Club Procedures

Club Procedures

CLUB PROCEDURES AND THE ROLE OF PARENTS

 

Training Nights

 

All players are expected to train every week.  This is essential for obvious reasons.  Training night is not only for developing skills it is also an important opportunity for rectifying errors from the previous match.  Also, important match day information is given out at training sessions as well as other club news.

 

If a player cannot attend a training session for any reason then he must make contact with the club, through the appropriate channels (usually his Group Coach) as soon as possible BEFORE training.

 

If a player is injured he will normally be directed to attend the centres Sport Injury Clinic by his group Coach, this will normally take place on the training night.  He will be required to attend the centres physio then he will be expected to attend sessions to report his progress to his age group Coach and observe the session.

 

Players who are registered as ‘injured’ must observe the instructions given by the centres physio.  This is in the best interests of the player since playing is likely to aggravate the situation and inevitable prolong the period on non-playing.

 

Match Days

 

Players will be given final match day arrangements on training night.  All home games will be played at Cheltenham Town Training Ground, Seasons Leisure Centre and Kick Off is at 11.00am.  Players will be informed of the time to report to their age group Coach on match days and this must be strictly followed, lateness creates a bad impression and it is poor preparation for a match.

 

On match days, players must arrive smartly dressed in their tracksuits or collar and tie. This sets a standard that we believe develops the right attitude in players, so please make every effort to uphold this standard. 

 

When players report to their Coach either on match days or at a training session they are from that moment representing the Club.  From this point, parents should refrain from further contact until the group Coach has dismissed the Team.  Players need to concentrate on the business of playing the game according to the Coach’s expectations and this can only be done when all players are properly focused.  On match days, players and officials will be together on the opposite side of the soccer pitch to parents and spectators.

 

Please ensure that your son prepares well for match days.  This includes preparing his playing kit, getting enough sleep particularly on the night before a match and eating well.  On match days, players should eat a breakfast (preferably 2 hours before kick off) and they should bring their own drinks and some ‘high energy food’ (chocolate bars etc) to the game and a packed lunch for after the game. It is important however that players do not overeat as this may well cause problems on the pitch.  Finally, a few do’s and don’ts:

 

·         Do give positive encouragement to your son; talk to your son about his progress; make contact with the Club if you have any concerns. 

 

·         Don’t make negative comments about your son’s play or that of the team; don’t give your son playing instructions (they may contradict the group Coach’s); don’t be impatient if success isn’t quickly apparent, skill development sometimes seems to go in reserve before it goes forward.

 

COMPLAINTS PROCEDURE

 

Complaints Procedure – Parents and Players

 

This section within the Code of Practice is to bring to the attention to both player and parent the Complaints Procedure that will be adopted should the parent/player or Club need to address a complaint against either party.  Elsewhere in this document are Rules and a Set Code of Conduct, intended to give players/parents a framework in which to develop a strong and positive attitude.

 

Procedures for complaints against members of staff are clearly defined within this document.

 

Complaints and Disciplinary Policy (Player/Parent/Guardian)

 

The purpose of this document is to establish a complaints and discipline policy, which will give a structure and course of action to be taken in the event of a complaint being received about a player/parent.  This policy is required in order to comply with the rules and recommendations of the Football League in relation to Youth Development.

 

Player/Parent

 

The policy shall apply to all players/Parents or Guardians or third parties who may represent the player.

 

All staff will be served with a copy of the complaints policy upon appointment.

 

Complaint

 

A complaint shall be any complaint made about the conduct of any player/parent/guardian whilst undertaking any activity or business.

 

The complaint may be made by:

Any other players

Any parent or guardian of another player

Any member of public

Any other member of the Football Club

Any other person on behalf of those above

 

Complaints may be made in person or in writing to any staff member.  Anonymous complaints in writing will be accepted.

 

Any staff member who receives a complaint must inform a member of the discipline panel.  The complaint may relate to any in-appropriate language or behaviour or any conduct detrimental to the well being and reputation of Cheltenham Town Football Club.

 

Hearing Process

 

The hearing shall consist of the discipline panel (3 members) and the voluntary attendance of the complainant and or their representative, the person subject of the complaint and or their representative.

If a person subject of a complaint or their representative declines to attend any panel hearing the hearing shall continue in their absence.

 

 

Outcome

 

(a)   Where a complaint is upheld against or admitted to by player/guardian the following options may be open to the panel.

 

(b)     Informal resolution

 

(c)     Recorded verbal warning

 

(d)     Recorded written warning

 

For any of the options to be considered all the panel members must be in agreement with the findings and the outcome.

 

The outcome of all panel meetings shall be recorded in the complaints register.  All parties concerned in the complaint shall receive written notice of the outcome within 7 days of the finding being made.

Previous punishments/sanctions imposed by the panel hearing shall be taken into account when considering new punishment/sanctions.

 

Performance shall not be subject to the complaints procedure but shall be dealt with by the Head of Youth Development.  Any conduct of a criminal nature that places during football activities or business shall be referred to the appropriate authority.  Any conduct of a criminal nature that takes place whilst not on Club activities or business shall be considered by the disciplinary panel.

 

Disciplinary Panel

 

The disciplinary panel shall consist of 3 appointed staff members.

 

Recording

 

All complaints received shall be recorded in a register held at the Youth Development office.  The register will be kept secure but open to scrutiny from Football League assessors and panel members.  The register shall contain the complainant details and also the details of the person complained about, the person to whom the complaint was made and the outcome of any subsequent panel meeting.

 

Notification

 

Where a player/parent/guardian is the subject of a complaint the member will be notified in writing within 7 days of the complaint being made.

 

Resolution

 

When a complaint is considered by the disciplinary panel, a decision shall be made as to the further conduct of that complaint.  The further conduct shall consist of

 

(a) No further action

(b) To investigate the matter through a panel hearing

(c) To refer the matter to a higher authority

 

 

 

Approaches to Players

 

The Centre of Excellence operates complaints and grievance procedure and all matters relating to this will be recorded and dealt with in a correct and appropriate manner.  Any persons concerned will be notified of the outcome of all grievance complaints.

 

This document is outlined in two parts           

 

Part One Informal Approaches to Players

 

Part Two                Complaints and Discipline Policy Youth Development Staff

                                                (part two issued in Coach’s guidance book)

 

Part One Informal Approaches to Players

 

Informal approach to age group coach.  Should an informal approach be made to an age group coach the approach should be logged in the age group incident book and club coach concerned to make official contact with the Head of Youth Development.

 

Formal Approach via Head of Youth Development

 

Should a formal approach be received via the Head of Youth Development for a registered player.  A request will be made to the Club concerned to place their enquiry for the player in writing.  Upon