Keynsham Town Junior Football Club (KTJFC) understands that football is an international game embraced by many nations of the world. All those involved with the game at all levels of the game have a responsibility to the game that is above and beyond compliance with the law, to act according to the highest standards of integrity and the ensure that the reputation of the game and Keynsham Town Junior football Club is maintained at all times

KTJFC is part of the local community and will respect that position at all times and take into account the local community when making decisions.

KTJFC is opposed to discrimination in any form and will promote measures to prevent it

KTJFC promotes a sense of ownership to all members of the club, this includes the players, manage, coach, officiate and support. KTJFC is committed to consulting, where appropriate, at all levels.

KTJFC acknowledges that it has an influence over young people and pledges to set a positive example at all times.

KTJFC acknowledges that public confidence demands the highest standards of financial and administrative behaviour within the game. Corruption and improper practices will not be tolerated.

KTJFC will uphold a relationship of trust and respect between everybody involved in the game, whether they are individuals, clubs or other organisations.

KTJFC rejects the use of violence of any nature to anyone involved in the game.

KTJFC is committed to fairness in its dealings with all those involved in the game.

KTJFC is committed to the principle of playing to win consistent with Fair Play

The Child-Safe Policy, approved by the Avon & Somerset Constabulary, adopted by Avon Youth League, is endorsed by the Committee, Managers, Coaches, Parents and Guardians for operation throughout Keynsham Town Juniors FC. 

Please take time to read the guidelines carefully – they will help you to understand child abuse and what to do if a child tells you about abuse.

Forms Of Child Abuse:
Sexual Abuse
Both boys and girls can be sexually abused in the following ways:

·         Full sexual intercourse, masturbation, oral sex and fondling

·         Showing children pornographic books and videos

·         Asking children to take part in making videos or taking pornographic photographs

What to look for:

·        Pain, itching, bruising or bleeding in genital area 

·        Stomach pains

·        Discomfort when walking

·        Unexplained sources of money

·        Inappropriate drawings, language or behaviour

·        Aggressive, withdrawn behaviour or fear of one person 

Physical Abuse
Physical abuse can be in the form of injuries sustained through hitting, shaking, squeezing, biting, or burning. In certain situations, abuse may occur when the nature and intensity of training exceeds the capacity of the child’s body. 

What to look for:

·       unexplained or untreated injuries

·       injuries on unlikely parts of the body

·       cigarette burns, bite or belt marks, scalds 

Neglect
Where adults:

·         fail to meets a child's basic physical needs e.g. Food, warmth and clothing

·       constantly leave a child alone and unsupervised

·       fail or refuse to give children love, affection or attention 

Neglect might also occur during organised activities if young people are placed in an unstable environment, are exposed to extreme weather conditions or are at risk from being injured. 

What to look for:  

·         poor personal hygiene

·         constantly hungry

·         inappropriate clothing or dress

·         constantly tired

·         underweight

·         no parental support or interest

·         dishevelled appearance

Emotional Abuse
This form of abuse includes:

·      persistent lack of love or attention  

·      frequently shouting at children

·       taunting children

·       over-protection which can lead to poor social skills 

Emotional abuse may include situations where parents, coaches or organisers subject children to constant criticism, bullying or unrealistic pressure to perform to high expectations. 

What to look out for:

·         over-reaction to mistakes

·      sudden speech disorders

·      extreme emotions and self mutilation. 

What to do if a child tells you about abuse? 

·      Most importantly, you should listen attentively and let he/she know it was right to tell someone about their worries. Stay calm and make sure that the child feels safe and knows that he/she is not to blame for what has happened.

·      Explain that you will have to tell someone else about the abuse if it is to stop.

·      Only ask questions that establish what was done and who did it

·      Make a note of what the child said and the date and time of your conversation.

·       Don’t act without seeking help from your organisation’s Child Protection Officer, or from Social    Services or the police, who must be informed about all suspected cases of child abuse.

·      Seek advice before telling parents or carers about the conversation or let any person suspected of abuse know what’s happening – you could be putting the child in greater danger by doing so.

·       Don’t worry that you may be making things worse by reporting your concerns – few things are worse than allowing child abuse to continue. Many children are devastated by the experience of abuse and, in the most serious cases, may be seriously harmed or have their life threatened. 

The Child-Safe Code for Staff and Volunteers

 DO:

·         Treat all young people with respect and take notice of their reactions to your tone of voice and manner

·      Always seek the parents and child’s consent if she/he is very young or disabled and needs help to go to the toilet.

·      Remember that it is okay to touch in a way which isn’t intrusive or disturbing to he/she or to observers

·      Make sure that any allegations or suspicions are recorded and acted upon 

DO NOT:

·         Engage in rough physical games including horseplay

·      Touch a child in an intrusive or sexual manner

·      Make sexually suggestive comments to a child, even as a joke

·      Do things of a personal nature that a child can do for themselves, such as going to the toilet or changing clothes 

TRY TO AVOID:

·         Spending too much time alone with a child

·      Giving a child a lift in your car

·      Taking a child to you home

If some of these things are unavoidable, try to get parental permission first. If this isn’t possible make sure you let parents know what has happened as soon as you can.

Players are the most important people in the sport. Playing for the team, and for the team to win, is the most fundamental part of the game. But not winning at any cost – Fair Play and respect for the opposition, officials and supporters are fundamentally important. Keynsham Town Junior FC recognise that although football is a sport it is also, primarily as past-time and as such the enjoyment of the game is central to the club’s philosophies and policies. 

Obligations towards the game
A player should:

1. Make every effort to develop their own sporting abilities, in terms of skill, technique, tactics and     stamina.

2. Give maximum effort and strive for the best possible performance at all times during a game and irrespective of the result.

3.  Set a positive example to his team-mates. Never lose your temper or self control and never blame others for your own mistakes.

4. Avoid all forms of gamesmanship and time wasting.

5. Not use inappropriate language

Obligations towards one’s own team

A player should:

1. Make every effort consistent with Fair Play and the Laws of the Game to help his own team win.

2. Resist any influence, which might, or might be seen to, bring into question his commitment to the team winning.

3. Play their part is ensuring the player and their team-mates are enjoying playing the game.

4. Take a pride in yourself and the club. Always arrive at matches on time and with clean boots and kit.

5. Most important of all: make sure you ENJOY YOURSELF, win lose or draw, always shake hands with the opponents after the game and make sure you ALWAYS TRY YOUR BEST.

 Respect for the Laws of the Game

A player should:

1. Abide by the Laws, rules, spirit of the game and the ethos of the club at all times.

2.  Accept success and failure, victory and defeat, equally.

Respect For Others

A player should:

1. Treat opponents with due respect at all times, irrespective of the result of the game.

2. Safeguard the physical fitness of opponents, avoid violence and rough play, and help injured opponents.

 Respect towards the Match Officials

A player should:

1. Accept the decision of the Referee or their assistance without protest or show of dissent.

2. Avoid words or actions, which may mislead a Match Official

3. Show due respect towards all Match Officials, whether they are appointed or volunteers.

 Respect towards Team Officials

A player should:

1. Abide by the instructions of the Coach and Team Officials, provided they do not contradict the spirit of this Code.

2. Show due respect towards the Team Officials of the opposition and all spectators and supporters who should equally show due respect to you.

3. Equally, never abuse the facilities provided and report those who you see doing so.

Parents and spectators, irrespective of their relationship with the players, the team or the club have a great influence on children’s enjoyment and success in football. All children play football because they first and foremost love the game – it’s fun. This is fundamental to the philosophy of Keynsham Town Junior FC and is the cornerstone to all its policies and procedures.  It is important to remember that however good a child becomes at football within, the team or the club, it is important for the adult to reinforce this message.

It should also be stressed that irrespective of the talent displayed by the child you are supporting he/she is only one player in the team. Consequently do not abuse any of the other players, from his/her team or the opposition and take no action that makes the player feel he/she may be more important than the team or the club. Such action cannot be tolerated in a team environment. It this respect it is recognised that parents aspirations are, understandably for their child. It is important to recognise and remember that the manager and coaches has to focus on the needs of the team, with regard to players and their playing positions.

Obligations to the Child

Children play football for reasons of:

Enjoyment
Being with friends
Self esteem
Benefits of organised matches and quality coaching.

An FA survey of children and young people reveals that most children who drop out of playing football do so for reasons of parental and adult pressure to win or score goals etc.

Obligations to Others

The Supporter must remember:

A spectator’s expectations and attitudes have a significant bearing on a  child’s  attitude towards:

1. Other players. Do not show any signs of abuse towards other players in your team   or the opposition.  

2. Officials.  

3. Managers. The managers and coaches may well be trying to get the players to conform to a particular system. Please encourage but leave all tactical decisions to the manager and coach.
   
   Please respect that all the managers, coaches and club officials are volunteers. Comments concerning an individual child or his/her team mates are welcomed but, must at all times, be conveyed in an acceptable manner. Should this not be the case and incidents are repeated it may be necessary to consider the benefits of the child staying within the family of KTJFC.

  How spectators interact with each other may affect the players. 

  Do not behave in such a manner that is likely to cause conflict.

It is important, therefore, that the actions and behaviour of the spectator does not conflict with the Players Code of Conduct.

 Obligations to the Team

The Supporter must Encourage:  

Encourage parents / spectators to:    

1.     Applaud the opposition as well as your own team.

2.      Avoid coaching the child during the game.

3.      Not shout and scream.

4.      Respect the referee’s decision.

5.     Give attention to each of the children involved in football not just the most talented.

6.     Give encouragement to everyone to participate in  football.

Please remember these are children playing football in a children’s way. Do not compare their performances to adult football. They will get nearer the adult game as they get older.

It is important that all spectators adhere to this Code of Conduct. The Club enjoys its respected position in the footballing community and will not allow that position to be compromised. 

A sensible level of discipline is a crucial factor in maintaining the Keynsham Town JFC Code of Conduct. Which applies to training sessions as well as matches. Constant breaching of the code may result in players being excluded from matches.

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