EKRR FC

Participation Agreement

This agreement sets out the relationship and responsibilities between EKRR Football Club (‘EKRR FC’, ‘the Club’), its Officials, its Players and — in the case of players under 18 — their parents or guardians, in respect of participation in Club activities (for example, games, training, events and tournaments).

The Club operates three Sections: EKRR AFC, EKRR Youth and EKRR Over 35. This agreement applies across all three Sections. Where a provision relates specifically to one Section (in particular the Youth Section, where parents and guardians are also a party to this agreement) that is made clear in the relevant clause.

CLUB’S RESPONSIBILITIES TO PLAYERS AND PARENTS

The Club and its representatives (including coaches, team managers, designated parent helpers in the Youth Section, and any appointed officers) (‘Officials’) shall:

•       Promote sportsmanship and fair play in players, officials, parents and supporters, irrespective of gender, race, religion, age or social status.

•       Provide a positive, safe and competitive environment in which to play football.

•       Act in the best interests of the Player in their care.

•       Uphold any official rules and guidelines issued by the relevant governing body and make the same known to Players and (where applicable) Parents.

•       Hold the relevant qualifications, disclosure checks and other legal requirements (including PVG clearance where required) to operate properly in their capacity as Club Officials.

•       Maintain in confidence any information designated confidential and shared with them in their capacity as Club Officials.

•       Use best efforts to fairly investigate and resolve any matters brought to their attention.

•       Act in the best interests of the Club and each of its Sections as a whole.

PLAYER’S AND PARENT’S RESPONSIBILITIES

Players (and, in the case of the Youth Section, their Parents or Guardians) acknowledge as follows:

1. As a Parent or Guardian (Youth Section)

a.     encourage fair play to ALL players – EKRR and opponents;

b.     be patient and supportive towards all the players and the coaches;

c.     ensure my child is physically and mentally prepared, with appropriate clothing, for all activities;

d.     support the Club’s approach to safeguarding and raise any wellbeing concerns promptly with a Club Official or Child Wellbeing & Protection Officer.

2. As a Player

a.     be committed to giving my best to improve as a footballer and being a good member of the team;

b.     try my best in training and during games;

c.     practise when I can;

d.     respect my coaches, parents (where applicable), team-mates and players and coaches from other teams;

e.     attend training and matches as agreed with the coaching team, and let the team know in good time if I am unable to attend;

f.      look after Club and Section kit and equipment and return it in good condition when asked;

g.     meet my financial commitments to the Section (subs, fees and other agreed contributions) on time.

3. Reading and Complying with Club Documentation

Players and (in the Youth Section) Parents have read, understand and will comply with this Participation Agreement, the EKRR FC Constitution and Rules, and the relevant Section / Team handbook (available in the document section of the TeamApp or as otherwise circulated by the Club).

4. Conduct

Players and (where applicable) Parents shall conduct themselves at all times in their dealings with the Club and its activities with respect, integrity and honesty.

Players and (where applicable) Parents shall be responsible for their actions and omissions, and behave in a manner consistent with a positive environment for all players, officials, opponents and supporters.

Players acknowledge that their conduct on and off the pitch reflects on their Section and on EKRR FC as a whole, and that bringing the Club into disrepute may result in disciplinary action.

5. Information Sharing

Players and (where applicable) Parents shall provide the Club’s Officials (and the Child Wellbeing & Protection Officer where relevant) with full, accurate and honest information regarding the following:

•       Any incidents arising during participation in Club activities.

•       Any injuries, medical conditions or changes in circumstances that the Club Officials should be aware of in the best interests of the Player and the squad.

•       Anything else the Player, Parent or Guardian would want the Club to be told about or know about – for the wellbeing of all involved.

CHALLENGING CIRCUMSTANCES

We each acknowledge that from time to time circumstances arise where behaviour is not as expected, or where Players or (in the Youth Section) Parents are unable or unwilling to uphold their responsibilities as envisaged in this agreement, and that poor behaviour may ensue.

We each agree that certain steps may need to be taken to resolve such situations. The escalation procedures below may be invoked, and Players (and, in the Youth Section, Parents) will be required to support them.

Typical Escalation Procedure

•       Private warning to the Player.

•       Formal warning to the Player.

•       Escalated warning to the Player (and, in the Youth Section, the Parent or Guardian).

•       Short-term sanction (e.g. missing a training session or fixture).

•       Longer-term suspension.

•       Expulsion from the Section or Club.

The starting point depends on the severity of the act. The following are illustrative; the Club reserves the right to apply sanctions appropriate to the circumstances and the age of the Player.

Youth Section – illustrative examples

•       Disruptive behaviour: starts with a gentle warning.

•       If continued, the Player will be suspended from a game or training session for up to ten minutes.

•       A second similar event during a game or training session will result in the Player being sent home and excluded from training and matches for a week. The Player will be required to apologise to the other players and coaches when they return.

•       Three exclusions will result in a consultation with the Player and their Parent(s). The Club has the right to ask the Player to leave.

•       Using foul or abusive language to a coach or other Player will likely result in a formal warning to the Player, with the Parent in attendance, and a one-week exclusion from games and training.

•       Bullying will result in a short-term exclusion as a minimum.

EKRR AFC and EKRR Over 35 – illustrative examples

•       Disruptive or disrespectful behaviour in training or on match-day: verbal warning from the coaching staff or Section Sub-Committee.

•       Repeat or more serious incidents: formal written warning and possible suspension from squad selection for one or more fixtures.

•       Foul or abusive language towards Officials, team-mates, opponents or match officials: formal warning and squad suspension, with the matter referred to the Section Sub-Committee.

•       Violent conduct, bullying, discriminatory behaviour or bringing the Club into disrepute: immediate suspension pending a disciplinary hearing convened by the Section Sub-Committee, with possible expulsion.

•       Persistent failure to meet financial or attendance commitments: review by the Section Sub-Committee, with possible removal from the Section.

Players in EKRR AFC and EKRR Over 35 are also subject to any disciplinary procedures of the relevant governing body and league, which apply in addition to this agreement.

Governance of Escalations

The Club has the right to ask a Player to leave at any time.

Within the Youth Section, behaviour will be discussed at coaches’ meetings at least monthly, and any escalation beyond the first level will be agreed with the coaching team. Long-term sanctions or exclusions will always be agreed in conjunction with the Youth Section Sub-Committee and, where appropriate, the Executive Committee.

Within EKRR AFC and EKRR Over 35, behaviour matters are handled by the respective Section Sub-Committee, with longer-term sanctions or expulsions reported to the Executive Committee.

Appeals will be considered in line with Section 15 (Appeal) of the EKRR FC Constitution and the rules of the relevant governing body.

We recognise that we don’t always get it right. Any concerns a Player or (where applicable) Parent has should be raised either directly with the main Team / Section representative, the Club Coach Co-ordinator or any of the Club’s Child Wellbeing & Protection Officers, and the Club will look to remedy them.

AGREEMENT

In signing this document, I agree to abide by all the guidelines and rules covering EKRR FC, including the Constitution and Rules, this Participation Agreement and the relevant Section / Team handbook.

Let the players PLAY, let the coaches COACH, let the officials OFFICIATE,

and let the spectators be POSITIVE.