Managers, Coaches and Mentors are critical to the establishment of good practices in football. Their attitude to the game directly informs the attitude of the players under their supervision. Coach/Mentors must speak and act in a manner consistent with this reality.  Children are meant to have fun at Leixlip United AFC and it is the responsibility of the managers and coaches to provide the environment. At Leixlip United AFC, children will gain new friends, confidence, technical football skills, and great memories.

Our Coaches and Managers are key to the establishment of good ethics in football and their concept of ethics and their attitudes directly affects the behaviour and attitude of players under their supervision. They are expected to pay close attention to the moral aspects of their general conduct and to ensure it is consistent with the Club Ethos and in line with FAI Guidelines.

https://www.fai.ie/sites/default/files/atoms/files/FAI_code_of_conduct_for_coaches.pdf

Managers and Coaches Priorities
Even though most children and their respective Managers and/or Coaches would certainly prefer to be winning matches, it is important to acknowledge the best interests of children (especially at an early age). Managers and Coaches should provide a football environment that concentrates on improving and developing their football skills, allowing them to make friends and, above all, ensuring they have fun. 

At the schoolboy level (U11 and below), Managers and Coaches must separate themselves from the “winning at all costs” mentality. This approach inhibits player development and can lead to young players having a sense of frustration and failure.  The Clubs' methodology in this regard is consistent with FAI Guidelines for the development of young players which the Club fully supports.

The health, safety, welfare, moral education and skill development are Club priorities and MUST at all times be put before the achievement or reputation of any Manager and/or Coach.

Competitive games and leagues start at the Under 12 age.

IF YOU ARE MANAGING OR COACHING THE TEAM THAT IS THE LOWEST IN YOUR AGE GROUP DIVISION, YOU MUST ALLOW FOR FAIR GAME TIME FOR ALL OF THE CHILDREN THAT ARE TAKEN TO SATURDAY OR SUNDAY MATCH DAY.

Managers and Coaches should appreciate that children's reasons for playing football and their expectations and values are quite different from those of adults.

All Managers and Coaches are familiar with the Clubs policies. This allows our Managers and Coaches to understand and appreciate the expectations of the Club, the Schoolboy Committee, the Parents/Guardians and the Children:

• Players Code of Conduct
• Parents/Guardians & Spectators Code of Conduct
• Social Media Policy
• Child Safeguarding Policy
• Manager, Coaches and Volunteer Support Policy
• Reporting Procedures for Child Abuse Allegations & Concerns
• Bullying Policy & Guidelines
• Home and Away Pitch Awareness Policy
• Garda Vetting & Volunteer Recruitment

It is a legal requirement that anybody working in a voluntary capacity with children must first be Garda Vetted through the FAI. Garda Vetting application forms are available from the Club Child Protection Officer or the website of the FAI.

In addition, a Volunteer Registration form must be completed. These are available from the Volunteer Coordinator Team.

If you recruit somebody to help with your team, that person MUST be approved by the Executive Committee in advance. As with all volunteers they must first go through the Garda Vetting process. 

Please note: If you are not Garda Vetted through the FAI, you should not undertake any work in a paid or voluntary capacity with children or vulnerable persons in football in accordance with FAI Rule 75 and the National Vetting Bureau (Children and Vulnerable Persons) Acts 2012 to 2016.  

Coach Education & Development
Managers and Coaches are expected to develop their coaching skills by attending Coach Education Programmes from the FAI. The courses are age related and provide ideas and education on the FAIs training guidelines.

If Managers or Coaches require assistance in covering some of the charge to attend a course please talk in confidence to the Volunteer Coordinator Team.

During off peak season we periodically host training sessions from the FAI or from our own coaches at the Club grounds. Notification is given for these courses prior to the events.

The FAI Safeguarding 1 course is a mandatory course that has to be attended by all Managers and Coaches when it is available. This is one course that the Club hosts when necessary.

Ensuring Player Participation
IF YOU ARE MANAGING OR COACHING THE TEAM THAT IS THE LOWEST IN YOUR AGE GROUP DIVISION, YOU MUST ALLOW FOR FAIR GAME TIME FOR ALL OF THE CHILDREN THAT ARE TAKEN TO SATURDAY OR SUNDAY MATCH DAY.

Managers and Coaches must observe Roll on/Roll Off substitutes at all age levels.

The Club strongly discourages the use of permanent substitutes and advocates that all players should get minimum playing time, at least consistent with FAI player development guidelines. This includes all ages up to and including Under 11s.

In the interests of fair play the strongest team should not necessarily start every game.  It’s up to the Managers and Coaches to use their skills to field a combination of players at different stages of the game to achieve the best result making sure throughout that all players are treated fairly.

General Points
·         Managers and Coaches must be prepared to allow their players to move to other teams if it is felt by the Club to be in their best interests of the player’s future development.

·         Avoid dictating to players on the on the side line as this only undermines their confidence and hinders their development. Appropriate advice and guidance can be given at half-time.

·         Club Officials may seek assistance from Managers in collecting outstanding registration fees from time to time.

·         Resist the temptation to engage in verbal squabbles, inappropriate language or gestures with match officials, opposition teams or parents as it reflects badly on the Club. Ignore any that may arrive in your direction from the opposition.

·         Cooperate fully with any person the Club appoints to work with your players or team. (E.g. other coaches, and coordinators from the Executive Committee)

·         Never have player contact details or phone numbers stored or your phone or any other place. Managers and Coaches should have Parent or Guardian contact details only.

·         Managers and Coaches should avoid situations where they are asked to give a child a lift in their car unless accompanied by others for the full duration of the trip. Encourage parents and guardians to take full responsibility for travel arrangements for their child.

·         Respect the rights, dignity and worth of each and every player on their team, and treat each player equally.

·         Never close your dressing room door.

·         Ensure that the activities you advocate are appropriate for the age, maturity, experience & ability of your players.

·         First Aid Kits are available to Managers. If you do not have a First Aid Kit or you need to replenish an existing one please liaise with the Volunteer Coordinator.

·         If the weather changes during the game or training sessions, it is important that you assess the situation and evaluate if it is safe for the children to continue to train or play. Liaising with the referee on match day and considering the pitch status is essential during poor weather.

BREACHES OF CODES OF CONDUCT OR CLUB POLICIES WILL BE DEALT WITH THROUGH THE CLUBS DISCIPLINE AND APPEALS PROCEDURE, AND COULD RESULT IN OFFENDERS BEING SUSPENDED OR EXPELLED FROM THE CLUB.

Some Key Principles in Managing and Coaching
1.       Motivate your players positively – it builds their self-confidence and self-motivation.

2.       Praise and encourage your players and give them the freedom to express themselves.

3.       Let the players make their own decisions on the pitch. You have already coached and guided them before the game, at training sessions and also played training matches. Avoid constantly instructing them on what to do during a match. Coaches must accept that mistakes are part of the game and part of player learning and development.

4.       Focus on the quality of play (when attacking, defending and in transition) rather than on winning games.

5.       Set development goals on what you want to achieve with your team/players. For example, today we are focusing on attacking play, defending, closing down, maintaining possession, passing, keeping your heads up etc.

6.       Engage with your players by asking questions, getting their views and opinions. Talk and discussion will create awareness of their role.

7.       Use language that is simple and age appropriate.

8.       Demonstrate and participate in the training routines what you want them to do so they fully understand.

Match Day Protocol
Match results should be communicated to the schoolboy Secretary as soon as possible on the same day if asked for.

Two weeks’ notice must be given for game cancellations (max 2 per season)

Any incidents or accidents during games or training must be reported to the Club Secretary immediately. (E.g. managers/parents being sent from grounds by match officials, Red Cards, injuries to players or any other incident which the Executive Committee need to know about)

It is the Managers responsibility to ensure nets/corner flags are put up for games and taken down after games where appropriate and also to ensure goal posts are safe in accordance with FAI goal post regulations, When playing away, please check goal posts are securely staked down.

Travelling to Away Games
        When travelling with young people Managers/Coaches must:

1.       Ensure that you have adequate motor insurance cover in place.

2.       Not carry more than the permitted number of passengers.

3.       Ensure the use of safety belts & always keep to the rules of the road.

4.       Never travel alone with one player. 

5.       Never close your dressing room door

Dealing with Injuries
1.       Managers/Coaches should not treat injuries out of sight of others. Therefore, use a "Two-Deep" (two personnel, or two players) supervision system.

2.       Only personnel who are qualified in administering First Aid or treating sports injuries should attempt to treat an injury.

3.       The comfort level and dignity of the player should always take priority. Example: Only uncover the injured area, or cover private areas of the player’s body.

4.       Any doubts of a medical nature should be passed on to a suitably qualified medical person.

5.       Coaches must not play injured players.

6.       First Aid Kits should be taken to all games. These should be adequately stocked.

7.       Parents/Guardians should be notified of illness or injury which their children incur while participating in any Club activity.

8.       All incidents should be recorded on an "Incident Report Form" which is held in the club house

9.       Any series injuries suffered by players must be reported immediately to the Club Secretary.

10.   Managers/Coaches are asked to be familiar with the Club's Concussion Policy & Guidelines.