and in a position to answer any question put to them to a polite and civilised manner.

They are not there to be bullied or belittled. They should be treated with the respect and dignity that their position deserves, however, if you think otherwise, please be advised to think again. Or better still, apply for their position.

Furthermore the Club commits to bring to the attention of all officials, participating members and their parents an awareness of basic standards required in treating all individuals with DIGNITY and RESPECT.

The Club has identified the main areas of concern which are:

• CLUB OFFICIALS.

Seneley & Garswood Juniors F.C. relies on and fully expects its officials to take active steps or actions to ensure that all squad members and their parents are aware of the high standards of behaviour, DIGNITY and RESPECT expected as members of a Charter Standard Club.
It is the Club Officials responsibility to ensure that all participating members within grassroots football are treated with DIGNITY and RESPECT.

• PARENTS.

Seneley & Garswood Juniors Football Club is fully aware that parents play a major role in the Football Association RESPECT programme. The Club expects all parents to work together with the Team Manager and Coach to eradicate touchline abuse.  Parents also have a responsibility in educating and making their own child aware of the high standards expected within the game with the ultimate goal of treating all participants with DIGNITY and RESPECT.

• PLAYERS:

A player’s role is crucial to the success of the RESPECT Programme.
Players are expected to work alongside their Coaching and Management team to allow the referee and other officials to manage the game without being subjected to abuse, either verbal or physical, from either themselves, their team colleagues, or their supporters. Players have a responsibility to treat all officials and participating members with DIGNITY and RESPECT.

CONCLUSION:

Seneley & Garswood Juniors Football Club commits to publishing and distributing to the above the Clubs: ‘Code Of Conduct For Club Officials’, ‘Code Of Conduct For Parents And Supporters’ and ‘Code Of Conduct For Players’. The Club also commits to working in partnership with the appropriate governing bodies in a determined effort toward the success of the Football Association  RESPECT programme in a determined effort to provide grassroots football opportunities for all in a safe, friendly and abusive free environment.

The welfare of vulnerable adults is everyone’s responsibility, particularly when it comes to protecting them from abuse. Vulnerable adults have a lot to gain from sport, it provides an excellent opportunity for them to learn new skills, become more confident and maximise their own unique potential.

This policy details the types of practice required by all members of Seneley & Garswood Juniors Football Club when in contact with vulnerable adults.

• Treat all vulnerable adults with respect and dignity.

• Respect and promote the rights of vulnerable adults.

• Put the welfare of vulnerable adults first above winning.

• Build balanced relationships based on mutual trust that empower vulnerable adults to share in any decision making process.

• Recognise the development needs and capacity of vulnerable adults.

• Promote the health and safety of vulnerable adults by providing opportunities for them to participate in football in a safe environment.

• Promote and implement appropriate procedures to safe guard the well-being of vulnerable adults.

• Train, support and supervise Seneley & Garswood Juniors Football Club members to adopt best practice to safeguard and protect vulnerable adults from abuse and minimise risk to themselves.

• Seneley & Garswood Juniors Football Club requires all members to abide by this policy.

• Seneley & Garswood Juniors Football Club will respond to any allegations of misconduct or abuse toward vulnerable adults in line with this policy and were appropriate will deal with such matters under the relevant Club disciplinary and appeals procedure.

This is borne out by the growing number of referees who quit the game at grassroots level each year and the increasing number of reports received by the various County Football Associations about ill mannered, abusive and, in some instances aggressive and threatening behaviour directed toward match and opposition team officials. Naturally the pattern differs from league to league; some suffer this indignity more than others. The same can be said of Clubs. Thankfully, ‘reported’ behaviour such as this is rare at Seneley & Garswood Juniors F.C. However, like the vast majority of Clubs, we are not ‘lily white’, there must be those within our own ranks who will, given the opportunity, openly criticise referees to the point of what that referee may well deem as abuse. We are also aware that given the opportunity some individuals will think nothing of shouting abuse at opposition parents and officials, in extreme instances this ‘war of words’ could well boil over into something far more sinister including threats of physical abuse and violence.

The sports governing bodies have given Club Secretaries a clear directive to get a clear and precise message over to parents and Club Officials that behaviour such as this is totally unacceptable and if reported the Club concerned will be disciplined to the point of, in some instances, being dismissed from the league. We must reiterate that it will be the Club which is banned from the League, not just the individual or the team involved.

The FA have already withdrawn the facility of viewing league tables at Under 7 and Under 8 levels in order to curb this epidemic.

With this in mind it is only fair that we point out to our parents and players the position in which they put themselves if any person takes it upon themselves to behave in an abusive manner.

Behaviour such as this is totally unacceptable at this Club; we have a policy of zero tolerance. If any such cases are reported they will be thoroughly investigated and dealt with in a precise and methodical manner so as to protect the good name, Charter Standard and League status of our Club and also safeguard the future, integrity and honour of the vast majority of our members and our law abiding parents who support, encourage and thoroughly enjoy watching their children on the field of play.

In the best interests of these players and their parents the message we send out is quite simple. If any person, be it player, parent or Club official cannot, or will not,  abide by basic rules of courtesy and sportsmanship then you are strongly advisedto take your child to another Club where your behaviour is deemed acceptable……….You are not wanted at this Club.

All Officials should be extremely vigilant at any Club fixture or function where there is an opportunity for a child to be distracted and wonder, or in extreme circumstances, be enticed away from the main group.

In such cases, all officials are advised to adhere to the following process:

• Remain calm at all times.
• Check for missing child with other user groups at the facility.
• A designated assembly point should be identified where all members, along with any parental support, should gather in a calm, collective manner.
• Advise all concerned of potential problem.
• Call a register to identify missing child.
• If unsuccessful contact the facility management so that a full search of the premises can be undertaken. Check toilet facilities, immediate surroundings.
• If unsuccessful then use details on Club Emergency Contact Form to contact parent/guardian in order that a telephone search can be carried out among family, friends and neighbours.
• Contact the police.
• Contact the Club Secretary.
• Contact the Club Welfare Officer if different from above.
• Note and report any difficulty in procedures to the appropriate Club Official.
• Complete a Club Incident Report Form and return to Club Secretary.

Dropping Off And Collection Of Children:

Parents and guardians also have a responsibility for the safety of their children.

A parent/guardian should not allow their child to travel unaccompanied to any Club function, coaching session or fixture.

• The Team Manager/Coach should be made aware in advance if you intend to arrive and drop your child off at a different time to that advised.
• If you arrive early then you should remain with your child until the appropriate Club Official arrives.
• If you arrive late then you must advise the appropriate Club Official on arrival.
• It is extremely important that parents arrive at the correct time to pick up their children.
• No child will be released from our care to an adult who does not have permission to collect that child.
• Under no circumstances should a child be allowed to leave unaccompanied.