WAFC

Club Policies

 

This section of the club site details Winwick Athletic Football Clubs key policies and codes of conduct.

Our rule rules and constitution is available in PDF format for download (you will require Adobe® Reader® version 6 or later). Right click the following link and click save as to download, alternatively
click on the link to open the PDF. Rules and Consitution PDF

If as a player, parent or spectator you have any comments on any of the rules or constitution of the club, please direct them in the first instance to the club secretary Paul McMahon who will raise your points for discussion at the earliest schedule committee meeting for review.
Positive Encouragement please

During the new season a reminder to all parents/spectators that positive encouragement is our preference from the touchline. This will contribute to:

  • Children enjoying football.
  • Sense of personal achievement.
  • Self-esteem.
  • Assist to improve the child’s skills and techniques.

Remember please encourage but NOT COACH your child during a match. Too many different instructions being shouted only confuses the children and subsequently effects their concentration.

Please let the coach’s coach.Thanks

Child Protection Policy

(a) The FA Child Protection Policy Statement as adopted by Winwick Athletic FC

  • Every child or young person, defined, as any person under the age of 18, who plays or participates in football should be able to take part in an enjoyable and safe environment and be protected from abuse.
  • This is the responsibility of every adult involved in football.
  • The Football Association recognises its responsibility to safeguard the welfare of all children and young people by protecting them from physical, sexual or emotional harm and from neglect or bullying. It is determined to meet its obligation to ensure that those clubs and organisations providing football opportunities for children and young people do so, to the highest possible standard of care. (Appendix 1 Football Association Regulation)
  • These procedures apply to anyone in football whether in a paid or voluntary capacity. For example, volunteers in clubs, referees, and club officials, helpers on club tours, football coaches and medical staff.
  • The football association will consider, having taken advice, whether anyone who has a previous criminal conviction or caution for offences related to the abuse of children or young people, violence or any sexual offences should be excluded from working with children and young people. This position is re-enforced by UK legislation and guidance.

The FA Child Protection Policy

(b) Club Objectives

Are to:

  • Promote the awareness of club officials, parents and supporters towards the protection of the children involved from any actual or possible abuse
  • Comply with rules set down by the League and the Football Association
  • Promote best practice and encouragement at all times
  • Put the safety and needs of the children first

(c) Club Policy

  • To promote the appropriate training methods to the relevant age group.
  • To ensure all equipment complies with all safety standards.
  • To promote positive and ethical behaviour from Club Officials, Parents and Supporters.
  • To give the same protection and respect to all children no matter whether a club member or not.
  • To encourage all Club Officials, Parents and Supporters to be positive at all times when being critical of children’s performance.
  • To recognise the need to confront and eliminate any form of abuse, be it Verbal, Physical, Emotional or Neglect.
  • To record and act upon any reports of actual or potential Child Protection issues.
  • To take all-reasonable steps to ensure unsuitable people are prevented from working with children.

(d) Adherence

  • All club officials shall agree to abide by and adhere to the Child Protection Policy as specified by the FA and applied within the Rules and Constitution of the Club.

Club Equal Opportunity Policy

Winwick Athletic Football Club is committed to a policy of equal treatment of all members and requires all members of whatever level of authority, to abide and adhere to this general principle and the requirements of Codes of Practice issued by the Equal Opportunities Commission and Commission for Racial Equality.

All members are expected to abide by the requirements of the Race Relations Act 1976; Sex Discrimination Act 1995, specifically discrimination is prohibited in:

Treating any individual on grounds of gender, colour, marital status, race, nationality or ethnic or national origin, religion, sexual oriented or disability less favourably than others.

Expecting an individual solely on the grounds stated above to comply with requirement(s) for any reason whatsoever related to their membership, which are different to the requirements of others.

Imposing on an individual, requirements, which are in effect more onerous on that individual than they are on others. For example this would include applying a condition (which is not warranted by the requirements of the position) which makes it more difficult for members of a particular race or sex to comply than others not of that sex or race.

Victimisation of an individual

Harassment of an individual (which for the purposes of this policy and the actions and sanction applicable thereto is regarded as discrimination).

Any other act or omission of an act, which has as its effect the disadvantaging of a member against another, or others, purely on the above grounds. Thus, in all the Club’s recruitment, selection, promotion and training processes, as well as disciplinary matters etc.-in other words all instances where those in control of members are required to make judgements between them – it is essential that merit, experience, skills and temperament are considered as objectively as possible.

Winwick Athletic Football Club commits itself to the immediate investigation of any claims of discrimination on the above grounds and where such is found to be the case, a requirement that the practice cease forthwith, restitution of damage or loss (if necessary) and to the investigation of any member accused of discrimination.

Any member found guilty of discrimination will be instructed to desist forthwith. Since discrimination in its many forms is against the Clubs Policy, any members offending will be dealt with under the Club’s disciplinary procedure.

Winwick Athletic Football Club commits itself to the disabled person whenever possible and will treat such members, in aspects of their recruitment and membership, in exactly the same manner as other members, the difficulties of their disablement permitting assistance will be given, whenever possible to ensure that disabled members are helped in gaining access. Appropriate training will be made to such members who request it.

Club Anti Discrimination Policy

Winwick Athletic Football Club is responsible for setting standards and values to apply throughout the club at every level. Football belongs to and should be enjoyed by everyone equally.
Our commitment is to confront and eliminate discrimination whether by reason of sex, sexual orientation, race, nationality, ethnic origin, colour, religion or disability.

Equality of opportunity at Winwick Athletic Football Club means that in all our activities we will not discriminate or in any way treat anyone less favourably, on grounds of sex,
sexual orientation, race, nationality, ethnic origin, colour, religion or disability.

This includes:

  • The advertisement for volunteers.
  • The selection of candidates for volunteers.
  • Courses.
  • External coaching and education activities and awards.
  • Football development activities.
  • Selection of teams
  • Appointments to honorary positions.

Winwick Athletic Football Club will not tolerate sexual or racially based harassment or other discriminatory behaviour, whether physical or verbal and will work to ensure that such
behaviour is met with appropriate action in whatever context it occurs.

Winwick Athletic Football Club is committed to the development of the programme of ongoing training and awareness raising events and activities in order to promote the eradication of discrimination within its own organisation and in the wider context, within football as a whole.

Code of Conduct for Players Code of Conduct for Parents/Spectators
  • Obligation towards the game. A player should:
  • Make every effort to develop their own sporting abilities, in terms of skill, technique, tactics and stamina.
  • Give maximum effort and strive for the best possible performance during the game.
  • Set a positive example for others, particularly young players and supporters.
  • Avoid all forms of gamesmanship, and time wasting.
  • 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.
  • Never use inappropriate language.
  • Obligation towards the game. A player should:
  • Make every effort consistent with Fair Play and the Laws of the Game to help his own team win.
  • 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. A player should:
  • Know and abide by the Laws, rules and spirit of the game, and the competition rules.
  • Accept success and failure, victory and defeat, equally.
  • Resist the temptation to take banned substances or use banned techniques.
  • Respect towards Opponents. A player should:
  • Treat opponents with due respect at all times, irrespective of the result of the game.
  • Safeguard the physical fitness of opponents, avoid violence and rough play, and help injured opponents.
  • Respect towards Match Officials. A player should:
  • Accept the decision of the Match Official without protest.
  • Avoid words or actions that might mislead a Match Official.
  • Show due respect towards Match Officials.
  • Respect towards Team Officials. A player should:
  • Abide by the instructions of their Coach and Team Officials, provided they do not contradict the spirit of this code.
  • Show due respect towards the Team Officials of the opposition.
  • Obligations towards the Supporters. A player should:
  • Show due respect towards the Supporters.
  • Look after any kit or equipment loaned to them by the club.
  • Respect the pitch and facilities provided by the club or any other club when playing away.
  • Parents / Spectators have a great influence on children’s enjoyment and success in football. All children play football because they first and foremost love the game – it’s fun.
  • It is important to remember that however good a child becomes at football within your club it is important to reinforce the message to parents/spectators that positive encouragement will contribute to:
  • Children enjoying football.
  • A sense of personal achievement.
  • Self-esteem.
  • Assist to improve the child’s skills and techniques.
  • A parents / spectators expectations and attitudes have a significant bearing on a child’s attitude towards:
    • Other players.
    • Club Officials.
    • Spectators.
    • Each Other.
    • League Officials / Referees.
  • Parents / Spectators will:
  • Encourage but NOT COACH their child during a match.
  • Too many different instructions being shouted only confuses the children and subsequently effects their concentration. Please let the coach’s coach.
  • Not shout or scream at any child (It’s meant to be FUN).
  • Respect the Match Officials and their decisions.
  • Encourage all the children not just the most talented.
  • Give encouragement and help to Club Officials (They are all volunteers and are not paid!!!).
  • Do not force an unwilling child to play the sport.
  • Encourage your child to always play by the rules.
  • Never ridicule or shout at your child for making a mistake or losing.
  • Teach your child that effort and teamwork are as important as winning.
  • Support all efforts at removing verbal and physical abuse from children’s sport.
  • Don’t question in public the judgement of officials and never their honesty.
  • Recognise the importance of coaches and officials who give voluntarily of their time and effort.
  • Remember children at play aren’t professional entertainers.
  • Do not harass or swear at coaches or officials.
  • Ensure the players abide by their Code of Conduct.
  • Applaud the opposition as well as their own team.

Photography & Video Recording Policy

The Club has strict policies on the photographing & videoing of children in the Club.

The Club will from time to time take photographs of teams either for publicity purposes or for inclusion into the Club website, or team newsletters. Player’s names will not be included against
photographs so children may not be readily identifiable from any photograph taken.

Photographs taken by the Club will be taken of age groups in general & not specifically of an individual child, unless the parents has requested this for a reason i.e. a special achievement.
Any photographs taken of individual children must only be taken with the parent’s specific consent.

Video recordings may be taken from time to time by the Club. All video footage should be of a team in general & should not focus on individual children. Close up recording is not permitted.

The Team Manager or Coach should state his intentions to the parents of the children before commencing with taking any photographs or video recordings.

Parents have the right to refuse to allow their child to be videoed or photographed. If a video or photograph is to be taken during a match then consent from both sides must be sought first.

All photographic material will be destroyed by the Club after use. Any video tapes or DVD recordable media will be stored securely & will be wiped after use.

If a parent wishes to take any photographs or make any video recordings then they must gain permission from the Team Manager or coach in charge before they can commence.
This includes using mobile phones with camera or video recording facilities. The Team Manager or coach should then inform all other parents of their intentions before this can commence.

Parents have the right to refuse to allow their child to be videoed or photographed by another parent.

The above is subject to local laws - ie on public land the above cannot be enforced legally - however every attempt would be made by a club coach/manager to ensure the above policy was adhered to.

Club Complaints Procedure

In the event that any member feels that he or she has suffered discrimination in any way or that the Club Polices, Rules or Code of Conduct have been broken should follow the procedures stated below.

1. They should report the matter in writing to the Club Secretary or another member of the Club Committee.

Your written report should include:

(i) Details of what, when, and where the occurrence took place.

(ii) Any witness statement and names.

(iii) Names of any others who have been treated in a similar way.

(iv) Details of any former complaints made about the incident, date, when and to who made.

(v) A preference for a solution to the incident.

2. The Club’s Management Committee will sit for any hearings that are requested.

3. The Club’s Management Committee will have the power to:

(vi) Warn as to future conduct.

(vii) Suspend from membership.

(viii) Remove from membership.

In the event of an appeal being lodged against a decision of the Club Committee, this must be done so in writing to the Club Secretary within 7 days of such decision. An Appeals Committee shall be constituted within one calendar month of such appeal being lodged, whose membership shall be the Club Chairperson, Club Secretary, one other Committee Member and 2 members of the Parent Association. The member being disciplined will be permitted to present their evidence or fresh evidence one final time, but the decision of the Appeals Committee shall be final.

Last Updated on Friday, 29 May 2009 12:24