There are now two versions of the club development plan. The document below gives details of sections of the new development plan which is available in pdf format by clicking here. This plan is discussed and updated follwoing every monthly committee meeting.

INTRODUCTION

Hethersett Athletic is a fast growing football club situated in the Norfolk village of Hethersett, six miles south of the City of Norwich.

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 Race Relations Act of 1976, the Sex Discrimination Act of 1986 and the Disability Discrimination Act of 1995. Specifically discrimination is prohibited by:

	Treating any individual on grounds of gender, colour, marital status, race, nationality or ethnic or national origin, religion, sexual orientation or disability less favourably than others.
	Expecting an individual solely on the grounds stated above to comply with requirements for any reason whatsoever related to their membership which are different from the requirements for others.
	Imposing on an individual requirements which are in effect more onerous on that individual than they are on others. For example, this would include applying a condition which makes it more difficult for members of a particular race or sex to comply than others not of that race or sex.
	Victimisation of an individual
	Harassment of an individual, by virtue of discrimination.
	Any other act or omission of an act, which has as its effect the disadvantaging of a member against another or others, purely on the above grounds. Thus, in all the club's recruitment, selection, promotion and training processes, as well as disciplinary matters, it is essential that merit, experience, skills and temperament are considered as objectively as possible.

Hethersett Athletic Football Club commits itself to the immediate investigation of any claims of discrimination on the above grounds and where such is found to be the case, a requirement that the practice cease forthwith, restitution of damage or loss (if necessary) and to the investigation of any member accused of discrimination.

Any member found guilty of discrimination will be instructed to desist forthwith. Since discrimination in its many forms is against Hethersett Athletic's policy, any members offending will be dealt with under the disciplinary procedure.

Hethersett Athletic Football Club commits itself to the disabled person whenever possible and will treat such members, in aspects of their recruitment and membership, in exactly the same manner as other members. The difficulties of their disablement permitting, assistance will be given, wherever possible to ensure that disabled members are helped in gaining access. Appropriate training will be made to such members who request it.

Hethersett Athletic is committed to providing facilities for those with disability and to encourage such persons to play an active part in the club. The club fully supports the aims of Active Norfolk and Norfolk FA in providing opportunities within disability sports. This includes investigating opportunities for running disability teams and also holding coaching sessions for those with disability, utilising the skills of club coaches.

Playing Squad and Selection Policy

In cases where more than one team is organised at any level (e.g men's and women's) the following selection rules will apply.

It is in the interest of developing players to their appropriate level that they should have the opportunity to progress.

In these cases the club will operate a "one squad" system where all players are signed to Hethersett Athletic Football Club and not to individual teams. Where there is more than one team, the manager of the first or senior team will select and directly contact the 14 players he or she wants to play for him in a particular match.

Players contacted have the option to accept or refuse the invitation to play for that team without fear of recrimination either at the time or in the future. Players are encouraged by the club committee to accept selection.

Once this selection is made the team manager will notify details of his or her squad, together with the names of other players known to be available for selection to the reserve or second team manager and club secretary.

The reserve/second team manager will then select and contact directly the 14 players he or she requires for the coming fixture. The reserve or second team manager must then notify details of his/her squad together with the names of any other players known to be unavailable for the coming match to the third team manager and the club secretary.

This procedure will be repeated until all team places are filled.

Should team managers incur call offs after they have notified their squads they may only approach players after consulting with the appropriate manager or, if not possible, the club secretary.

Team managers can select who they want to play for their team without direction from anyone else, subject to the player being both available and willing to play and not having been selected for a higher team. Players not in the 14 are not owned by the Manager nor should they be promised games in lower teams.

The club secretary will help co-ordinate the activities each week and monitor the situation to ensure that ground rules are being adhered to.

Unregistered Players

The club will take every possible step to ensure that unregistered players do not play. Managers will be reminded to play only previously registered players or those legally registered on the day in keeping with league rules. Managers transgressing this rule will be asked to appear before the club's disciplinary committee.

The club will report to Norfolk FA and the relevant leagues any known incidents of opposition teams playing ineligible or unregistered players.

MINI SOCCER POLICY

Hethersett Athletic has a policy of providing competitive football for all ages from eight upwards.

It actively encourages the development for mini soccer for boys and girls under the age of 10 and regularly provides a venue for local competitions at this age group.

Club members also take part in coaching sessions at this level in local schools. Youngsters of either sex are encouraged to take part in mini soccer within the club's retention, equity and general policies (all underlined above).

In addition the club will endeavour to participate in mini soccer tournaments organised by Norfolk Football Association and club officials will be encouraged to attend FA mini soccer match day skills courses for referees and managers.

The club will have dedicated marked out pitches specifically for mini soccer at a chosen site used by the club (currently these sites are Hethersett Memorial Playing Field, Hethersett Old Hall School and Hethersett Middle School).

LINKS WITH SCHOOLS

Hethersett Athletic has close links with local schools which have been developed since the club's foundation in 1991.

Club matches are played on pitches at Hethersett Middle School Hethersett Old Hall School and Little Melton School. During matches, school facilities are utilised.

In addition coaching sessions have been undertaken by club officials over the years at village schools.

Pupils from local schools are encouraged to join the club and many have done so. Indeed many players are still with the club, having moved through the education system from first school to sixth form.

The appointment of a publicity officer has enhanced and heightened the links with schools and the present club chairman is also chair of governors at the village middle school.

In addition a schools' liaison officer has been appointed to co-ordinate and improve on the relationships between the club and local schools.

In addition to the above, Hethersett Athletic Football Club will support any local school's attempts to apply to become an FA Charter Standard School. This will be carried out by close liaison between the school and officials of Hethersett Athletic Football Club who will be prepared to sit as members of working parties and/or committees. Hethersett Athletic's Development Officer will help to facilitate grants for schools.

The club will also encourage school staff to become involved with Hethersett Athletic as part of a two-way exchange of skills and abilities to the mutual benefit of both organisations.

LINKS WITH YOUTH SOCCER

Hethersett Athletic's primary aim is to promote and provide football within the village with the stated emphasis on youth soccer.

Since its foundation in 1991, Hethersett Athletic has provided soccer for all ages from eight upwards and regular fields up to nine boys and two girls teams in local youth soccer leagues. The club is openly supporting steps by Norfolk FA to introduce additional Under-18 leagues in the future.

The club provides itself on being one of the major providers of youth soccer in the county and we are always looking at ways to develop our youth links and increase the number of teams within the limits of facilities available.

STAFF DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME

Players, coaches and club officials are encouraged to undertake a variety of qualifications and acquire skills which can be utilised by the club. Financial support has been made available for this.

This has resulted in members gaining coaching, first aid, sports psychology, child protection and administrational qualifications over the past couple of years.

A register of skills and qualifications has been established. All requests for financial support for development are discussed by the club's committee. The committee regularly looks at additional development programmes in a number of areas.

It is planned to hold training days for coaches/managers and volunteers to encourage their development and the club plans to develop its own information packs as well as use commercial videos and materials to this end. In addition it is hoped to appoint a Head Coach in 2007 from existing coaches with Level 2 badges.

Club coaches are encouraged to join the Norfolk Football Coaches Association and/or the Football Association Coaches Association. Coaches are encouraged to develop their coaching skills wherever possible.

In addition club officials and coaches are also encouraged to take part in Norfolk FA's EFCA programme in order to enhance their ability to help run Hethersett Athletic Football Club

Referees' Development

Hethersett Athletic fully recognises the importance of referees to the game of football. All players are instructed to accept the decision of the match referee. Dissent from players towards match officials is not tolerated and persistent offenders can expect to be asked to answer to the club as well as the relevant disciplinary bodies.

In order to further the development of referees, the club is keen to recruit qualified officials and it is our intention to appoint a qualified referee to look after recruitment and retention of qualified officials within the club.

In addition the club will encourage players, officials, managers and coaches to undertake referees' courses and to pass on their expertise to other club members. Our ultimate aim is to have one qualified referee for each three teams.

DEVELOPMENT OF NEW TEAMS

The club prides itself on providing football for all ages and both sexes. This has resulted in running up to 15 teams each season. This has included mini soccer for those under the age of 10 and also girls and women's teams and adult teams.

At any one time the club can be running up to 11 youth and girls teams and actively encourages new managers and coaches to come forward to organise new teams and "fill in" any gaps which exist.

New team managers are encouraged to join the club committee and take an active part in club life. Full support is given to new teams. This includes facilitating entry into local leagues, arranging fixtures and ensuring they have satisfactory equipment.

It is the aim of the club to run boys teams at Under-8, Under-9, Under-10, Under-11, Under-12, Under-13, Under-14, Under-15, Under-16, Under-17 and Under-18; girls teams at Under-11, Under-13 and Under-15 and at least one woman's team at adult level. In addition we aim to run three adult men's teams and mini soccer - making a total of 19 teams. We are also looking to introduce a veterans team and a disability team. It is hoped to achieve this target within five years. New teams will receive the full backing of the officers of the club. All new and potential youth team managers will be fully vetted by the club committee. This will involve obtaining two independent references and also asking the individual to appear before a club committee meeting. Only after this procedure has been followed to the satisfaction of the club committee will that person be allowed to organise, coach and run a youth team.

Anyone interested in running additional teams is encouraged to contact any of the club's officials.

All coaches, managers and helpers of youth teams will be subject to a Criminal Records' Bureau check. This is mandatory and not negotiable.

Exit Route Policy

The aim of Hethersett Athletic Football Club is to encourage players to move through the youth teams into adult football. The club's further stated aim is to provide competitive football for both sexes and all age groups from mini soccer upwards.

If, however, 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 same applies to coaches and those helping to run and organise teams.

Players and coaches/managers are encouraged to play a full part in the playing and social side of the club.

The club will not, however, stand in the way of any player who wishes to leave. The club will co-operate in any transfer requests from individual players or other clubs who have the agreement of a player to join them. The club will report to the county FA any incidents of illegal approaches to players and or managers/coaches.

The club respects and supports players' wishes to make the most of their talents. The club will foster and develop these talents wherever possible within the structure of the club. At the same time Hethersett Athletic recognises the rights of a player to leave the club if he/she wishes to do so.

Players are encouraged to become part of academy sides and whenever possible the management committee and/or managers and coaches will recommend suitable players for representative honours.

This will include putting individual players forward for development centres, centres of excellence, Norfolk Schools' FA representative teams and Norfolk County FA representative teams.

In the event of players wishing to join Hethersett Athletic in an age group for which there is no team, the club will suggest alternative local clubs for the player to join. The details of such players will be kept by the club and the players will be contacted if Hethersett Athletic starts up a team at the appropriate age level.

State of Pitches Policy

The club has a responsibility towards the pitches that it uses and must consider the longer term implications of playing on pitches that are considered unfit.

A decision on whether a pitch is playable should rest with the owners, club officials and the match referee (if one is appointed).

Matches should be postponed if

The pitch is deemed to be unsafe and a hazard to players.
The pitch is deemed to be safe but unplayable
Playing on the pitch will cause irreparable damage to the playing surface.
Line markings are indistinct and there are no facilities for marking the pitch out available

Definition of the above is as follows:

The pitch is deemed to be unsafe and a hazard to players when, in the opinion of officials, playing a match could lead to players suffering injuries due to the pitch condition. Examples would be frost, ice, snow and flints and stones.

The pitch is deemed to be safe but unplayable when there are specific reasons why the game should not go ahead e.g standing water or snow.

Playing on the pitch will cause irreparable damage to the playing surface when it is considered by officials that to play on the surface will severely affect the state of the pitch for future matches e.g will turn the surface into mud.

Line markings are indistinct and there are no facilities available will occur when the match referee decides that the markings are insufficient to go ahead with the match. This could be through lack of markings or through snow.

In addition to the above, the club will regularly monitor the state of pitches, ensuring that line markings and grass cuttings are undertaken on a regular basis.

Disability

Hethersett Athletic is an equal opportunities club and welcomes volunteers, players, coaches and officers irrespective of race, creed, religion or disability. People with disabilities are encouraged to join the club in an active capacity.

Ultimately it is the aim of the club to introduce a number of disabled teams as and when facilities become available. We are working closely with Norfolk FA and Active Norfolk's Disability Sports and Equality Officer to foster good relations and arrange coaching taster days involving disabled people and club coaches.

Any club member found guilty of discrimination through race, creed, colour or disability will be excluded from club membership.

Club Membership

Club membership has been introduced for players and officials in order to improve the corporacy of the club and to make us more accountable. Club members make a one off payment of £5 per season which should be collected from players at the beginning of the season. Honorary Life Club Members are excluded from paying this fee. In 2007 a new category of honorary club membership has been introduced to mark players completing 300 league and cup appearances for the club. These players will be excused the annual club membership fee but retain full voting rights.

MANAGERS/COACHES VETTING PROCEDURE

All new team managers and coaches intending to run youth teams or adult teams which include players under the age of 16 on behalf of Hethersett Athletic will undergo a vetting procedure.

This will consist of a meeting with club officials. Each new coach/manager working with youth players will be expected to provide two written references attesting to their suitability to fulfil the post. They will also be asked by officers whether they have any outstanding police convictions against their name.

New coaches and managers will be accepted by the club if they are deemed suitable to run a team as outlined above. Copies of their references and a letter of acceptance will remain on club files. All new coaches and managers will be subject to a Criminal Records' Bureau (CRB) check.

OVERALL SUPPORT FOR SPORT IN HETHERSETT

Club officials and members actively support all sport in the village. Football Club committee members also serve on the village parish council and Memorial Playing Field Committee.

One of the club's stated aims is to

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

The club also shares pitches at Hethersett Memorial Playing Field with Hethersett Cricket Club and Hethersett Hawks Cycle Speedway Club with which it has a close relationship. Many of the footballers also play for the cricket club.

Hethersett Athletic will continue to support the development of all sport and sports facilities for the benefit and enjoyment of all those living in the village.

Business Case for Sponsorship

Hethersett Athletic actively seeks sponsorship for a number of reasons including the following:

· To raise funds for the club

· To improve our professionalism through better equipment and facilities

· To improve links with the local community

· To improve links with companies

A pack is given to potential sponsors. This gives a brief history of the club and also facts and figures and a description of the specific team seeking sponsorship. Included below is a section on what we can offer sponsors in return. Hethersett Athletic is very aware that sponsorship is a two-way matter and that sponsors should be made welcome and feel part of the club.

* * *

In return for sponsorship we will undertake to:

· Promote the sponsors' name through internal documents including headed notepaper and an internal club newsletter.

· Promote the sponsors name via the club's official Internet Web site at www.hethersettathletic.org.uk.

· Encourage club members to use the sponsors and generally promote the sponsors' name wherever and whenever possible.

· Obtain high profile Media coverage (e.g presentation of shirts and articles throughout the season).

· Provide Press coverage of the club as a whole during the season.

· Invite sponsors to high profile club events such as presentation evenings, annual meetings, social events etc.

· Underline that sponsors will be supporting both youth and sport in a large village and be associated with one of the fastest developing football clubs in Norfolk.

· Prominently display an advertising board at home matches, provided by the sponsors to any design they wish.

· Purchase goods associated with the sponsors' name.

Hethersett Athletic has the ability to become one of the top football clubs in Norfolk. By sponsoring our team you will help us to achieve this aim and in return we will promote your products whenever and wherever possible.

SOCIAL SIDE

The club also enjoys a social side which culminates in a meal and presentation evening for the adult teams in May and a family funday for the youth teams at the end of the season. Other social events such as barbecues and quizzes are organised throughout the year.

At the presentation evenings/days each team makes its own individual presentations followed by club awards to mark 50, 100, 150, 200, 250 and 300 career appearances and 50, 100 and 150 career goals. The main award of the club is the Lee Thompson Memorial Trophy for the player or official who has given outstanding service to the club during the year. The trophy commemorates club player Lee Thompson who was tragically killed in a car accident.

The club also has a fund-raising officer who arranges barbecues and various other events and many of the younger teams raise money from sponsored events. The club's annual meeting is held in either July or August.

INJURIES TO PLAYERS

Support will be given to players requiring treatment and/or physiotherapy. In addition and "injury form" should be filled in by team managers/coaches every time a player has to leave the field through injury. This form, giving details of the injury and its severity and the action taken will be lodged with the club secretary immediately after the match. Forms are available from the club secretary.

CONCLUSION

Hethersett Athletic is a thriving and growing club which has the potential to become one of the top in the county of Norfolk.

However big we become we will never deviate from our aims to provide the best possible soccer for as many local players as possible. We will always do this within the spirit of the game and in the wider world of sport in general.

We will endeavour to achieve the club's aims, as stated in the development plan, by regularly re-assessing our aims and objectives and development plan and by setting realistic, achievable and measurable goals and striving to become a centre for soccer excellence at all ages.

These objectives will be discussed regularly as an agenda item at club committee meetings and initial objectives for the coming year will be set-up at the first club committee meeting following the annual general meeting. The club will also define a rolling three and five year plan.

The club development plan was adopted by the club committee on May 2nd, 2002 and amended at the annual meeting of July 2003. It has subsequently been reviewed, amended and updated in March 2007.

Signed: Peter Steward (Chair)

Mel Perkins (Secretary)