Finglas United Youth Football Club

Founded 2015

Co. Dublin

Club Policy and Handbook

Finglas United Youth & Football Club

Established 2015 

Club Policies Handbook For Parents & Players

 

Introduction

Vince Lombardi once said, “Winning isn’t everything, but striving to win is”. This is the  foundation of Finglas United’s football philosophy.  Football is demanding. It is a sport of discipline and will, requiring commitment and hard work.  It takes a dedicated athlete.

 

Playing football will give back to you far more than it will demand.  Football provides a tremendous sense of accomplishment and pride.  

 

At the beginning of each season, players should make a commitment to strive for victory.  “How can I make the team better?” should be the question regularly asked throughout the season.  Hard work, discipline, commitment, and sportsmanship are imperative.  They are how we define a successful season and successful football club.

 

Being a committed member of the Finglas United Football Club translates directly to behaving as a responsible member of Finglas United and the Finglas community.  We must always remember whom we represent. 

 

It is a privilege to be a member of this football club. The time, effort, and energy we all spend in making our club a success is based on a strong conviction that football will provide some of your greatest values and most rewarding moments.  Take pride in everything you do as part of our club, for in football as in life, the success you enjoy will result from the effort you are willing to give to be a winner.

 

Finglas United Youth & Football Club are committed to PRIDE and EXCELLENCE. Remember the players who came before you every time you walk into the club, step on the field, or wear a Finglas United jersey.

 

Remember you are setting the example for those who will follow in your footsteps. You are a Finglas United player all the time and forever.

 

 

Participation Policy/Agreement

All sports, including soccer has its risks.  By voluntarily participating in activities, events and programmes with the club players are exposed to these risks and parents/guardians assume all risks attendant to participation with the club.

 

The club will at all times seek to minimise the risks involved however players should attempt to minimise any injury by; 

· Informing their manager and coaches of any injury or ailment that is likely to affect their performance, their safety or the safety of others.

· Ensuring that they have their proper equipment for training and matches. 

· Packing your own gear and afterwards clean it up for use next time.

Arrangements will be made to collect and return children to specific pick up points/training/match venues.  The club’s responsibility starts and stops at these points and it is the responsibility of parents and guardians to arrange safe travel to and from the pick up points/training/match venues.  If for any reason a parent/guardian is delayed in collecting their child every effort must be made to contact the team manager or coach to discuss arrangements for your child.

There maybe occasions when the players are involved in planned and structured non-football events such as a trip, a fundraising event etc.  The club will carry out an appropriate risk assessment to  ensure the safety of the players.  Players will only be permitted to participate in these activities if they are considered appropriate to do so.

 

By joining Finglas United players, parents and supporters agree and accept the following;

The players code of conduct.

The parents and supporters code of conduct.

The clubs policy on the use of photographic and video equipment for the purpose of promotional and training material.

The clubs participation policy/agreement.

 

Should you expressly disagree to any of the above please inform the club secretary in writing so that the committee may take appropriate action.

 

 

 

 

Code of Conduct For Players 

Children in Finglas United are entitled to;

  • Be safe
  • Be treated with dignity, sensitivity and respect
  • Participate appropriate to their ability and stage of development
  • Be happy, have fun and enjoy soccer
  • Make a complaint in an appropriate way and have it dealt with through a proper and effective procedure
  • Be afforded appropriate confidentiality
  • Be listened to and believed

Children are also encouraged to realise that they have responsibilities to treat other children, fellow players, coaches and volunteers with the same degree of fairness and respect.  In this regard players in Finglas United should undertake to:

· Play for ENJOYMENT, not just to please parents or coaches

· Train & Play to the best of your ability, have a positive attitude and encourage others to do the same.  Respect fellow team members and support them both when they do well and when things go wrong.

· Be a Team player - it’s a Team game

· Be on time and be prepared for matches and training sessions.

· Inform managers and coaches if they cannot attend or will be late for sessions/games.

· Listen to coaches and try and learn and improve as a player.

· Play according to the laws and spirit of the game & refrain from deliberate rough play and cheating.

· Display self control and discipline at all times with the club and never use foul or abusive language - before, during or after a game or training session.

· Respect the decisions of your managers and coaches.

· Respect the decisions of match officials.  Never dispute his or her decision. They are only human and they make mistakes, just like you.

· Show mutual respect to all others regardless of their colour, race, religion, sex or ability.

· Respect the opposition.  Treat them just as you would like them to treat you.  They are not enemies, they are partners in a sporting event.

· Shake hands before and after the match, whoever wins

· Be modest in victory and be gracious in defeat- “Be A Sport”

· Accept apologies from opponents when they are offered.

· Make high standards of Fair Play the standard others want to follow

· Above all else, respect yourself and your body and refrain from the use of drugs or other substances.

· Always try to represent the club to the best of your ability.

· Approach the club Children’s Officer with any questions or concerns they might have. Coaches and parents should encourage children to speak out and support them in doing so. 

Players must also recognise that the game involves some risk of injury, however players should attempt to minimise any injury by;

· Informing their manager and coaches of any injury or ailment that is likely to affect their performance, their safety or the safety of others. 

· Ensuring that they have their proper equipment for training and  matches.  Pack your own gear and afterwards clean it up for use next time.

 

Players in Finglas United Should Not;

  • Cheat
  • Use violence, use physical contact only when it is allowed within the rules
  • Tell lies about other players or adults or spread rumours
  • BULLY or allow others to Bully
  • Take banned substances to improve performance
  • Keep secrets about any person who may have caused them or others harm
  • Behave in any manner that may bring the name of Finglas United in to disrepute.

 

In Finglas United we want children to have fun and develop skills in a safe and Fair Play environment where standards of behaviour are just as important as winning.  We recognise that competition and winning is an important goal, but winning at all costs does not meet the need of young players.

 

Code of Conduct For Parents

The essential elements of character building and ethics in sport are embodied in the concept of sportsmanship and the principles of; 

Respect, Responsibility & Fair Play

 

· Remember that your child is participating to have fun and that the game is for children and not adults.  Do not force an unwilling child to participate.  If he/she is to play, they will do so in good time through your encouragement.

· Help your child to focus on the performance and not the result and teach your child that doing one’s best is more important than winning, so that your child will never feel defeated by the outcome of a game or their performance.

· Be your child’s best fan and support them unconditionally.

· Emphasise skill development and practices and promote emotional and physical well being of your child and other players ahead of your own personal desire that you may have for your child to win.

· Support all the players in your child’s team and do not criticise anyone.   Remember, children don’t mean to make mistakes, so don’t ridicule or shout at your child or other players for making mistakes or losing matches.

· Do not dispute referee’s decisions.  They will make mistakes occasionally.  Everyone does.  If you abuse or shout at referees you are breaking the rules of the game and risk generating a fine or worse punishment for the club and NEVER enter the field of play.

· As a spectator, do not use foul or abusive language, towards officials or coaches from the club or the opposition.

· Set a good example by applauding good play on both sides and teach your child to play by the rules and praise all players for competing fairly and trying hard.

· DO NOT coach from the side line during matches or training (unless asked by the coach).  Leave this to the team managers and coaches or you may cause confusion and erode your child’s confidence.

 

PLEASE NOTE

Where parents coach their child from the side line in this manner, coaches and managers will follow club policy and remove the player from the game.

· DO NOT criticise your child’s coach to your child or other parents.  If you are not happy with the coach you should raise the issue with the coach.

· Encourage your child to speak with their manager/coach.  If your child is having difficulty in training or games, or can’t attend training etc.  encourage them to speak directly to the coaches.  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.

· Develop a responsibility in your child to pack their own kit, clean their boots and take a drinks bottle (full of water or squash/juice only) to games and training sessions.

· Encourage healthy lifestyle habits for your child and demand an environment that is safe and free from any kind of drugs.

· Encourage your child to inform the manager/coach of any ailment or disability that might affect their safety or performance.

· Recognise the importance of volunteer referees and coaches within schoolboy football.  They give of their time and resources to provide recreational activities for your child.

· Encourage in your child an appreciation of mutual respect for team  mates and opponents and demand from your child that they treat all other players, coaches, officials and spectators with respect, regardless of race, colour, religion, sex or ability.

 

 LEAD  BY  EXAMPLE

 

Remember that although children play organised soccer they are not miniature professionals.

Don’t place excessive pressure on children to perform to unrealistically high expectations.

 

Children play soccer to develop their skills to have fun and enjoy the game.

 

 

Use of Photographic Equipment

Many people use cameras and video equipment at soccer activities and the vast majority do so for perfectly legitimate reasons.  However there is evidence that people have used sporting events to take inappropriate photographs and video footage of children and young people in vulnerable positions.

 

In line with current government and F.A.I. Guidelines Finglas United has adopted a policy in relation to the use of images of players on any materials or publications used by the club.

 

Where possible we will try to use models or illustrations when promoting an activity and avoid the use of the names of the individual players in photographs.  This reduces the risk of inappropriate, unsolicited attention from people within and outside the sport.

 

If parents and spectators wish to take photographs or record their children participating in training or games they should seek prior permission from the club children’s officer or team managers and coaches.

 

In using photographic equipment we ask that you only use images of players in suitable dress to reduce the risks of inappropriate use.  The content of the photographs or video footage should focus on the activity and not on particular children.

 

In addition we would ask parents to inform the clubs children’s officer or your child’s manager if you have any concerns about inappropriate or intrusive photography.  Unless otherwise communicated to the club secretary in writing it is accepted by the club that each and every player, their parents/guardians agree to the use of appropriate images of club events for promotional and training purposes..

 

Please Note

The use of cameras, videos and camera phones is not be allowed in changing areas.

 

 

Bullying

What is Bullying

Bullying is a conscious, wilful, deliberate and repeated hostile activity marked by an imbalance of power, intent to harm, and/or threat of aggression.  Severe bullying can lead to a feeling of terror on the part of the person being bullied. 

Bullying can be:

            Verbal: taunts, name calling, put downs, threats and intimidation

            Social: exclusion from groups, ganging up, or group teasing

            Physical: hitting/kicking victims and/or taking or damaging personal property

            Cyber: using computers/phones etc. to harass of threaten

Bullying in sport may appear as

            Unwanted yelling and screaming at a person

            Continually criticizing a person’s abilities.

            Blaming a person for mistakes

            Making unreasonable demands related to performance

            Repeated insults or put downs of a person

            Denying or discounting a persons accomplishments

            Threats of, and actual physical violence

            E-mails or texts containing insults or threats

 

What Players Can Do

Trust your instincts.  If someone’s behaviour is making you feel uncomfortable or threatened, DON’T ignore it.  You have the right to be treated with respect.  There is something that can be done!! 

 

Talk to someone you trust - a parent, friend or coach or another player and keep speaking up until someone helps you.

 

Stay Calm.  Bullies love a reaction so don’t give them one.

 

Project confidence.  Hold your head up and stand up straight.  Bullies pick on people they think are afraid.  Show them you’re not.

 

DON’T reply to messages on phones or emails.  If you’re receiving threatening messages don’t reply but keep the messages as evidence.  The Garda and your internet service provider and/or telephone company can use these messages to help you.

 

Injuries & Rehabilitation

All players injured during a game or training must report the injury to their team manager and coach for initial assessment and to provide advice on the most appropriate course of treatment if necessary.  It is important players manage their injuries correctly so that they can return to the game in a timely manner and help reduce any possible long term damage.

 

As part of the club’s commitment to the health & welfare of our players we use the services of a Chartered Physiotherapist to look after serious injuries sustained by players participating with the club teams.

 

The club physiotherapist is available by appointment at his clinic in Leisure Point Sport & Fitness Centre and managers may if they deem it necessary following confirmation with the club committee arrange treatment(s) with the club physiotherapist.

 

Depending on the nature of the injuries, players may receive multiple treatments if deemed necessary by the physiotherapist. 

 

The club receives a significantly reduced rate of €30 per session booked through the club scheme.  Each treatment session, including the initial assessment will cost €30 and the club will pay 50% of each session taken under the club scheme.  Players must pay the other 50%  (€15) of the treatment session at the time of the treatment.  PLEASE NOTE where players fail to show for treatments or not give the physiotherapist adequate notice of cancellation that they will be charged the FULL €30 for the session.

 

NORTH DUBLIN PHYSIOTHERAPIST

Tel: 087-3677988

David Kieran B.Sc (Hons)., M.I.S.C.P., M.A.A.C.P

Chartered Physiotherapist in Musculoskeletal, Orthopaedics and Sports Injury

Registered Acupuncturist

Website: www.physiodublin.com

E-Mail: info@physiodublin.com

Facebook: facebook.com/NorthDublinPhysiotherapy

Twitter: twitter.com/davidkieran28

 

Communication Process for Parents & Managers

The club recognises that for better player development, all players need to start and finish in matches over the course of the season.  Managers will try and best ensure that team selections take this into consideration so that the players benefit to the fullest extent possible.

 

It is reasonable to assume that parents of players at Finglas United should have an understanding of their “minimum” expectations of match time.  All players contribute to the team’s performances and development.  In forming these guidelines, consideration has been given to providing coaches with enough flexibility to choose teams best able to compete with opposition of varying quality, and to make tactical changes during games.

 

Ultimately, managers & coaches have the authority over who becomes a player of a team and when the player plays or is removed from the team.  

Acceptance of a position on the team includes acceptance of this policy.  Therefore, these issues are not appropriate topics for parent involvement and discussions with coaches is discouraged.

 

Obviously a number of factors will impact on this, including injuries, the health of players on the day of each game and the mathematical logistics of splitting time evenly.  

 

Parents/Guardians should remember that managers and coaches with our club are all volunteers that give their time freely to assist the young players in their care and will carry out their duties to the best of their ability and with due care and diligence and we would hope that you give the managers and coaches the respect they deserve as abuse of our club personnel will not be tolerated.

 

It is NEVER acceptable for a parent to attempt to discuss playing time with a coach during a game or practice.  It is also NEVER acceptable for a parent to attempt to discuss the performance or playing time of another player.

 

If a meeting is requested to discuss a player’s participation for any reason it should be done through team managers and coaches.  The vast majority of   player concerns will be worked out at this level. 

 

If the player or parent are not satisfied with what transpired at the coach’s level, they may choose to contact a committee member, or the club secretary John Fox by email at johnfoxwfta@hotmail.com

 

The club committee will discuss the parent’s or player’s concerns with the team personnel before deciding if any action is deemed necessary.  The committee’s decision will be final in all these matters and not further consideration will be granted.

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