Code of Conduct

Codes of Conduct, including Child Protection Policy and Data Protection Policy

Aims and Objectives:

The aim of Beechwood Football Club is to provide all players at our club with great opportunities to develop their footballing ability to its full potential. This will be achieved with the full co-operation of Players and Parents with Managers/Coaches, 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. Create a safe and enjoyable environment in which to train and play.
  2. All coaches/managers must successfully complete the Garda Vetting process.
  3. Make a personal commitment to keep yourself informed on sound coaching principles and methods – and on the principles of growth and development of young people. All coaches/managers should obtain the minimum levels of FAI Kick start 1 & Kick start 2 or an appropriate alternative.
  4. Remember that young people need a coach/manager whom they can respect. Lead by example.
  5. Teach your players that the rules of the game are mutual agreements which no one should evade or break. Develop player and team respect for the ability of opponents, as well as for the judgement of referees and opposing coaches.
  6. Be generous in your praise when it is deserved. Never ridicule or shout at players for making mistakes or losing a match. Insist on fair play and disciplined play. Do not tolerate fouls, fighting or foul language. Be prepared to take off an offending player. Ensure that all your players know that bullying, whether verbal or physical will not be tolerated.
  7. Never criticize the referee or assistant referee during or after a match. Always thank the match officials – and, if they have made a decision which requires clarification, discuss the matter at an appropriate time after the match.
  8. Remember that young players play for fun and enjoyment – and that skill, learning and playing for fun have priority over highly structured competition. Winning is not the only or even the main objective. Set realistic goals for the team and individual players. Do not over burden younger players with too much information. Do not push young players into adult-like competitions. Please be reasonable in your demands on the players’ time, energy and enthusiasm – remember that they have other interests and demands on their time.
  9. Encourage young players to develop basic skills and sportsmanship. Avoid over specialization in positional play during their formative years.
  10. Follow the advice of a doctor/physiotherapist in determining when an injured player is ready to play again. Ensure that you have “in case of emergency” contact details for all players’ parents /guardians.
  11. Ensure the proper equipment and facilities are available at all times. On match days you are responsible for the setting up and securely putting away the goals, nets, corner flags. Ensure that you arrange the marking of your designated pitch if it is required. Liaise with the teams playing before or after you to share the work if appropriate. After use, ensure that all facilities are left securely locked and safe.
  12. Support the Club in the collection of the annual subs and where possible support the Club’s fundraising activities.

Code of Conduct for Players

  1. Players must maintain a high level of respect for the Club and for all those involved in the game, including:
    • coaches/managers and fellow players
    • the opposition coaches and players. At the end of the match accept the result  in a sporting manner and shake hands with the opposition.
    • referees and other match / league officials. Never dispute a decision of match official.
    • their parents/guardians.
  2. Abide by the Laws of the Game at all times. And remember, bad language or bullying of any kind is not acceptable.
  3. Always have commitment to Beechwood FC and take pride in your performance – do your best. And enjoy playing and training with the Club and your fellow players.
  4. Arrive on time for coaching and match days.
  5. Take good care of your gear and wear the correct Beechwood FC kit on match days.

Code of Conduct for Parents

  1. Young people are involved in sport for their enjoyment – help your child enjoy the game. Teach young children that honest endeavour is as important as winning so that the result of each game is accepted without disappointment. Do not place emphasis on winning at all costs. 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.
  2. Encourage your child always to play by the laws of the game and to show respect to all those involved in the game (their coaches and fellow players, the opposition coaches and players and the referee/match officials).
  3. Ensure that your child arrives on time for training and games – and wears the correct Beechwood FC kit on match days and when representing the Club.
  4. Help young people to work towards skill improvement – practise at home.
  5. We ask that parents/guardians follow a “One Voice” policy – and that voice is the coach’s. This is to ensure that the children listen to their coaches and are also given the freedom to make their own decisions. Too many voices giving conflicting messages from the sidelines will only confuse the children and reduce both the fun and learning.
  6. Set a good example by applauding good play on both sides. Never ridicule, humiliate or shout at young players for making a mistake or losing a match.
  7. As a spectator, do not question the referee’s judgement or honesty. 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. Support all efforts to remove verbal and physical abuse from sport.
  8. Recognise the value and importance of volunteer referees and coaches. They give of their time and resources to provide recreational activities for young people. Say thanks after the game!
  9. Do not go onto the playing pitches unless you are asked to by a coach/manager. Please obey the “Don’t Cross the Line” rule at any pitches that adhere to this system.
  10. No unnecessary contact with other children unless you are asked by a coach/manage.
  11. Offer assistance to the coach/manager with the setting up and taking down of equipment, before and after a game.
  12. Pay your child’s subs on time and where possible support the Club’s fundraising events.

Remember: Coaches Coach – Players Play – Parents Spectate & Encourage!!!

Child Protection Policy

Beechwood FC believes that 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 responsibility 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 members of the Club: All Managers/Coaches must know the Club’s policy and procedures, and must listen to any concerns of players or parents and take any complaints seriously. All current and potential Managers/Coaches shall be screened as to their suitability to work with children as specified by the FAI Child Protection guidelines.

The Club is committed to the Child Welfare policy developed by the FAI, which can be found on its website: http://www.fai.ie/domestic/safeguarding/fai-child-welfare-policy. Without limitation, Coaches must in particular review and adopt the Guidelines for interaction between adults and children set out in Section 11 of the Policy.

All members have a duty to report to the Child Protection Officer 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 fully support anyone who makes a report of suspected abuse and will fully and promptly investigate and resolve the matter.

Please, never hesitate in contacting any officer of Beechwood FC regarding issues relating to the general well-being or welfare of the children. You will find contact details for members of the Committee of the Club in the ‘Contact Us’ section of our website.

Smoking Policy

Smoking is not permitted in Beechwood FC Clubhouses/Changing facilities or any Clubhouses/Changing facilities used by Beechwood 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.

Data Protection Policy

The Club has a legitimate interest in acquiring, processing and holding data about players and parents/coaches, including (without limitation)
• Players: name and date of birth
• Parents/Coaches: name, email and telephone numbers.

The Club will use reasonable endeavours, commensurate with its standing as a community Club run by volunteers, to protect the confidentiality of such data. The Club may share data about players and parents/coaches internally for the purposes of running the Club. The Club will not share data about players and parents/coaches with other bodies, except as may be required for the proper functioning of the Club (for example, data about players may be shared with the South Dublin Football League or other leagues or bodies of which the Club is a member and data about coaches may be used for the purposes of Garda Vetting and related processes).

Player and Parent data is also held by EPP, who provide the online system through which Club subscriptions are paid. Please refer to the Security Policy of EPP for further information, available via the “Pay your Subs” tab on the Club website.

Breaches of the Codes of Conduct

Any breaches or suspected breaches of the Club’s Codes of Conduct should be brought to the attention of the Committee. Matters relating to Child Welfare should be reported directly to the Child Protection Officer. The Committee (or a sub-committee thereof or, if relevant, the CPO) will investigate any reported breaches of the Codes and determine what action if any is required. The Committee may impose such penalties on those committing a breach of the Codes as it decides is appropriate in the circumstances, including temporary suspension from or termination of playing or coaching roles and/or membership of the Club. The Club reserves the right to escalate the investigation of serious cases to third parties, including the FAI and/or the Gardaí.