Aims and Objectives:
The aim of Knocklyon United Football Club is to provide all players at our club with the maximum opportunities to develop their footballing ability to its full potential. This will be achieved with the full co-operation of Managers/Coaches, Players and Parents in a safe and friendly environment.
Code of Conduct for Managers/Coaches:
1. Remember that as coaches of underage teams, you must extend your duty of care more rigorously than that required with an adult team.
2. All coaches/managers must have successfully completed the FAI Child Protection Course, or an appropriate alternative.
3. All coaches/managers must obtain the minimum levels of Kick start 1 & Kick start 2 at the earliest available opportunity.
4. All coaches/managers and club officers must successfully complete a Garda vetting application.
5. Remember that young people need a coach/manager whom they can respect. Lead by example.
6. Be generous in your praise when it is deserved.
7. Never ridicule or shout at players for making mistakes or losing a match.
8. Teach your players that the rules of the game are mutual agreements which no one should evade or break.
9. Please be reasonable in your demands on the player’s time, energy & enthusiasm. Remember that they have other interests & demands on their time.
10. Remember that young players play for fun & enjoyment & that skill, learning & playing for fun have priority over highly structure competition. Winning is not the only objective.
11. Develop player & team respect for the ability of opponents, as well as for the judgement of referees & opposing coaches.
12. Insist on fair play & discipline play. Do not tolerate fouls, fighting or foul language. Be prepared to take off an offending player.
13. Set realistic goals for the team & individual players & do not push young players into adult like competitions.
14. Encourage young players to develop basic skills & sportsmanship. Avoid over specialization in positional play during their formative years.
15. Create a safe & enjoyable environment in which to train & play.
16. Do not over burden younger players with too much information.
17. Make a personal commitment to keep yourself informed on sound coaching principles & methods & on the principles of growth & development of young people.
18. Please be aware of the effect you have on growing children.
19. Never criticize the referee or assistant referee during or after a match in front of the players or spectators.
20. Always thank the match officials & if they have made a decision which requires clarification, discuss the problem after everyone has changed.
21. Seek & follow the advice of a doctor/physiotherapist in determining when an injured player is ready to play again.
22. Ensure the proper equipment & facilities are available at all times. Make sure after use all facilities you have used are left securely locked and safe.
23. On match days you are responsible for the setting up and securely putting back the goals, the do not cross the line barrier and the bins, it is your responsibility to liaise with the teams playing before or after you.
24. Ensure that you arrange the marking of your designated pitch if it is your team’s turn on the schedule.
25. Ensure that all your players know that bullying, whether verbal or physical will not be tolerated.
26. Ensure that you have contact details for all players’ parents /guardians.
27. Support the club in the collection of the annual subs and where possible support the fundraising activities.
All above is superseded by the Code of Ethics and Good Practice for Children’s Sport as directed by The Irish Sports Council and supported by the FAI.
Code of Conduct for Players:
1. Bullying of any sort will not be tolerated.
2. No bad language is allowed.
3. Players must show respect for coaches & other players. At the end of the match accept the result in a sporting manner and shake hands with the opposition.
4. Players should arrive on time for coaching & match days.
5. Players must maintain a high level of respect for the club, fellow players & opponents.
6. Players must be respectful towards their parents/guardians, coaches/mangers & club members.
7. Players should be respectful towards referees & other match / league officials & should never question a decision of a match official.
8. Players should at all times abide by the Laws of the Game.
9. Always have commitment to your club and pride in your performance. Take good care of your gear and wear the correct Knocklyon United kit on match days.
10. Pay your subs on time.
11. Enjoy playing and training with Knocklyon United FC.
All above is superseded by the Code of Ethics and Good Practice for Children’s Sport as directed by The Irish Sports Council and supported by the FAI.
Code of Conduct for Parents:
1. Young people are involved in sport for their enjoyment.
2. Encourage your child always to play by the laws of the game.
3. Teach young children that honest endeavour is as important as winning so that the result of each game is accepted without disappointment.
4. Help young people to work towards skill improvement and good sportsmanship.
5. Set a good example by applauding good play on both sides.
6. Never ridicule, humiliate or shout at young players for making a mistake or losing a match.
7. Do not place emphasis on winning at all costs.
8. Do not force an unwilling child to participate in the playing of sport. If the child is to play, he/she will do so in good time through your encouragement. There are other aspects of sport other than playing which are equally fulfilling.
9. Support all efforts to remove verbal & physical abuse from sport.
10. As a spectator, do not use profane language or harass referees, coaches or players. Do not engage in shouting across the pitch or down the side line at the opposition parents, managers/coaches.
11. Do not question the referee’s judgement & never their honesty.
12. Recognise the value & importance of volunteer referees & coaches. They give of their time & resources to provide recreational activities for young people.
13. No coming onto the playing pitches unless you are asked to by a coach/manager.
14. No unnecessary contact with other children unless you are asked by a coach/manager.
15. No negative communications with referees, teams or coaches/managers– respect everyone.
16. We ask that parents/guardians obey a “One Voice” policy – this is to ensure that the children listen to their managers and are also given the freedom to make their own decisions. With too many voices giving conflicting messages this will only confuse the children and reduce both the fun & learning.
17. Please obey the “Don’t Cross the Line” rule at any pitches that adhere to this system.
18. Offer assistance to the coach/manager with the setting up and taking down of equipment.
19. Pays your child’s subs on time and ensure that your child wears the correct Knocklyon United FC kit on match days and when representing the club.
20. Where possible support the club with fundraising events.
Remember: Coaches Coach - Players Play - Parents Spectate & Encourage
All above is superseded by the Code of Ethics and Good Practice for Children’s Sport as directed by The Irish Sports Council and supported by the FAI.
Child Protection Policy:
Knocklyon United FC believes that concern for the general well-being and welfare of all children and young persons under its care is of paramount importance in developing the young players of the future. The club recognizes the responsibilities and trust that is placed on it by all players and their families. It will seek to respond to that responsibility by encouraging best practice in Child Protection matters and encourage everyone involved in the club to recognize this. The protection of the child must be the first priority of all its members. All Managers/Coaches must know the club’s policy and procedures, be encouraged to listen to concerns of players and take their complaints seriously. All current and potential Managers/Coaches shall consent to be screened as to their suitability to work with children as specified by the FAI Child Protection guidelines. Knocklyon United FC will emphasise to all members that they have a duty to report to the Designated Person any concerns they have over the possible abuse of children. This duty also applies to concerns they might have about a colleague. The Club will provide guidance to anyone who makes a report of suspected abuse and they will be fully supported when voicing these concerns.
Definition of Child Abuse Neglect:
The neglect of a child or the failure to protect a child from any kind of danger including exposure to cold and rain. Physical Abuse: Actual or likely sexual exploitation of a child where a person involves a child in any activity that leads to their own or others sexual gratification. This might involve intercourse, touching, exposure of sexual organs, showing of pornographic material or talking in an erotic way. Emotional Abuse: Failure to exhibit care and attention, particularly where a child is threatened, taunted or shouted at and as a consequence leads to loss of self-esteem and confidence. Similarly, undermining a child by ignoring effort or progress.
Guidance to Promote Good Practice:
The following guidelines are suggested to Managers/Coaches in an attempt to reduce situations, which could lead to the abuse of children as well as attempting to protect those who are working with children and young people. Always try to work with children and young people in the open and public view. With very young children, where possible, try to encourage parents to take responsibility for their children in the changing rooms. It is possible that a Manager/Coach might have to help young children with undressing, changing and dressing. Such tasks should only be carried out after discussion and consent of the player and parents. Always ensure Managers/Coaches work in pairs when children have to be supervised in the changing rooms. Always try to develop a climate, which discourages the criticising of those who are seen as having less ability. Always try to take steps to challenge bullying and always listen to complaints from team members who feel that they are being bullied. Always try to avoid being alone in a car with a child/young person. Sometimes this will be unavoidable but try to make sure the child/young person sits in the back of the car. Always try to avoid taking a child/young person home with you, especially if they would be alone with a Manager/Coach. It is advisable that Managers/Coaches identify who will be collecting a child/young person following a match or training session. Managers/Coaches should take steps to know who will care for a child/young person if his parents are not at home when the child is returned home following a match or training session.
All above is superseded by the Code of Ethics and Good Practice for Children’s Sport as directed by The Irish Sports Council and supported by the FAI.
Anti-Bullying Policy:
It is vital that everyone within the club understands that Bullying will not be tolerated and that the following conditions must be met. In being confronted with a possible case of bullying all Managers/Coaches must be prepared to: Take the problem seriously. Investigate the incident. Talk to the bullies and victims separately. Decide on an appropriate action such as: Obtain an apology from the bully to victim. Inform parents of the bully. Encourage/support the bully to change his behaviour. Impose sanctions against bullies up to and including dismissal.
Child Protection Advice for Players:
You are entitled to be safe, to be treated with dignity, sensitivity and respect, experience competition and the desire to win as a positive and healthy outcome of striving for best performance. Be happy, have fun and enjoy soccer. Comment and make suggestions in an appropriate and constructive manner. Be listened to. Be believed.
Smoking policy:
No smoking is permitted in Knocklyon United FC Clubhouses/Changing facilities or any Clubhouses/Changing facilities used by Knocklyon United FC for home or away fixtures. We ask managers/coaches and parents to be mindful of children when smoking and to refrain from smoking directly on the side line during matches.
Please, never hesitate in contacting any officer of Knocklyon United FC regarding issues relating to the welfare or well-being of the children.
You will find all of the current Club Officers and Committee member’s details on our website.