Hethersett Athletic

Hethersett has a population in excess of 5,000 and in the years 2001 and 2006 was named Norfolk Village of the Year for villages with populations of over 500 in the annual competition run by the Eastern Daily Press Newspaper.

Hethersett Athletic Football Club was founded in 1991 as Hethersett Jubilee. It changed its name in 1995 when it went fully independent (having previously been affiliated to the Hethersett Jubilee Youth Club).

Today the club provides football for both sexes and all ages from eight to adult. In 2002 the club was awarded Charter FA Development Standard and in 2003 achieved the FA Charter Community Club standard.

This development plan is written as an extension of the club's aims which are:

"To encourage and promote the development of football within the community of Hethersett, with an emphasis on youth teams.

"The club will strive to provide an opportunity for players of both sexes and all abilities to participate in football at all age levels. The club will seek to compete at the highest possible level.

"We will endeavour to facilitate the provision of the best playing amenities and equipment available to us in line with the growth of sport in Hethersett."

The Development Plan incorporates the following documents - all of which are available separately and published on the club's web site at www.hethersettathletic.org.uk.

Club Aims and Mission Statement

Club Constitution

Roles of Officers (not defined in Constitution)

Club Codes of Conduct - Players, Supporters, Managers, Caches and Officials

Child Protection Policy

Recruitment and Retention Policy

Equity Policy

Mini Soccer Policy

Links with Schools

Links with Youth Soccer

Staff Development Programme

Development of New Teams Policy

Exit Route Policy

Managers/Coachers Vetting procedures

Overall Support for Sport in Hethersett Policy

Business Case for Club Sponsorship

Social Side

CLUB AIMS and MISSION STATEMENT

The aims of Hethersett Athletic Football Club are as follows:

"To encourage and promote the development of football within the community of Hethersett, with an emphasis on youth teams.

"We will endeavour to facilitate the provision of the best playing amenities and equipment available to us in line with the growth of sport in Hethersett."

We will achieve the above by:

· Encouraging the development of football at all levels with the emphasis on giving priority to local residents.

· Achieving this through a policy of equal opportunity where the best possible facilities are made available for both sexes, all ages and all abilities.

· Encouraging sportsmanship and fair competition and competition at the highest possible levels.

· Supporting the development of football and sport in general throughout the village and supporting attempts to improve sporting venues and facilities.

In addition to the above the club has defined short and long term aims as follows:

Short Term

Short term aims are designed to be achievable within three years and where possible within one year. The present short term aims of the club are:

	The appointment of a volunteer co-ordinating officer (this has been achieved in March 2007)
	The appointment of a schools' liaison officer (this has been achieved in March 2007)
	The appointment of a senior or head coach (this has been achieved in March 2007)
	The identification of a Charter Standard Community Officer to work alongside Norfolk FA (this has been achieved in March 2007)
	To fill in existing team gaps with the aim of providing football at all levels. This includes the recruitment of new managers, trainers and players.
	To undertake a full recruitment drive to attract new volunteer helpers
	To ensure that volunteers, managers, coaches and club officials receive adequate training to undertake their roles.
	To appoint a referees' development officer.
	To improve communication throughout the club with the introduction of a monthly newsletter and updated and improved web site.
	To improve our standing in the community of Hethersett and the wider area
	To introduce Saturday men's senior football.
	To encourage and support club members in their attempts to gain coaching, refereeing, first aid and other qualifications.
	To improve the drainage and general standard of club pitches on the Memorial Playing Field

Long Term

Long Term aims look into the future (10 years plus). The present long term aims are:

	To acquire our own ground and clubhouse
	To further enhance our standing in the community and the retention of Community Charter Standard award.
	To look at effective partnership working with outside organisations to improve our standing and facilities and levels of sponsorship. This includes a fully fledged academy partnership with Easton College and partnership in the field of sport for the disabled..

CLUB CONSTITUTION

NAME The name of the club shall be Hethersett Athletic Football Club. *AFFILIATION*

The club is fully affiliated to Norfolk County Football Association

AIMS

The aims of the club shall be to provide opportunities for local inhabitants of any age or gender to take part in football activities as required by demand, with the emphasis on youth teams. The club will seek to compete at the highest possible level and will endeavour to facilitate the provision of the best playing amenities and equipment available to us, in line with the growth of sport in Hethersett.

MEMBERSHIP

Club membership shall be open to all inhabitants within the village of Hethersett and the normal catchment area of the village schools, subject to maximum limits defined by leagues.

Club officers or team officials shall not actively recruit outside that catchment area except where insufficient numbers can be attracted from within the catchment area to honour commitments.

Requests for membership from outside the catchment area can be considered on their merits by club officers or team officials. Once granted membership such an applicant will be able to continue membership without further request except for disciplinary reasons.

TEAM AFFILIATION

To constitute a team and enjoy all the benefits of club affiliation, a team must meet the following minimum requirements:

a) Have a management team of a minimum of two and preferably three or more to cover the managerial, coaching and administration functions.

b) Have at least 1 FA Level 1 qualified coach and all team officials to be CRB (Criminal Records Bureau) checked

c) Provide a budget each season covering income and expenditure by 31^st August each year after taking guidance from the treasurer on pitch fees and other matters.

d) Have a minimum of 1 team representative at every club committee meeting.

e) Officials from new teams to meet with the club’s head coach, secretary, referees’ co-ordinator and child welfare officer before the start of the season in order to help them plan for the season and understand club rules.

All other duties, responsibilities are included in the other relevant sections such as duties, finance and voting.

VOTING

Each member will be entitled to one vote at any General Meeting of the club or any team meeting for which he/she is a member.

For members aged under-16 their vote will be passed to a parent with similar voting rights.

At closed meetings of the Club committee each elected officer, co-opted member and team delegate (one per team) is entitled to one vote with the Chairman having an additional casting vote in the event of a tie.

At meetings of a Team Committee each elected member is entitled to one vote with the Team Manager having an additional casting vote in the event of a tie.

OFFICERS

The following officers shall be elected by majority vote at the Annual General Meeting and shall form the management committee of the club:- Chairman, Vice Chairman, Secretary, Assistant Secretary, Treasurer, Marketing Officer, Child Protection Officer, Development Officer and Football Development Officer. The posts may be combined as appropriate. Other posts may be created by a majority vote at an Annual General Meeting. Members may be co-opted onto the Club Committee by majority vote at a Club Committee meeting.

A Development committee shall be formed to include the above officers and will also have the power to co-opt additional members where appropriate.

A discipline committee shall be formed to include the chair, vice-chair, secretary and one co-opted member to discuss disciplinary matters as outlined in the club's development plan.

In addition the club will consider annually appointing an honorary life member. This honour will be bestowed on somebody who has made an outstanding contribution to Hethersett Athletic, to soccer in the village, to sport in the village or to village life. Any club member can nominate a person for honorary life membership and the nomination will be considered by the club's committee before the annual presentation evening.

In addition the management committee has the right to appoint appropriate people from either within or outside the village as honorary vice-presidents.

COMMITTEE

The committee shall consist of the elected officers plus the team managers (or appointed deputy) of each participating team.

TEAM OFFICIALS

The team manager, and other team officials as required, shall be elected annually by the members of that team.

MEETINGS

The club shall hold an Annual General Meeting between June and August each year. All members shall receive 14 days notice of the Annual General Meeting. Other meetings shall be on an "as required" basis. Club members (or parents if members are Under-16) may call a General Meeting subject to a minimum of four such members notifying the secretary. Committee meetings will be held at regular intervals throughout the year.

DUTIES

The Chairman shall carry out the following responsibilities:-

· Be a figure-head for the Club

· Attend official functions as required

· Call and chair meetings in line with the constitution

The Vice-Chairman shall carry out the following responsibilities:-

· Support other officers as appropriate

· Deputise for the chair as required

The Secretary shall carry out the following responsibilities

· All correspondence with Football Authorities and Leagues.

· Arrangements for facility hire

· Control and maintenance of centrally held club equipment

· Confirmation of fixtures, results, match cards and forms

· Arrangements for Insurance

· Co-ordination of press reports as required by team managers

· Maintenance of club records and statistics

The Assistant Secretary shall carry out the following responsibilities

· All correspondence not specified in the Secretary's responsibilities

· Arrangements for and minutes of meetings

The Treasurer shall carry out the following responsibilities

· Maintenance of records of all receipts and payments

· Honouring all invoices received

· Preparing end of year accounts for review at the Annual General Meeting.

Team Managers (or other appointed officials) shall carry out the following responsibilities:-

· Honour fixtures as required by competition organisers

· Select players and inform them of arrangements

· Collect fees as appropriate, maintain records and pass moneys to the club treasurer on a regular basis

· Complete match cards and pass to club secretary in time for deadlines to be met.

FINANCE

All funds relating to the club shall be maintained by the club treasurer and bank accounts opened as appropriate.

Funds raised specifically by individual teams may be earmarked within the accounts to be at the disposal of those teams at a later date.

Bank mandates shall be maintained to allow cheques and payments to be signed by the treasurer and any one of the other club officers.

All monies collected by club or team officers must be passed to the Treasurer with details within 14 days of collection.

No individual team or person may spend over £50 on a single item without the permission of the club committee or, in an emergency, the permission of club officers.

10% of money raised by individual fund-raising should go to general club funds. This does not include money raised from subscriptions, match and training fees.

Each team should aim to collect 50% of their subscription income by 30^th September and the second 50% instalment by January 30^th.

If a team is over subscribed with players and only takes training or match fees each week from some members, this can continue provided club membership fees are paid up front.

No team can purchase items not included in their budget or purchase items if they have insufficient funds in their individual team records, even if included in their budget, without the permission of the club committee.

In the event of the Club being wound-up the Officers shall ensure that, after payment of all debts of the Club, any surplus assets are transferred only to another Club, a Competition, a County Association or the Football Association, the exact disposal to be agreed at a General Meeting of the Club.

DISCIPLINE/CODES OF CONDUCT

Club members, officials and parents/supporters must conduct themselves at all times both on and off the field in a manner which does not bring the club into disrepute. Anyone failing to do so may be subject to disciplinary action, including suspension or exclusion, by the club committee.

The club has codes of conduct for players, supporters, officials, managers and coaches and these must be adhered to at all times. All codes of conduct are published on the club's web site at www.hethersettathletic.org.uk.

A discipline committee shall be formed to include the senior officers of the club (chair, vice-chair, secretary) and one other co-opted member to deal with matters of a disciplinary nature. The committee will have the power to call players before it and also to impose additional fines and suspensions over and above those imposed by Norfolk County FA. Players who are adjudged to have a particularly bad disciplinary record will also be asked to appear before the committee. Players will be charged a fee of £10 for bookings, made payable direct to the club. The committee also reserves the right to cancel the registration of persistent offenders. To do this the discipline committee will make a recommendation to the full club management committee.

CHILD WELFARE POLICY

The club has appointed a Child Welfare Officer and adopted the Norfolk County FA child protection policy - copies of which are available separately.

AMENDMENTS TO THE CONSTITUTION

Any amendments to this constitution shall require the consent of two-thirds of the members at a General Meeting.

The above constitution was adopted at the Annual General Meeting on 7th August, 1998.

Amended at the Extraordinary General Meeting on 11th November, 1999

Amended at the Annual General Meeting 17th August, 2000

Amended at the Annual General Meeting 19th July, 2001

Amended at the Extraordinary General Meeting 11th October, 2001

Amended at the Extraordinary General Meeting 7th February 2002

Amended at the Annual General Meeting 18th July 2002

Amended at the Annual General Meeting 17th July 2003

Amended at the Annual General Meeting 16th July 2007

Amended at the Annual General Meeting 14th July 2008

The Roles of Officers (not defined in the constitution)

The roles of officers of the club are detailed in the club constitution. In addition to these the club will also appoint the following officers:

Football Development Officer
This officer will be responsible for the development of football at the club. This will include:

	The setting up of training opportunities and arrangement of coaching sessions
	Seeking opportunities to develop skills and ability at the club
	Liaising as necessary with county officials
	Keeping abreast and communicating FA rule changes

The Football Development Officer should be a qualified coach and, in addition to the above, he/she will be responsible for the general development of football within Hethersett Athletic. He/she will also have the remit to organise coaching sessions for players from outside the club.

Development Officer

This officer will be responsible for Developing Hethersett Athletic off the field of play. He/She will be responsible for:

	General club development and improvement
	Obtaining grants
	Obtaining sponsorship
	General promotion of the club within the football community
	Liaising with the business community with the aim of furthering the objectives of Hethersett Athletic Football Club

Marketing Officer

This officer will be responsible for the general promotion of Hethersett Athletic Football Club within the community. This will include liaising with the Media and seeking out any other publicity and promotional opportunity in order to further the good name of Hethersett Athletic Football Club. This officer will also be responsible for enhancing the club's reputation both in the local community and the wider community. He/She will work alongside other officers to create and run an official club web site.

Volunteer Co-ordinator Officer

The functions of this officer are as follows:

	The recruitment of new volunteers
	Keeping a register of new volunteers with contact details
	Keeping a register of specific skills of club members
	Ensuring that new volunteers are provided with a suitable induction to the club
	Providing volunteers with a brief of their role
	Ensuring that there is a training programme available for volunteers
	Ensuring that volunteers are rewarded and recognised

Schools' Liaison Officer

The functions of this officer are as follows

Meeting with local schools at least twice a year

Being a contact point between the club and local schools

Ensuring local schools receive regular information about the club

Establishing ways in which the club can support the local schools' football programme.

The club will appoint a sponsorship/commercial manager who will receive a fixed fee for monies that they raise for and on behalf of the club. This fee will be agreed through consultation between the officer and the club's management committee.

In addition to the above the club will consider annually appointing an honorary life member. This honour will be bestowed on somebody who has made an outstanding contribution to Hethersett Athletic, to soccer in the village, to sport in the village or to village life. Any club member can nominate a person for honorary life membership and the nominations will be considered by the club's committee before the annual presentation evening.

In addition the main committee has the right to appoint appropriate people from either within or outside the village as honorary vice-presidents.

CLUB CODES OF CONDUCT

The management committee of Hethersett Athletic has adopted the following codes of conduct:

· Players

· Spectators and Supporters

· Managers, Coaches and Officials

Copies of all codes of conduct will be given to new committee members, new coaches and managers following their vetting by club officials.

Any players of club officials who are in contravention of the club's codes of conduct may be asked to appear before the club's discipline committee where fines and/or suspension can be recommended to the club's management committee.

The following are the club's adopted codes of conduct for players: It is designed to ensure that the club's reputation is enhanced and that players enjoy their football.

Code 1:

All players will at all times conduct themselves in a sportsmanlike and reasonable manner. Whilst playing football they will be aware of the fact that they are representatives of the whole Hethersett Athletic Club and the club expects high standards of behaviour.

Code 2:

Bad behaviour from players will not be tolerated. This includes cheating, time wasting, verbal abuse, racial abuse, abuse of officials, feigning injury, kicking the ball away, insulting other players or team-mates and insulting or abusing the referee. Fighting, spitting, foul language, discouraging fellow players and threatening behaviour will not be accepted at any time. Any players guilty of serious breaches of the above will have their club registration cancelled. This action will be at the discretion of the team manager/coach and/or club committee.

Code 3:

Players are encouraged by the club to always abide by the rules of football, to accept all decisions however much they may disagree with them, to be honest, to show consideration for both their own team-mates and the opposition, to show concern and help injured players and to always be sporting.

Code 4:

Players will be expected to look after club equipment at all times. They will also be expected to help out by putting up nets, corner flags and undertaking other duties required of them by the manager/coach.

Code 5:

Players will be expected to turn up to matches with clean kit and clean football boots. Failure to do so reflects badly on the individual, the team and the club as a whole. The managers/coaches will retain the right to drop players who transgress this code. Remember TAKE A PRIDE IN YOUR APPEARANCE.

Code 6

It is the players' responsibility to turn up for matches on time, to turn up at meeting points for away games on time and to turn up with the necessary equipment for the game. Players turning up for matches after the designated time can be either named as substitute or dropped from the team at the discretion of the manager/coach.

Code 7

It is the player's responsibility to pay any signing-on fees/match fees as levied by their individual teams. For Under-16s and younger, this can be through parents. Failure to do so on time could result in the player being dropped or excluded from subsequent fixtures until payment has been made in full. Any players who have difficulty in meeting fees should speak in confidence to either their team manager/coach or the club treasurer or secretary.

Code 8

Players should accept that the team manager/coach is responsible for selecting the team and he/she will not enter into any discussion with players regarding this selection unless he/she chooses to do so.

Code 9

Any player failing to turn up for a match, having been selected and informed of his/her selection, who does not have an acceptable reason and who has not contacted the manager/coach before the game will risk not being considered for the following week's game. Acceptable reasons include injury and illness. Leaving such a player out will be at the discretion of the manager/coach.

Code 10

Players, whenever possible, are expected to attend training sessions organised by their team. If unable to do so they should inform their manager/coach as soon as possible.

Code 11

Players unavailable for selection should inform their team manager/coach as soon as possible. It is not acceptable to pull out on the day of a game unless this is through a new injury or illness. Early notice helps managers/coaches with their arrangements.

This code of conduct was formally adopted by the club committee and ratified by the club annual meeting on July 19th, 2001.

The following is the club's adopted codes of conduct for managers/coaches and club officials: It is designed to ensure that the club's reputation is enhanced and that everyone enjoys their football.

Code 1:

Managers, coaches and club officials will at all times conduct themselves in a sportsmanlike and reasonable manner. Whilst taking part in matches, they will be aware of the fact that they are representatives of the whole Hethersett Athletic Club and the club expects high standards of behaviour.

Code 2:

Bad behaviour from coaches/managers and club officials will not be tolerated. This includes verbal abuse, racial abuse, abuse of match officials or any member of the opposition. Any manager/coach or club official guilty of serious breaches of the above will be asked to appear before the club committee and can be relieved of his/her duties at the discretion of the committee.

Code 3:

Managers, coaches and club officials must accept all refereeing decisions. They will be expected to act in a professional manner and show consideration for both their own team and the opposition and always to be sporting.

Code 4:

Managers, coaches and club officials will be expected to look after club equipment at all times.

The code of conduct was formally adopted by the annual meeting on July 19th, 2001

The following is the club's adopted codes of conduct for spectators and supporters: It is designed to ensure that the club's reputation is enhanced and that everyone enjoys their football.

Code 1:

Whilst attending matches, spectators and supporters are representatives of Hethersett Athletic Football Club and will be expected at all times to conduct themselves in a sportsmanlike and reasonable manner. The club expects high standards of behaviour from all its players, staff, officers and supporters

Code 2:

Bad behaviour from spectators representing Hethersett Athletic Football Club will not be tolerated. This includes verbal and racial abuse, abuse of match officials and insulting players or officials of either team. Threatening behaviour will not be tolerated at any time and can result in the offender being asked to leave the game.

Code 3:

Spectators are in particular asked not to abuse match officials or members of the opposing team.

Code 4:

Spectators and Supporters are expected to keep off the field of play during the match unless they are representing the club in an official capacity such as linesman or first aid trainer.

The code of conduct was formally adopted by the annual meeting on July 19th, 2001

Please Note: When Issued separately, the codes of conduct are preceded by the club's Mission Statement and also the following words:

Hethersett Athletic prides itself on the behaviour of its players, coaches, managers and supporters. The following codes of conduct are designed to ensure that we continue to be held in high regard in local football circles and conform to the club's aims of providing football for all ages and both sexes in a friendly and supportive environment with the emphasis on teamwork.

Discipline Policy

Players who are adjudged to have a particularly bad disciplinary record will also be asked to appear before the committee. The committee also reserves the right to recommend cancellation of the registration of persistent offenders or players in blatant contravention of either club or Norfolk FA rules. To do this the discipline committee will make a recommendation to the full club management committee.

Any player suspended or fined by the club will not be allowed to be a club member until their suspension and/or fine has been completed or paid. Players who have their registration cancelled by the club will not be allowed back into membership until they have made a personal appeal to the club management committee who will make a decision on the issue.

Any player receiving more than one red card (sending off) or three yellow cards (bookings) during a season whilst playing for Hethersett Athletic will be asked to appear before the Disciplinary Committee.

The playing of unregistered players will not be accepted under any circumstances. The manager of any team playing an unregistered player will be asked to attend a club disciplinary hearing. Fines can be imposed on any team knowingly playing unregistered players. The full club committee holds the right to withdraw any of its team from a league.

The club secretary will monitor bookings and sendings off and will monitor suspensions and/or fines imposed by Norfolk FA and ensure that players re-imburse the club committee where necessary.

All players must adhere fully to league, county FA and club rules.

Any player receiving a club fine will be deemed to be suspended from playing for any of the club's teams until the fine has been paid off. Similarly any player receiving a club suspension will be banned from appearing for any club team until the suspension has either been served or cancelled by the club management committee. Any application by a player to pay a fine in instalments must be referred to the club's disciplinary committee who will make recommendations to the main committee. The disciplinary committee of the club will meet as and when necessary.

All club players should be made aware of the club's constitution, development plan and codes of conduct, all of which are available on the Internet. Ignorance by players of these will not be accepted as a defence.

Managers of all teams will be made aware of the disciplinary record of players on a regular basis. This will include the current state of any fines and/or suspensions.

CHILD PROTECTION POLICY

Hethersett Athletic has adopted the following Child Protection Policy which is set-out below.

HETHERSETT ATHLETIC FOOTBALL CLUB

CHILD PROTECTION POLICY

1. Hethersett Athletic 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 Child Protection and Best Practice Policy and Procedures, Safeguarding Children and Young People in Football (revised edition 2006) and endorse and adopt the policy statement contained in that document.

2. 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 or carers is essential.

3. 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. Hethersett Athletic Football Club recognises that this is the responsibility of every adult involved in our club.

4. Hethersett Athletic 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 child protection regulation (see The FA Handbook or FA Safeguarding Children & Young People in Football appendix 3) 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, 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

· Request identification documents

· As a minimum meet and chat with the applicant(s) and where possible conduct interviews before appointing

· Reserve the right to ask for two references before appointing if necessary

· Require an FA CRB Unit Enhanced Disclosure where appropriate in line with FA guidelines

All current Hethersett Athletic 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. If there are concerns regarding the appropriateness of an individual who is already involved or who has approached us to become part of Hethersett Athletic 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 FA CRB Unit Enhanced CRB Disclosure and that all decisions will be made 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 minimize the risk of ‘grooming’ within football.

5. Hethersett Athletic Football Club supports The FA’s ‘whistle blowing’ policy. Any adult or young person with concerns about a colleague can ‘whistle blow’ by contacting The FA Child Protection Manager on 0207 745 4771, by writing to The FA Case Manager at The Football Association, 25 Soho Square, London W1D 4FA or by going direct to the police, social services or the NSPCC. Hethersett Athletic Football Club encourages everyone to know about it and utilise it if necessary.

6. Hethersett Athletic Football Club has appointed a Club Welfare Officer (CWO) in line with The FA’s role profile and required completion of the child protection and best practice workshop. The post holder will be involved with designated person’s training provided by The FA. The CWO is the first point of contact for all club members and parents or guardians regarding concerns for the welfare of any child or young person.

They will liaise 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.

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, parents or guardians should be able to tell and know that incidents will be dealt with promptly. Incidents need to be reported to the CWO, a member of the committee or, in cases of serious bullying contact the CFA CPO.

8. Codes of conduct for players, parents or spectators, officials and coaches have been implemented by Hethersett Athletic Football Club. In order to validate these codes of conduct the club has clear sanctions to deal with any misconduct at club level and acknowledges the possibility of potential sanctions which may be implemented by leagues or the CFA in more serious circumstances. All prospective members will be informed of these codes.

9. Further advice on child protection/safeguarding children matters can be obtained from:

· Hethersett Athletic Football Club Child Welfare Officer

sue.buffin@norfolk-pct.nhs.uk – 07733 190728

· The County Football Association’s Child Protection Officer

raffi.coverdale@norfolkfa.com – 01603 704050

· The Football Association/NSPCC Child Protection

24-Hour Helpline 0808 800 5000

· www.TheFA.com/Goal

· The FA Child Protection Team on 0207 745 4649.

RECRUITMENT and RETENTION POLICY

The following policy is within the aims and objectives of the club to

· Encourage and promote the development of football within the community

· Provide the opportunity for players of both sexes and all ages to play competitive football

· To support and provide the best playing amenities and equipment available.

Recruitment

It is club policy to, wherever possible, give priority to players living within the village of Hethersett or the immediate catchment area which includes Little and Great Melton and a number of other small villages.

Following this, priority will be given to players living outside the village but who attend full-time education at schools within Hethersett or the immediate catchment area i.e Woodside First School, Hethersett Middle School, Hethersett High School, Hethersett Old Hall School and Little Melton First School.

Following this, priority will be given to players living in immediately surrounding towns and villages such as Wymondham, Cringleford and Mulbarton.

Any team unable to provide a playing squad under the above criteria will be allowed to look further afield for players. If insufficient players are available to run a team, Hethersett Athletic will not rule out the possibility of combining with another local team in a similar position.

It is not club policy to approach other clubs with the idea of signing players. If players from outside clubs approach Hethersett Athletic they will be accepted in line with the above criteria with priority always being given to locally-based players.

Retention Policy

It is the policy of Hethersett Athletic to encourage local players to join the club in line with the above criteria. Once a member of Hethersett Athletic, players are encouraged to play a full part in the life of the club by attending training and social events.

If a player indicates a wish to leave the club, it will be the duty of the relevant team manager/coach to establish any reasons for unrest and to report these to the club's committee.

The club will actively back any player and/or official wishing to take coaching, first aid or any other football connected qualifications which are likely to benefit both the individual and the club. In such cases the club will offer to pay 50% of the course fees. The club will also work with Norfolk FA to support courses organised by that body.

It is hoped that by supporting personal and team development, players will foster a loyalty to Hethersett Athletic Football Club.

Attracting Players

The club will actively attempt to attract players under the above criteria by:

Liaising on a regular basis with local schools. This will be done by personal contact with staff, posters, information sheets about the club, direct contact with pupils (with the schools permission) and appeals through school newsletters. The club will endeavour to foster good relationships with local schools and to use school facilities wherever and whenever possible. This will include pitches and changing facilities. We will attempt to attract players by undertaking the following.

	Regular articles in the Media and local promotional outlets. This will include appeals for players whenever possible.
	Posters placed in the village at strategic points such as the village library
	Word of mouth and personal contact with existing players who may be aware of other players who wish to join the club
	Through an appeal at the club's annual general meeting.
	Taking part in village organisations' days, fetes and other promotional events.

Members of the club will be responsible for promoting the good name of Hethersett Athletic Football Club wherever and whenever possible.

EQUITY POLICY

Hethersett Athletic has adopted the Football Association's Equity Policy.

The club's aims and mission statement includes the following words:

"The club will strive to provide an opportunity for players of both sexes to participate in football at all age levels."

The club's full Equity Policy is a s follows:

Hethersett Athletic Football Club is committed to providing opportunities for everyone to participate in football regardless of their gender, sexual orientation, race, nationality, ethnic origin, colour, religion or ability.

In order to achieve this Hethersett Athletic will work closely with the community to ensure that the above policy is adopted. This will include contact with youth groups, schools and other interested organisations both within the village and the catchment area as previously outlined.

Hethersett Athletic will also study areas of good practice involving sports clubs both locally and nationally with regards to Equity. This will be done through contact with other clubs through the county football association and through contact with other clubs and groups through officers of Hethersett Athletic.

Hethersett Athletic Football Club is committed to a policy of equal treatment of all members and requires all members of whatever level or authority, to abide and adhere to this general principle and the requirements of the Codes of Practice issued by the Equal Opportunities Commission and Commission for Racial Equality.

Hethersett Athletic will abide by the requirements of the Rac