Parental / Guardian Consent

As a part of the Club’s structure and to meet current legislation we require your consent for a number of matters whilst your child is in our care. Please read the following carefully as this is what you will be agreeing to:-

Aberaeron Football Club supports the Football Association of Wales “Behind the Line. Behind the Team” Campaign, which aims to improve behaviours in junior and youth Football in Wales. We all have a responsibility to ensure that everyone involved in football finds it to be a fun, safe and a positive experience. As Parents and Spectators, you have a great opportunity to be a positive role model and help build a child’s confidence. Please show your support for your team and club by reading and agreeing to the FAW Code of Conduct. 

By agreeing to this code, you are demonstrating your understanding and willingness to abide by the following:

Parent & Spectator Code. The Parent/Spectator agrees to:

• Never force a child to play football

• Always remember: children play for their enjoyment, not yours!

• Encourage your child to play by the Rules/Laws. Make it clear that cheating is just a way to get an unfair advantage by dodging the Rules

• Teach your child that victory isn’t everything – playing as well as you can is just as important. On any day, no more than half the teams can win, so defeat is no disgrace.

• Never yell at a player for making a mistake. Never sneer or use sarcasm – you’ll make the player feel like a total failure. Remember: they are not playing for your benefit.

• Applaud good play – by either team. Back up the referee: don’t publicly question their fairness.  Children learn best by a good example!

• Encourage your child to improve their skills through coaching provided by their relevant Aberaeron FC coach, not supporters on the sideline. 

• Stay off the pitch! Coaches and referees are qualified to be there. They have worked hard to earn their qualifications. If you want to get involved in football, join them and learn how. Otherwise don’t interfere.

• Don’t abuse anyone – especially the referee. Like the coaches, they are volunteers and unpaid. They have given up their spare time. If you abuse the referee. they might not return. And how can your child play football without a referee?

• Take care of club kit, maintain in good order and return at the end of season

 • Respond to all correspondence promptly

 • Discuss any concerns with the Head Coach

 • Please be aware that all players that wear glasses need suitable alternatives to train and play (sport glasses, contact lenses etc) for Health & Safety.

Players’ Code

• Play for Fun - Not just to please your parents or coach

• Play by the Rules - No rules – No Game. Don’t cheat.

• Don’t argue with the referee - Theywon’t change their decision, and might penalise your team again for arguing

• Control your temper - and your mouth.

• Never give up - The game’s not lost until it’s won (by one side or the other).

• Be a good sport - Recognise good football – even when it comes from the other team.

• Be fair - Don’t chuck your weight about.

• Improve your skill - You’ll play and feel better

• Don’t be selfish - Co-operate with your team and the referee and your opponents. Without them, you have no game.

• Don’t show off - even when you’ve scored.

• Be proud of being a member of your club - Dress smartly in your team kit which has been provided to you.

Any breaches or concerns will be dealt with by action being taken against you by either the club, Area Association or the Football Association of Wales including:

Social Media Policy 

1. Introduction
1.1. The Association recognises that the use of Social Media can have a positive impact on the promotion and accessibility of Football in Wales. The Association promotes within these Regulations the FAW Fair Play Code and encourages, players, clubs, club officials and match officials to exercise respect, responsibility and integrity when using Social Media.

1.2. These Regulations are designed to ensure the responsible use of Social Media Platforms by all those involved in Association Football. This Regulation aims to prevent the use of Social Media in any way which may be harmful to the interests of Association Football. It is the Association’s intention to take vigorous action against individuals and/or clubs who act in any way in contravention of this Regulation.

1.3. All players, clubs, club officials and match officials should refer to the guidance on the use of Social Media Platforms contained within the Football Association of Wales’ “Off The Pitch” policy.

2. Social Media Platforms
2.1. Social Media is defined as “websites and applications that enable users to create and share content or to participate in social networking”.

2.2. For the purpose of these Regulations, Social Media Platforms will include (without limitation) the following:

2.2.1. Twitter;
2.2.2. Facebook;
2.2.3. MySpace;
2.2.4. LinkedIn; and
2.2.5. Instagram.

The Association recognises that there are numerous Social Media Platforms available and the above list is not intended to be exhaustive.

3. Scope
3.1. Where there is sufficient evidence of an offence as specified under this Regulation, the individual and/or club concerned will be charged with a Disciplinary Offence as set out under FAW Rule 38 and the matter dealt with in accordance with the provisions set out in Section E of the Rules.

4. Offence
4.1. Any player, club, club official or match official must not post, on any Social Media Platform, a comment which:

4.1.1. Implies bias of any player, club, club official or match official;

4.1.2. Questions the integrity of any player, club, club official or match official;

4.1.3. Is abusive, threatening, derogatory or of a personal nature which is likely to cause offence at
any time; or

4.1.4. Brings the Association or the game of Association Football into disrepute.

4.2. Any player, club, club official or match official who posts, on any Social Media Platform, a post which is deemed to be of a discriminatory nature, as defined by section 3.1 of the Non-Discrimination Regulations, shall be charged pursuant to the Non Discrimination Regulations.

4.3. Upon receipt of a report that any player, club, club official or match official may have used a Social Media
Platform in any way which may contravene this Regulation, the Association will investigate and decide on the appropriate action to be taken.

4.4. Any player, club, club official or match official who is deemed to be in breach of this Regulation may be
charged with a disciplinary offence under the FAW Rules and sanctioned in accordance with Section E.

5. Aberaeron Junior’s Football Club’s Additional Rules
5.1 All age groups to set up and operate a What’s App or Messenger Group as a means of communication
between coach and players/parents with regards training, matches and other football related matters
only.

5.2 Administrators of these groups should be limited to the coaches only. Each group will also have a Club
Safeguarding Officer (CSO) as an Admin also.

5.3 Parents/Guardians of all children who have signed to play for the club should be added as Members to the Group.

5.4 Parents/Guardians should monitor their children’s activity on Social Media.

 I agree to abide by all of the above points.

Any breaches or concerns will be dealt with by action being taken against you by either the club, Area Association or the Football Association of Wales including:
• Summoned to a meeting with a Club, League or Area Safeguarding Officer or Club Committee.
• Monitored by the league or another club.
• Requested to attend appropriate FAW training.
• Suspended from attending matches.
• Required to leave the club.
• Subjected to a fine and/or suspension on the club imposed by the FAW, including the withdrawal of coaching qualifications.

COVID-19 Compliance and Guidelines 

Numbers Able to Attend
FAW regulations state that a maximum group of 15 people can train per half pitch. This number includes a coach (e.g. 14 players and one coach). If two coaches are available, then there can be up to 30 people (2 groups of 15, half a pitch each) on one full pitch. If only one coach is available, then only the first 14 players who register at the gate will be able to train. Please communicate with the coaching staff in advance to say that you can attend. If more than 14 players want to attend training then the club will try to ensure another coach is available, but this will obviously not always be possible. Parents/guardians WILL NOT be permitted to enter the gates onto the playing field and will have to return to their cars etc for the duration of training.


For junior football, where the player to coach ratio is less than 14:1, the pre-COVID ratio will be maintained, but still ensuring no more than 15 people per half pitch. The ratios are:
• 4-8 year olds - 1 adult to 6 players
• 9-12 year olds – 1 adult to 8 players
• 13-16 year olds – 1 adult to 10 players

Registration
All players attending a training session must register at the gate before each session. A coach/helper will ask for a name and phone number in line with track and trace regulations. The player will also be asked whether they’ve had any COVID-19 symptoms in the last 14 days, been in contact with anyone with COVID-19 symptoms in the last 14 days or been asked to self-isolate by track and trace in the last 14 days. Players should not attend if any of the answers to the questions are ‘Yes’. If a player is too young to answer these questions, then parents/guardians must bring them to the entrance and answer on their behalf. 

Access to and from the Training Pitch
Each age group training on the same night will access their pitch from separate entrances.

The Under 6’s, Under 10’s and Under 14’s will access the pitch via entrance A (the small gate opposite the Fire Station car park, see map attached) and the Under 8’s, Under 12’s and Under 16’s will access the pitch via entrance B (the small gate closest to the seafront carpark, next to the public toilets).  The seniors will access the pitch via entrance B only when all Under 16’s players have left the pitch. Seniors must stay in their cars until all players have left.

Equipment
Each player must bring their own hand sanitiser and water bottle clearly labelled. There will be marked areas to ensure players do not mix their belongings. Players must not share water bottles or hand sanitisers. As bibs cannot be shared, please bring a black top/t-shirt and a coloured top/t-shirt. All equipment (cones, footballs, posts etc.) will be sanitised before and after training by the coaching staff.

Other Guidance
• Players must be dropped off by a member of the same household or can arrive to training venue alone (if appropriate age)
• For players aged 12 and above social distancing should be maintained before and after training and during breaks
• No handling of the ball (apart from goalkeepers wearing own gloves)
• No throw-ins
• No hand contact (handshakes, first bumps etc)
• No spitting is allowed
•All players must listen and adhere to instructions given by coaching staff.
• Shower at home before, and after training