Managers/Coaches and mentors are critical to the establistment of good practices in football. Their attitude to the game directly informs the attitude of the players under their supervision. Managers/Coaches must speak and act in a manner consistent with this reality. Children are supposed to have fun at Ballyoulster Utd AFC and it is the responsibility of the Managers/Coaches to provide the environement for them. At Ballyoulster Utd AFC, the children will gain new friends, grow in confidence, learn technical football skills and make great memories.

Our Managers/Coaches are key to the establishment of good ethics in football and their concept of ethics and their attitudes, directly affects the behaviours and attitudes of the 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/Coaches Priorities

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

At the schoolboy leavel (U11 and below), Managers/Coaches must seperate themselves from the 'winning at all costs' mentality. This approach inhibits player development. It can also lead to young players having a sense of frustration and failure. The club's 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/Coach.

Competitive games and leagues start at the U12 age.

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

All Managers/Coaches are familiar with the clubs policies. This allows our Managers/Coaches to understand and appreciate the expectations of the club, the 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 & 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 Welfare Officer or the website of the FAI.

In addition a Volunteer Registration form must be completed online. These are available on Clubzap. 

If you wish to recruit somebody to help with your team that person MUST be approved by the Chairperson/Child Welfare Officer beforehand. 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/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 FAI training guidelines. If managers/coaches require assistance in covering some of the charge to attend a course, please talk in confidence to the Director of Football. During off peak season we periodically host training sessions from the FAI or from our own senior coaches a the club. 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/coaches when it is available. This is one course that the club hosts when necessary.

Ensuring Player Participation

Managers/Coaches myst 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 u to and including Under 11's.

In the interests of fair play, the strongest team should not necessarily start every game, It is up to the managers/coaches to use their skills to field a combination of players at all different stages of the game to achieve the best result making sure throughout that all players are treated fairly.

General Points to Note

* Managers/Coaches must be prepared to allow their players to move to other teams if it is felt by the club to be in the best interests of the players future development.

• Avoiding dictacting to players on the side line as this only undermines their confidence and hinders their development. Appropriate advise 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 gesture 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, coordinators from the executive committee)

• Never have players contact details or phone numbers stored on your phone or any other place. Managers/Coaches should have parent/guardian contact details only.
• Managers/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/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 and 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 Director of Football who will arrange this for you.
• 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 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 procedure, and could result in offenders being suspended or expelled from the club.

Key Principles in Managing/Coaching

1. Motivate uir players positively, it builds their self confidence and self motivation.

2. Praise and encourage your players and give them the freedom to express themselves without judgement.

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

4. Focus on the quality of play (when attacking, defending and in transition) rather that 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, and keeping your heads up... etc.

6. Engage with your players by asking questions, getting their views on opinions, talk and discuss their role and position of play. It will create an awareness of their role.

7. Use language that is simple and age appropriate.

8. Demonstrate and participate in the training routines that you want them to do, to ensure that they fully understand what you are asking of them.

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 two per season). Any incidents or accidents during games or training must be reported to the Club Secretary immediately. (Eg. managers/parents being sent from grounds by match officials, red cards, injuries to players or any other incident whch the executive committee need to know about).

It is the managers responsibility to ensure that 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 and 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 person 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 players 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 clubhouse or on Clubzap.

9. Any serious injuries suffered by players must be reported immediately to the club secretary.

10. Managers/coaches are asked to be familiar with the clubs Consussion Policy & Guidelines.