CODE OF CONDUCT AND GOOD PRACTICE FOR COACHES
Coaches need to be aware of why children want to play soccer.
They want to learn new skills, make new friends, be part of a group, win and be successful, experience challenges, excitement and action.
While winning is important, it must be remembered that winning at all costs does not meet the needs of players.
Results are not necessarily a good indicator of coaching effectiveness or ability, the improvement level of players and their level of enjoyment is.
Coaches should aim to provide a safe and enjoyable environment where children and young people are placed at the centre of all activities.
In promoting good practice and creating a child/player centred approach coaches should:
• Act as good role models.
• Encourage and be positive during sessions so that players leave with a sense of achievement.
• Set challenging, realistic but achievable goals.
• Plan and prepare each session appropriately and ensure proper levels of supervision.
• Ensure that all activities are inclusive and allow all players to participate in an enjoyable way.
• Put the welfare and enjoyment of players first and strike a balance between this and winning or achieving results.
• Enforce the principles of fair play treating each player equally, with dignity and respect and ensuring that all players play within the rules.
• Be aware of the developmental stages and needs of players.
• Avoid overtraining and over-emphasis on the competition.
• Involve parents/guardians and other club members in what we do.
• Be qualified and up to date with the latest coaching knowledge and skills.
In keeping children and young people at the forefront of planning and practice, coaches can be confident that participants will enjoy their football experiences and that their actions are regarded as safe and in keeping with the principle that the welfare of children is of paramount consideration.
Coaches are given a position of trust by parents/guardians and players and should show the highest standards of behaviour whilst in the company of underage players.
It is important that coaches follow an agreed code of good practice and parents/club officials are satisfied that coaches are suitable to lead the activities undertaken.
The comprehensive Code of Ethics & Best Practice guidelines is available at www.fai.ie
It is important to note that in adhering to these guidelines we ensure not only a safe environment for children but also a safe environment in which coaches and volunteers can operate.
In promoting “Sport for Fun” coaches should:
• Encourage participation and fun.
• Promote the development of skills as opposed to winning at all costs.
• Emphasise and praise effort.
• Act as a good role model.
• Actively discourage children/young players from abusing referees, officials, teammates or opponents (take off offending players).
• Insist on FAIR PLAY (take off offending players).
• Be realistic with your expectations.
• Be aware of children’s feelings.
• Teach players to respect different cultures
Safety
Coaches have a responsibility to ensure the safety of the players with whom they work as far as possible within the limits of their control. Therefore, coaches should seek to create a safe and enjoyable environment in which to play and train.
In this respect:
• Regular safety checks should be carried out in relation to premises, training facilities and equipment.
• Appropriate safety rules should be adopted and implemented.
• Parents/guardians should be informed of the starting and finishing times of training sessions and matches.
• A first aid kit should be available at all training sessions /matches and injuries should be recorded, with a note of action taken in relation to each one.
• Parents/Guardians should be notified of injuries/illness which their children incur while participating in any football activity a positive approach to the involvement of children in sport.
Never play injured players.
Coaches must realise that certain situations or friendly actions could be misinterpreted, not only by the player but by outsiders motivated by jealousy, dislike or mistrust and could lead to allegations of sexual misconduct or impropriety. Therefore coaches should be aware of, and avoid all situations conducive to risk.
Where possible, coaches/volunteers should avoid:
• Spending excessive amounts of time with children away from others.
• Taking sessions alone (always employ “Two Deep” supervision).
• Taking children to their homes.
• Taking children on journeys alone in their care.
Coaches/volunteers should never:
• Exert undue influence over a participant in order to obtain personal benefit or reward.
• Share a room with a young person alone on away trips.
• Engage in rough physical games, sexually provocative games or allow or engage in inappropriate touching of any kind, and/or make sexually suggestive comments about or to a child.
• Use any form of corporal punishment or physical force on a young person.
• Take measurements or engage in certain types of fitness testing without the presence of another adult.
• Undertake any form of therapy (hypnosis etc.) in the training of young people. Most coaches work in an environment where it is recognised that, in a sporting context, certain types of coaching require a ‘hands-on approach, i.e., it may be necessary to support a participant in order to physically demonstrate a particular technique. This should only occur when necessary and in an open and appropriate way with the knowledge, permission and full understanding of the participant concerned and his/her parents/guardians.
