Coaches, Mentors & Trainers

All Coaches, Mentors and Trainers (referred to hereafter as Coaches) should ensure that young people and children benefit significantly from our games by providing a positive, healthy and encouraging ethos for all. In developing the skills levels of every player you should always encourage enjoyment, fun and participation in our games and activities. Coaches should always remember that they are role models for the players in their care.

Maintaining a child centred approach:

• Respect the rights, dignity and worth of every person and treat each one equally regardless of age, gender, ability, ethnic origin, cultural background or religion.
• Be positive during coaching sessions, games and other activities so that participants always leave with a sense of achievement and an increased level of self-esteem.
• Recognise the development needs and capacity of all young players, regardless of their ability, by emphasising participation for all while avoiding excessive training and competition. Skills development and personal satisfaction should have priority over competition.
• Develop an understanding of relevant coaching methods and ensure that you have the appropriate level of coaching accreditation.
• Don’t equate losing with failure and do not develop a preoccupation with medals and trophies. The level of improvement made by young players is the best indicator of effective coaching.

Coaches should lead by example

• Avoid smoking while working with young players.
• Do not consume alcohol or non prescribed drugs immediately prior to or while young players are in your care.
• Never use foul language or provocative language/gestures to a player, opponent or match official.
• Only enter the field of play with the referee’s permission and should not question a referee’s decisions or integrity.
• Encourage players to respect and accept the judgement of match officials.
• Promote Fair Play.
• Encourage parents to become involved in our activities wherever possible.

Conduct of Coaches when working with young people

• Don’t shout at or lecture players
• Don’t reprimand/ridicule them when they make a mistake. Children learn best through trial and error. Children and Young people should not be afraid to risk error so as to learn.
• Never use any form of physical punishment or physical force.
• Avoid incidents of horse play or role play or telling jokes etc that could be misinterpreted.
• Ensure that all physical contact is appropriate and has the permission or understanding of the young person.
• Never undertake any form of therapy – hypnosis etc, in the training of children.
• Develop an appropriate working relationship with children based on mutual trust and respect.
• Challenge bullying in any form whether physical or emotional. Bullying is not acceptable behaviour be it from a young person, mentor, parent or guardian.
• Avoid compromising your role as a Coach
• Avoid a situation where you are alone in a car or dressing room with a player.
• Avoid taking coaching sessions on your own.
• Avoid spending excessive amounts of time alone with a player or away from others.
• Avoid taking young players to your home.

Fair Play & Best practice

• Ensure that all players are suitably and safely attired to play their chosen sport.
• Keep a record of attendance at training and at games by both players and coaches.
• Be punctual and properly attired.
• Set realistic – stretching but achievable – performance goals.
• Encourage parents/guardians to play an active role in organising and assisting various activities for your teams and your club.
• Use mobile phones, if deemed appropriate, only via a group texts system for communicating with the parents/guardians of players and receive such permission at the commencement of each season.
• Do not communicate individually by text with under age players.
• Keep a record of each injury and action taken. Ensure that another official referee/team mentor is present when a player is being attended to and can corroborate the relevant details.
• Ensure that all dressing rooms and the general areas that are occupied by your players and other club personnel, prior to, during or immediately following the completion of any match are kept clean and are not damaged in any way.
• If it is necessary to transport a child/young person in your car, ensure that they are seated in a rear seat with seat belts securely fastened.
• Make adequate provision for First Aid services.
• Do not encourage or permit players to play while injured