top of page
Let them play sign.jpeg

POLICIES

We take the welfare of our players incredibly seriously. Fair play and enjoyment of football is at the heart of our Ethos.  Below are the club policies and codes of conduct that we expect our players, parents/carers, match officials and coaches to adhere to.

Please take 5 mins to read and contact our Welfare Officer if you have any concerns or questions.

FA Respect Code of Conduct for Spectators & Parents / Carers

FA Respect Code of Conduct

At Chesham United Youth FC we fully endorse the Football Association’s Respect Code of Conduct. We expect all those associated with our Club to follow these guidelines, along with our own Coaches & Officials Code of Conduct, to maximise the enjoyment and development of the children participating in our sport in a safe, friendly and supportive environment.

​

FA Respect Code of Conduct for Spectators & Parents / Carers

We all have a responsibility to promote high standards of behaviour in the game. Chesham United Youth FC is supporting The FA’s Respect programme to ensure football can be enjoyed in a safe, positive environment. Remember children’s football is a time for them to develop their technical, physical, tactical and social skills. Winning isn’t everything. Play your part and observe The FA’s Respect Code of Conduct for spectators and parents/carers at all times. I will:

​

  • Remember that children play for FUN

  • Applaud effort and good play as well as success

  • Always respect the match officials’ decisions

  • Remain outside the field of play and within the Designated Spectators’ Area (where provided)

  • Let the coach do their job and not confuse the players by telling them what to do

  • Encourage the players to respect the opposition, referee and match officials

  • Avoid criticising a player for making a mistake – mistakes are part of learning

  • Never engage in, or tolerate, offensive, insulting, or abusive language or behaviour.


I understand that if I do not follow the Code, any/all of the following actions may be taken by my club, County FA, league or The FA I may be:

​

  • Issued with a verbal warning from a club or league official

  • Required to meet with the club, league or County FA Welfare Officer

  • Required to meet with the club committee

  • Obliged to undertake an FA education course

  • Obliged to leave the match venue by the club

  • Requested by the club not to attend future games

  • Suspended or have my club membership removed

  • Required to leave the club along with any dependents.

​

Below are PDF versions of the FA codes of conduct from the FA site (they will open in a new window):

CUYFC fairplay rules

Coaches, Team Managers and Club Officials Code of Conduct

We all have a responsibility to promote high standards of behaviour in the game. In the FA’s survey of 37,000 grassroots participants, the behaviour was the biggest concern in the game. This included the abuse of match officials and the unacceptable behaviour of over competitive parents, spectators and coaches on the sideline. Play your part and observe the Football Association’s Respect Code of Conduct in everything you do.

​

On and off the field, I will:

  • Show respect to others involved in the game including match officials, opposition players, coaches, managers, officials and spectators

  • Adhere to the laws and spirit of the game

  • Promote Fair Play and high standards of behaviour

  • Always respect the match official’s decision

  • Never enter the field of play without the referee’s permission

  • Never engage in public criticism of the match officials

  • Never engage in, or tolerate offensive, insulting or abusive language or behaviour


When working with players, I will:

  • Place the well-being, safety and enjoyment of each player above everything, including winning

  • Explain exactly what I expect of players and what they can expect from me

  • Ensure all parents/carers of all players under the age of 18 understand these expectations

  • Never engage in or tolerate any form of bullying

  • Develop mutual trust and respect with every player to build their self-esteem

  • Encourage each player to accept responsibility for their own behaviour and performance

  • Ensure all activities I organise are appropriate for the players’ ability level, age and maturity

  • Co-operate fully with others in football (e.g. officials, doctors, physiotherapists, welfare officers) for each player’s best interests
     

Chesham United Youth FC Safeguarding Children Policy

Below is the afeguarding policy that Chesham United Youth Football Club has in place for the protection of all the players within the club.​

​

1. Chesham United Youth Football Club acknowledges its responsibility to safeguard the welfare of every child and young person who has been entrusted to its care and is committed to working to provide a safe environment for all members. A child or young person is anyone under the age of 18 engaged in any club football activity. We subscribe to The Football Association’s (The FA) Safeguarding Children – Policy and Procedures and endorse and adopt the Policy Statement contained in that document.
 

The key principles of The FA Safeguarding Children Policy are that:

We acknowledge that every child or young person who plays or participates in football should be able to take part in an enjoyable and safe environment and be protected from poor practice and abuse.Chesham United Youth Football Club recognises that this is the responsibility of every adult involved in our club.
 

  • the child’s welfare is, and must always be, the paramount consideration

  • all children and young people have a right to be protected from abuse regardless of their age, gender, disability, race, sexual orientation, faith or belief

  • all suspicions and allegations of abuse will be taken seriously and responded to swiftly and appropriately

  • working in partnership with other organisations, children and young people and their parents/carers is essential.

 

We acknowledge that every child or young person who plays or participates in football should be able to take part in an enjoyable and safe environment and be protected from poor practice and abuse.

Chesham United Youth Football Club recognises that this is the responsibility of every adult involved in our club.

​

3. Chesham United Youth Football Club has a role to play in safeguarding the welfare of all children and young people by protecting them from physical, sexual or emotional harm and from neglect or bullying. It is noted and accepted that The Football Association’s Safeguarding Children Regulations (see The FA Handbook) applies to everyone in football whether in a paid or voluntary capacity. This means whether you area volunteer, match official, helper on club tours, football coach, club official or medical staff.


4. We endorse and adopt The FA’s Responsible Recruitmentguidelines for recruiting volunteers and we will:

  • specify what the role is and what tasks it involves

  • request identification documents

  • as a minimum meet and chat with the applicant(s) and where possible interview people before appointing them

  • ask for and follow up with 2 references before appointing someone

  • where eligible require an FA accepted Enhanced

 

Criminal Record Check (CRC) with Barring List Check in line with current FA policy and regulations.
All current Chesham United Youth Football Club members working in eligible roles, with children and young people - such as managers and coaches are required to hold an in-date FA accepted Enhanced 

If there are concerns regarding the appropriateness of an individual who is already involved or who has approached us to become part of Chesham United Youth Football Club guidance will be sought from The Football Association. It is noted and accepted that The FA will consider the relevance and significance of the information obtained via the CRC Process and that all suitability decisions will be made in accordance with legislation and in the best interests of children and young people.


It is accepted that The FA aims to prevent people with a history of relevant and significant offending from having contact with children or young people and the opportunity to influence policies or practice with children or young people. This is to prevent direct sexual or physical harm to children and to minimise the risk of ‘grooming’ within football.

​

5. Chesham United Youth Football Club supports The FA’s Whistle Blowing Policy. Any adult or young person with concerns about a adult in a position of trust with football can ‘whistle blow’ by contacting The FA Safeguarding Team on 0800 169 1863, by writing to The FA Case Manager at The Football Association, Wembley Stadium, PO Box 1966, London SW1P 9EQ, by emailing Safeguarding@TheFA.com or alternatively by going direct to the Police, Children’s Social Care or the NSPCC.  Chesham United Youth Football Club encourages everyone to know about The FA’s Whistle Blowing Policy and to utilise it if necessary.


6. Chesham United Youth Football Club has appointed a Club Welfare Officer in line with The FA’s role profile and required completion of the Safeguarding Children and Welfare Officers Workshop.
The post holder will be involved with Welfare Officer training provided by The FA and/or County FA. The Club Welfare Officer is the first point of contact for all club members regarding concerns about the welfare of any child or young person. The Club Welfare Officer will liaise directly with the County FA (CFA) Welfare Officer and will be familiar with the procedures for referring any concerns. They will also play a proactive role in increasing awareness of Respect, poor practice and abuse amongst club members.


7. We acknowledge and endorse The FA’s identification of bullying as a category of abuse. Bullying of any kind is not acceptable at our club. If bullying does occur, all players or parents/carers should be able to tell and know that incidents will be dealt with promptly. Incidents need to be reported to the Club Welfare Officer in cases of serious bullying the CFA Welfare Officer may be contacted.


8. Respect codes of conduct for Players, Parents/Spectators, Officials and Coaches have been implemented by Chesham United Youth Football Club. In order to validate these Respect codes of conduct the club has clear actions it will take regarding repeated or serious misconduct at club level and acknowledges the possibility of potential sanctions which may be implemented by the County FA in more serious circumstances.

​

9. Reporting your concerns about the welfare of a child or young person. Safeguarding is everyone’s responsibility if you are worried about a child it is important that you report your concerns – no action is not an option.
i. If you are worried about a child then you need to report your concerns to the Club Welfare Officer.
ii. If the issue is one of poor practice the Club Welfare


Officer will either:

  • deal with the matter themselves or

  • seek advice from the CFA Welfare Officer


iii.If the concern is more serious – possible child abuse, where possible, contact the CFA Welfare Officer first, then immediately contact the Police or Children’s Social Care.
iv.If the child needs immediate medical treatment take them to a hospital or call an ambulance and tell them this is a child protection concern. Let your Club Welfare Officer know what action you have taken, they in turn will inform the CFA Welfare Officer.
v. If at any time you are not able to contact your Club Welfare Officer or the matter is clearly serious then you can either:

  • contact your CFA Welfare Officer directly

  • contact The FA Safeguarding Team on 0800 169 1863 or Safeguarding@TheFA.com

  • contact the Police or Children’s Social Care

  • call the NSPCC 24 hour Helpline for advice on 0808 800 5000 or text 88858 or email help@nspcc.org.uk

 

NB – The FA’s Safeguarding Children Policy and Procedures are available via – www.TheFA.com/football-rules-governance/safeguarding – click on ‘Raising Awareness – Best Practice Downloads’, the Policy and Procedures document is within the resources area. The policy outlines in detail what to do if you are concerned about the welfare of a child and includes flow diagrams which describe this process. How to make a referral is also covered in the Safeguarding Children workshop. Participants are given the opportunity to discuss how this feels and how best they can prepare themselves to deal with such a situation. For more information on this workshop contact your County Welfare Officer.


10. Further advice on Safeguarding Children matters can be obtained from:

Photography Policy

At CUYFC, it is our responsibility to ensure the safety of all our players at training and at matches. As a club, we do not allow videos and photos being taken of the players whilst at training or at matches. There are many safeguarding issues that we can avoid if all parents/spectators abide by our policy. 

Chiltern Hills Academy AGP Rules

Some of our teams use the fantastic Artificial Grass Pitch (AGP) at Chiltern Hills Academy for training and matches.  As a partner of Chiltern Hills Academy, the club invested a considerable amount of money for this facility and it is vitally important that we all follow some simple rules to ensure we continue to get use of this facility. 

​

  • No smoking

  • Only moulded stud football boots

  • Pitch access to coaches and players only

  • No food and drink allowed on the pitch

  • Please ensure no rubbish is left on the pitch

  • Spectators are not allowed on the pitch

​

Please note, only players, coaches and match officials are allowed on the pitch.  Spectators, parents and carers are not allowed on the pitch.

​

We hope you understand that these are the rules of CHA to protect the facility.  Please help us by following the rules and gently reminding others if you notice that they are not following them.  Thanks you very much.

CHA AGP rules
bottom of page