|
CHILD PROTECTION POLICY - A DUTY, NOT A CHOICE
Sport plays a key part in the positive development of physical, emotional, social and personal skills amongst young people.
In all sports and physical activities, coaches and clubs have an important role to play, both in developing young people and their sporting skills.
COVE BOYS CLUB CHILD PROTECTION POLICY STATEMENT
Cove Boys Club's policy statement is as follows:
Every child or young person, who plays or participates in football at Cove Boys Club, will be able to take part in an enjoyable and safe environment and be protected from abuse.
This is the responsibility of all coaches, members, volunteers, parents and those officially recognized by and associated with the Club.
Cove Boys Club recognizes its responsibility to safeguard the welfare of all the children and young people belonging to the Club, by protecting them from physical, sexual and emotional harm and from neglect or bullying.
The Club is determined to meet its obligation, to ensure that it does so to the highest possible standard of care.
The key principles underpinning this policy are:
• The child's welfare is and must always be the paramount consideration.
• All suspicions and allegations of abuse will be taken seriously and responded to swiftly and appropriately.
• The Club ensures that all our coaches and volunteers are carefully selected and are trained, monitored and supported.
• Cove Boys Club has appointed a Committee Member, who will take specific responsibility for child safety matters and who will be responsible for dealing with concerns at the club.
• The club will review the effectiveness of its Child Protection Policy and activities each year, at its Annual General Meeting.
• Training and development will be organised and continually monitored by the appointed member. This will ensure that all coaches can demonstrate best practice and promote ethics and high standards, within the area of child protection at Cove Boys Club.
The Child Protection Committee Member is Gary Thomson.
The role of this Committee Member is to:
• ensure that the Scottish Football Association's regulations on child protection are upheld and practiced by the Club.
• work in partnership with children and young people of the Club and their parents, in accordance with the Club's policy and procedures.
• Receive child protection training and subsequently deliver within the Club. This training will allow the appointed Member and coaches involved in the supervision of children, to ensure that the correct action is taken if there are any concerns about the welfare of any child or young person associated with Cove Boys Club.
Non action is not an option in Child Protection
Most people find this subject intimidating and frightening. We want to reassure people that all the procedures and policies are to ensure that children and young people have fun in a safe environment.
Last Updated: 14th September 2006
------------------------------------------------------------------- COVE BOYS CLUB - CLUB CONSTITUTION.
(1) NAME.
The Club shall be called “Cove Boys Club”.
(2) OBJECTIVE.
The objective of the Club shall be to promote the enjoyment of football for all children from the age of seven and upwards, in an environment that fosters skill, fair play, and shall encourage the acceptance of rules and decisions, personal responsibility, and the need for teamwork.
(3) MEMBERSHIP.
(i) Membership shall be open to various age groups from the earliest entry of 8’s through to 19’s.
(ii) The age groups that shall participate during each season shall be advised by the Committee during May, June, or July, preceding the start of the new football season.
(iii) The age of members participating within each age group shall be as that defined within the Scottish Youth Football Association Constitution. In accordance with the SYFA ruling of 1st January, whatever age a player is, on or before 31st December of the year that the football season commences, then they are eligible to play within that age group.
(iv) All members shall play within the age groups as described within item (iii). Only in exceptional circumstances shall members play outwith these age groups. Such circumstances will require verification through a Committee discussion.
(v) The Club shall seek to attract Team Coaches and Assistant Coaches who will have the interests of the members first and foremost, who will comply with the Cove Boys Club Code of Conduct and are committed to the objectives contained within this Constitution.
(vi) Opportunities will be made available to Team Coaches and Assistant Coaches to enhance their own coaching skills by attending coaching certificate courses approved by the Scottish Football Association. Financial subsidies will be made available to attend such courses.
(vii) All members and coaches shall abide by the rules as set out within this Constitution.
(viii) All Members shall be subject to the payment of an Annual Club Registration Fee that shall be set for the forthcoming season by the Annual General Meeting. The payment of the fee shall be made by each member in one or two installments. Fee payments must be made by the start of the Juvenile Football season. Only in exceptional circumstances shall the Annual Registration Fee be made in more than one or two installments. Such arrangements shall be agreed with the relevant Team Coach and the member and shall remain confidential. Non-payment of fees by the agreed dates may result in the cancellation of membership.
(viiii) Membership can be terminated at any time during the football season at the discretion of the Team Coach or the Club Committee. Such decisions must have a valid reason and this reason must be disseminated to the member involved. For members under the age of sixteen years consultation must take place with the member’s parents prior to any termination of membership being advised to the member involved. In such cases the committee must be fully informed that the correct procedure detailed above has been followed. Members whose membership is terminated during the football season will be entitled to a rebate of their annual fee on a pro-rata basis of the number of fixtures his team has remaining that season.
(4) OFFICIALS & COMMITTEE.
(i) The Club Committee shall comprise of the following personnel:
Chairman, (Fixed term of no more than 3 years).
Vice-Chairman, (Fixed term of no more than 3 years).
Secretary & Assistant Secretary, (No fixed term).
Treasurer, (No fixed term).
Parents Representative(s), (No fixed term).
Football Development Team Manager, (No fixed term).
Team Representative from each of the participating teams, (One Representative only - No fixed term).
Should the designated Team Representative from any team be unable to attend a meeting, he can nominate a replacement by informing the Secretary. The replacement must be a Team Coach, Assistant Coach, or administrative helper within the team.
The designated Team Representatives for the current season are listed at Appendix 1.
(ii) The primary objective of the Committee members shall be to ensure that the Constitution of the Club is being adhered to, and that the Club is run on a sound commercial basis.
(iii) Should the Chairman, Vice-Chairman, Secretary, Assistant Secretary or Treasurer also be a nominated team representative he or she shall act as their one representative at Committee meetings.
(iv) Should any of the officials or Team Representatives feel that the Committee should be increased, due to specific circumstances; this should be proposed to the other Committee members for their acceptance.
(v) The Committee shall act and make decisions on the best overall interests of the Club, and no bias shall be taken by individual members, through the process of agreeing on such decisions. Should a subject fail to meet a unanimous decision, a majority vote by the designated Committee Members shall be final.
(vi) The Committee shall meet, as a minimum, on the first Monday of every month excluding January, July, and August to review:
(a) The Financial Status
(b) Team News
(c) Future Club Development
(d) Fund Raising
(e) Additional items can be added to the Monthly Meeting agenda in addition to AOB.
(vii) Should any matters arise between meeting dates that a Committee member feels should be attended to urgently, an Extraordinary Meeting can be called by that Committee member, who shall inform the other attendees of the subject and date of meeting through the Secretary or Assistant Secretary.
(viii) The Chairman of the Club has the authority to call an extra-ordinary meeting consisting only of the elected officials to discuss club matters that he deems requires their urgent attention. This course of action can only be taken when the urgency dictates that the timescale is too short to call a full committee meeting. The Chairman alone shall decide what constitutes “urgent”. All such meetings should then be discussed in full at the next available Monthly Meeting of the full committee.
(viiii) An Annual General Meeting shall be arranged, and the date and venue circulated to all members’ parents or guardians prior to each football season. All parents and guardians are welcome to attend.
(5) TEAM MATTERS.
(i) Within each team, the responsibility for training, fixture organisation, and all team selection shall ultimately be that of the team coach or coaches, who shall also have the right to delegate certain of these responsibilities to one or more Assistant Coaches or Administrative Assistants.
(6) DISCIPLINE.
(i) The basis of all discipline within the Club shall be founded upon the details contained in the Cove Boys Club Code of Conduct, (see Appendix 2). There will also be principles of self-regulation within each team, which should be clearly stated by team coaches to the players/members under their guidance.
(ii) Team Coaches and Assistant Coaches shall have the responsibility of ensuring that all coaches and player members, during training and at matches adhere to the Cove Boys Club Code of Conduct. Additionally spectators supporting Cove Boys Club at matches must also adhere to the Cove Boys Club Code of Conduct.
(iii) Members should initially be advised by Team Coaches, what level of conduct is expected, and, what actions will be taken, should individuals not obtain these levels.
(iv) The Team Coaches shall have the right to temporarily suspend the membership of a player/member, and will advise the player and their parents or guardians the reason for such actions.
(v) Should a disciplinary matter arise, that the Team Coach feels merits the cancellation of an individual membership, then this should be discussed with the Committee. A meeting with the member’s parent or guardian will then be offered, with the Team Coach and a Club Official or Committee Member in attendance. At this meeting the reasons for such cancellation of membership shall be clearly stated.
(vi) Payment of all monetary fines imposed by the Aberdeen & District Juvenile Football Association for bookings and/or sending-off due to “dissent by word or action” will be the responsibility of the player or coach who has been reported. Any player or coach consistently receiving fines or suspensions for “dissent by word or action” from the Association may have his membership/involvement with Cove Boys Club terminated at any time subject to discussion and unanimous agreement by the Cove Boys Club committee. Player’s payment of fines will be at the discretion of the team coach and coaches fines will be discussed and at the discretion of the Cove Boys Club committee.
(7) ADMINISTRATION.
(i) The Secretary and/or Assistant Secretary shall be responsible for the collection and distribution of all mail addressed to the Club.
(ii) The Secretary and/or Assistant Secretary shall be responsible for the arranging of meetings, including agenda’s, meeting notes, and action points.
(iii) The Club financial year shall run from 1st of June to 31st of May or as close to the date of the AGM as possible.
(iv) The Treasurer shall be responsible for Club finances and shall maintain a monthly Statement of Accounts that shall be available at all Committee meetings. At the Annual General Meeting, an Annual Statement of Accounts shall be made available to all members’ parents or guardians.
(v) The Parents Representative(s) shall have responsibility for being a liaison between players, parents, team coaches, officials, and committee members. They shall be responsible for reporting any player or team issues to the team coach concerned or to the committee at the normal monthly meeting. If any issue is deemed to be urgent the Parents Representative(s) shall report such instances to the Chairman, Secretary, or Assistant Secretary as they see fit. Parent’s Representative(s) shall also be responsible for involvement in fundraising activities, and for the organisation of community and fundraising events.
(vi) The Football Development Team Manager shall have responsibility for overseeing and implementing the “Aims and Objectives” of Cove Boys Club and also for ensuring that all CBC teams adhere to the Cove Boys Club “Code of Conduct” and “Playing Policy”.
(8) GENERAL.
This Constitution shall only be altered at the democratic vote of the Committee and members parents or guardians at the forum of the Annual General Meeting.
Issue 1 dated 1st January 1997.
Amended 1st September 1998.
Amended 1st September 1999.
Amended 1st September 2000.
Amended 1st September 2001.
Amended 1st September 2002.
Amended 19th August 2003.
Amended 28th May 2004.
Amended 26th May 2005.
Amended 23rd May 2006. -------------------------------------------------------------------
Appendix 1. - COVE BOYS CLUB COMMITTEE & TEAM REPRESENTATIVES 2006-2007.
TEAM COMMITTEE REPS. Chairman Gary Thomson 895301
Vice-Chairman VACANCY
Secretary Donald Smith 877111
Asst Secretary Colin Hird 897750
Treasurer Graham Craig 873414
TD Manager Jim Gow 680939
Parents Reps Debra Coe, Jill Cuthbert,Jackie Dawson, Lesley MacDougal.
8’s - Malcolm O'Hara
9’s - Ludie Barrack
9’s Utd - Neil Cran
10’s - Rob Sinclair 878211
10’s Utd - Jim Watson
11’s - Keith Fowler 897383
11’s Utd - Larry Hewitson 872538
11’s Colts - Alan Forrest 871764
12’s - Allan Dow 897966
12’s Utd - Steve Chapla 899296
13's - Graeme Watt 899002
14’s - Graeme Mathieson 894738
14’s Utd - Len Ross 897522
15’s - Willie Sutherland 898796
16’s - Gary Thomson 895301
17’s - No Squad
19’s - Charlie Ewen ------------------------------------------------------------------- Appendix 2 - Cove Boys Club - Code of Conduct.
Code of Conduct – Members/Players.
Your Rights - What Members/Players can expect from Cove Boys Club.
Cove Boys Club is committed to:
• Providing you with a safe environment for coaching sessions and matches.
• Providing you with SFA qualified coaches who will organise your squad, your coaching sessions, and your matches.
• Providing Physiotherapy treatment for football related injuries when deemed necessary by your coach to an agreed level.
• Providing you with a high standard of kit for coaching sessions and matches.
• Providing you with as a high a standard as is available of coaching and playing facilities.
• Providing you with fully qualified first aid facilities at coaching sessions and at matches.
Your Responsibilities - What Cove Boys Club expects from all Members/Players.
Cove Boys Club expects Members/Players to:
• Maintain a high standard of appearance, punctuality, and manner at all coaching sessions and matches. The wearing of jewellery is not permitted for the safety of all concerned.
• Use and take care of all Cove Boys Club kit issued to them for coaching sessions and matches. Players should always attend coaching sessions and matches with clean football boots/trainers.
• Advise their coach if they are unavailable for a coaching session or match.
• Refrain from using bad language, spitting, fighting, or displaying dissent at coaching sessions or matches.
• Any player who consistently has a bad discipline record with match officials will be expected to pay their own ADJFA fines and may be subject to expulsion from Cove Boys Club.
• Refrain from any behavior that will disrupt the coach or other players at coaching sessions and matches.
• Refrain from questioning match officials decisions during or after matches.
• At all times display a high level of respect to all Cove Boys Club coaches, officials, match officials, teammates, and opponents.
• Take good care of their membership card and adhere to all of his/her responsibilities stated in the Cove Boys Club “Code of Conduct”.
Code of Conduct – Coaches
Your Rights - What Coaches can expect from Cove Boys Club.
Cove Boys Club is committed to:
• Providing you with the relevant equipment required for coaching sessions and matches.
• Providing you with clothing for coaching sessions and matches subject to an agreed contribution in certain circumstances.
• Providing you annually with a copy of the most up to date version of the Cove Boys Club Constitution including the “Code of Conduct” appendix.
• Providing you with indoor or outdoor training facilities from October to March.
• Assisting you with discipline matters that are raised with the Cove Boys Club Committee.
• Assisting you with any coaching related matters that you raise with the Cove Boys Club Committee.
• Meeting all costs for your attendance at SFA approved Coaching Courses up to SFA Coaching Structure Level 3.
Your Responsibilities - What Cove Boys Club expects from all Coaches.
Cove Boys Club expects all Coaches to:
• Maintain a high standard of appearance, punctuality, and manner at all coaching sessions and matches.
• Maintain a high standard of personal discipline and show your squad a good example of behavior at all coaching sessions and matches.
• Refrain from questioning match officials decisions during and after matches and to show match officials, players, opponents, and opposing officials a high level of respect.
• Maintain a high standard of discipline within their squad.
• Comply with the “Playing Policy” set out in the Constitution of Cove Boys Club.
• Attend as many coaching sessions and matches as possible.
• Arrange for a substitute to attend coaching sessions or matches when you are unavailable.
• Comply with the Constitution of Cove Boys Club, the SYFA, and the ADJFA regarding player registrations, discipline, and match arrangements.
• Attend SFA Coaching Courses up to Level 3 within a two-year period of joining Cove Boys Club.
• Provide players with contact details for all coaches working with your squad.
Code of Conduct – Parents/Spectators
Your Rights - What Parents/Spectators can expect from Cove Boys Club.
Cove Boys Club is committed to:
• Providing you with a copy of the most up to date version of the Cove Boys Club Constitution on request.
• Providing your child with a membership card and a copy of the most up to date version of the Cove Boys Club “Code of Conduct” when he/she joins Cove Boys Club.
• Providing your child with a safe environment for coaching sessions and matches.
• Providing your child with SFA qualified coaches who will organise all matters relating to their squad.
• Providing you with contact details of Cove Boys Club officials and coaches within their squad.
• Providing your child with fully qualified first aid facilities at coaching sessions and at matches.
• Providing you with a “Parents Representative” who will act as a Liaison for any issue you feel cannot be raised directly with you child’s coach or a Cove BC official.
• Dealing with any enquiry from parents that are raised with the Cove Boys Club Committee, in a prompt and efficient manner.
Your Responsibilities - What Cove Boys Club expects from all Parents/Spectators.
Cove Boys Club expects Parents/Spectators to:
• Ensure their child attends all coaching sessions and matches at the times stated by their coach.
• Ensure their child advises their coach if they are unavailable for a coaching session or match.
• Refrain from any interruptions that will disrupt the coach or other players at coaching sessions or matches. This includes coaching instructions directed at their child or their teammates during matches. The coaches are the only people at matches who should coach the players.
• Encourage their child and their team during matches but to refrain from any form of criticism to individuals or their team.
• Refrain from questioning match officials decisions during and after matches and to show match officials a high level of respect.
• Maintain as far as possible a mutually acceptable working relationship with all Cove Boys Club coaches working in your child’s age group/team. -------------------------------------------------------------------
Appendix 3 – Cove Boys Club Playing Policy.
9’s – 12’s Playing Policy
• Cove Boys Club squads in the above age groups will participate in small-sided trophy free fixtures.
• Cove Boys Club will, as far as is possible comply with the guidelines laid down by the SFA, SYFA, AFC, and the ADJFA regarding small-sided fixtures.
• Cove Boys Club will endeavor not to exceed seven players in any small-sided fixture.
• 12’s teams may participate in eleven a side friendly fixtures in the immediate months leading up to their advancement into the 13’s Juvenile age group.
• All players in each of the above age groups will complete the season having participated in a similar if not equal number of games. If the number of players in a squad determines that a rotation system is required then it will be implemented in such a way that each member/player is given equal opportunities at the young age groups to develop their football skills to their full potential.
• Due to weather conditions and uncertainty from season to season as to fixture details it is impossible to quote the exact number of games that will be played. Cove Boys Club will however ensure that players in the above age groups do not get over exposed to too many matches.
13’s – 19’s Playing Policy
• Cove Boys Club squads in the above age groups will participate in eleven a side Juvenile fixtures where deemed appropriate by the coaches of each team.
• Team selection for the above age groups will be the sole responsibility of the age group coaches. Team selection will be based on ability and for tactical reasons. Coaches within each age group may also base team selection on recent performances as well as commitment and behaviour at coaching sessions. The team coach will be the sole arbiter on who will play in each match and in what position.
• In age groups where a multiple team structure is in place coaches will strictly adhere to the protocol involved with players moving from one Cove Boys Club team to another. At least one meeting will be required between the coaches concerned to determine if a player should be transferred from one Cove Boys Club team to another. The agreement of both coaches is required before any internal transfer can take place. After agreement between the coaches has been established the parents and the player involved should be fully informed of the proposed transfer. The player and the parents involved will make the final decision with regard to the transfer. No pressure whatsoever will be applied by any coach with regard to a proposed transfer. Coaches should only suggest that a transfer take place if it is in the best interests in the development of a particular player. The full committee will resolve any transfer disputes and their decision will be final in all cases. The Secretary and full committee of the Club must be kept fully informed of any proposed transfers within Cove Boys Club.
------------------------------------------------------------------- Appendix 4 - Cove Boys Club Aims & Objectives.
The aims and objectives of Cove Boys Club are as follows –
• The main objective of the Club shall be to promote the enjoyment of football for all children from the age of seven and upwards, in an environment that fosters skill, fair play, and shall encourage the acceptance of rules and decisions, personal responsibility, and the need for teamwork.
• To involve as many children as possible between the ages of seven and nineteen years of age in football related activities.
• To promote the small-sided game for children of 12 years of age and under that are learning the basics of the game of football.
• To promote the good sportsmanship of all players, coaches, and spectators, connected with Cove Boys Club.
• To encourage as much community involvement as possible in football related activities with Cove Rangers Football Club, Cove Thistle AFC, and other community organisations.
• To develop the football skills of all our members and to help them reach their full potential in football terms.
• To coach our players to a very high standard and help them reach the highest grade of football possible when they cease their membership of Cove Boys Club.
• To coach our coaches to a very high standard and help them achieve the highest level possible of football coaching available in Scottish football. |
Constitution
