Xcel FC

A friendly club dedicated to youth football. Set in Romford, Essex and established since 2003, Xcel Football Club has grown from humble beginnings to our current status of fielding 10 teams and catering for over 100 young people ranging from 6 through to 12 years of age.

Home Grounds

Kit

Child Protection Policy

Players Code of Conduct

Parents Code of Conduct

Spectators Code of Conduct

Kit

About Xcel

Xcel FC Child Protection Policy 

Xcel 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 of it’s 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 Child protection and best practice - Policy and Procedures, Safeguarding Children and Young People (revised edition 2004) and endorse and adopt the Policy Statement contained in that document.

 The key principles of The FA Child Protection Policy are that:

• 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, culture, language, racial origin, religious beliefs or sexual orientation
• 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.  Xcel Football Club recognises that this is the responsibility of every adult involved in our club.

 Xcel 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 Associations Regulation (Appendix 1) applies to everyone in football whether in a paid or voluntary capacity. This means whether you are a volunteer, match official, helper on club tours, football coach, club official or medical staff.

We endorse and adopt The FA’s Child protection and best practice – Guidelines for recruiting volunteers and will:

·         Develop a role profile and use standard application forms

·         Request identification documents

·         As a minimum meet the applicant and where possible conduct interviews

·         Request and follow up two references before appointing

·         Require an FA CRB Unit Enhanced Disclosure

If there are concerns regarding the appropriateness of an individual who is already involved or who has approached us to become part of Xcel 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 offence, and or soft data provided on the enhanced disclosure, to the safety of children. All decisions will be made in the best interests of children and young people.

In addition all current Xcel Football Club members with direct access to children and young people will be required to complete a CRB Enhanced Disclosure via The FA CRB Unit.

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.

Xcel Football Club supports The FA’s Whistle blowing Policy – this is an early warning system where anyone can raise concerns over misconduct or malpractice within an organisation or within an independent structure associated with it.

Any adult or young person with concerns about a colleague can also use 'whistle blowing' by contacting The F A Child Protection Team on 0207 745 4914 or by writing to The Case Administrator, Child Protection Team, The Football Association, 25 Soho Square, W1D 4FA. We would encourage everyone to know about it and utilise it whenever necessary.

Xcel Football Club has appointed a Club Welfare Officer (CWO) in line with the FA’s role profile and attendance at a Child protection and best practice - Workshop. The post holder will be involved with any designated persons training provided by The FA. The CWO is the first point of contact for all club members and parents/guardians regarding concerns for the welfare of any child or young person. They liase directly with the CFA CPO and will be familiar with the procedures for referring any concerns. They will also play a proactive role in increasing an awareness of poor practice and abuse amongst club members. For further information see Appendix 2

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/guardians should be able to ell and know that incidents will be dealt with promptly. Incidents need to be reported to the CWO or member of the committee or alternatively contact the CFA CPO. In cases of serious bullying, the incidents will be referred to The FA. The bullying allegation will be investigated and an attempt will be made to help the bully (bullies) change their behaviour. If mediation fails and the bullying is seen to continue the club will initiate disciplinary action under the club constitution..

About Xcel

Xcel FC Players Code of Conduct 

• Play because you enjoy football, not to please your parents or coach

• Players must respect the rights, dignity and worth of each and every person and treat each equally within the context of the sport.

• Players must adhere to all guidelines laid down by the constitution and the code of conduct of the club.

• Players must develop an appropriate working relationship with the coach based on mutual trust and respect.

• Players must accept responsibility for their own behaviour and performance, and not argue with the referee or assistant referee

• Players should, at the outset, clarify with the coach (and, where appropriate, their parents) exactly what is expected of them and also what they are entitled to expect from the club.

• Players must co-operate fully with specialists (e.g. other coaches, officials,  physiotherapists) in their own interest.

• Players must always adhere to the positive aspects of the sport (e.g. fair play) and never condone violations of the laws of the game, behaviour contrary to the spirit of the laws of the game or relevant rules and regulations.

• Players must consistently display high standards of behaviour

• Players must appreciate the importance of striving to win, not winning itself.

About Xcel

Xcel FC Parents Code of Conduct 

• Parents must appreciate their children's involvement in playing football should be primarily for his/her own personal enjoyment.

• Parents must respect the rights, dignity and worth of each and every person and treat each equally within the context of the sport. Praise positive aspects of play and avoid becoming frustrated or ridiculing young players by focusing on their failings. Turn losing into winning by helping your child work towards skill improvement and good sportsmanship. Never ridicule or yell at your child for making a mistake or losing a game.

• Parents must place the well-being and safety of each player above all other considerations, including the development of performance.

• Parents must adhere to all guidelines laid down within the constitution and the rules of the Football Association.

• Parents must develop an appropriate supportive relationship with both the coach and their child based on mutual trust and respect. Recognise the value and importance of manager/coaches.

• Parents must not exert undue influence to obtain personal benefit or reward.

• Parents must encourage and guide players to accept responsibility for their own behaviour and performance. Encourage your child to play to the Laws of the Game and not to argue with Referees and other Officials. Do not question the Referee's judgement or honesty.  Remember he/she is only human with the same feelings as you and, like you, sometimes may make an honest error.

• Parents should at the outset and where appropriate seek clarification with the coach and players, exactly what is expected of them and also what they are entitled to expect from the coach and the player.

• Parents must co-operate fully with specialists (e.g. other coaches, officials) in their own interest.

• Parents must always promote the positive aspects of the sport (e.g. fair play) and never condone violations of the laws of the game, behaviour contrary to the spirit of the laws of the game or relevant rules and regulations.

• Parents must consistently display high standards of behaviour. Support all efforts to remove verbal and physical abuse from children's football.

• Parents must emphasise the importance of striving to win, not winning itself. Praise effort and performance more than results. Teach your child that honest effort is more important than victory so that the result of each game is accepted without undue disappointment. Remember that children learn best by example.  Applaud good play by your team and of the opposition.

About Xcel

Xcel FC Spectators Code of Conduct 

• Spectators must appreciate the child's involvement in playing football should primarily be for the child’s own personal enjoyment. They are not there to entertain you.

• Spectators must respect the rights, dignity and worth of each and every person and treat each equally within the context of the sport. Praise positive aspects of play and avoid becoming frustrated or ridiculing young players by focusing on their failings.

• Spectators must adhere to all guidelines laid down by the constitution of the club and to the code of conduct.

• Spectators must encourage and guide players to accept responsibility for their own behaviour and performance.

• Spectators must ensure that the activities they direct or advocate are appropriate for the age, maturity, experience and ability of players.

• Spectators should at the outset seek clarification with the club exactly what is expected of them and also what they are entitled to expect from the coach, parents and players.

• Spectators must always promote the positive aspects of the sport (e.g. fair play) and never condone violations of the laws of the game, behaviour contrary to the spirit of the laws of the game or relevant rules and regulations.

• Spectators must consistently display high standards of behaviour. Do not use profane language or harass, physically or verbally, players, managers, coaches, referees or assistant referees. Respect the Referee and Assistant Referees' decisions. Remember he is only human with the same feelings as you, and like you, sometimes makes an honest error.

• Spectators must emphasise the importance of striving to win, not winning itself. Praise effort and performance more than results.

About Xcel