SUNSHINE FOOTBALL CLUB

Junior Football Club Policy and Philosophy

Season 2010

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Introduction

The Sunshine Football Club (formerly Sunshine YCW) is part of the Sunshine YCW Sports Club. Having been formed in 1959, it has a long and proud history and in 2009 celebrated its 50^th Anniversary.

The Sunshine Football Club operates from its premises at the Ramon Vila Pavilion, Kinder Smith Reserve in Lily Street, Braybrook. The club fields a senior and reserve team in the WRFL A1 division, as well as under 18s, U16s, U14s, U12s, U10s and under 9s. The club also conducts the Auskick program each year. All coaches are fully accredited with at least level 1 qualification.

The Policy Document that is being provided is the product of considerable hard work and research by the Junior Committee and comes with the support of the Sunshine Football Club.  Please be assured that any input you wish to have into the workings of our club is not only welcome but encouraged.  This input can be in a range of forms, whether it regards our policies or philosophies, suggestions about the services and amenities provided by the club and within the club rooms, attending social functions or even seeking information as to involvement with sponsorship or a supporter’s group such as the 200 club. Hopefully, you will find the Sunshine Football Club a welcoming one with room for everyone to be involved.

Mission Statement

“To develop high quality citizens by promoting the physical, mental, moral and social well being of young people in the community by their active participation in sport.”

To achieve this mission, the following eight guiding principles underpin and reflect the core values of the club.

1) Showing pride in our jumper, facilities, tradition and reputation.

2) Ensuring we treat people fairly and equally, showing respect for all.

3) Encouraging the involvement of volunteers and acknowledging their involvement.

4) Providing a safe, healthy and friendly environment for all who come to the club.

5) Ensuring the clubs reputation in the community remains highly regarded.

6) Work within our financial limitations.

7) Achieving success on the field in each age group.

8) Operate within the guidelines of the Western Region Football League.

Sunshine Football Club junior football philosophy

Junior football is a place to learn and develop skills.

Junior football is a place to make friends and have fun.

Junior football is a place to develop a love of the game

Junior football is a place to develop self confidence and social skills.

Junior football is a place to encourage players to come back next year and develop their football further.

Sunshine Football Club - Expectation of Coaching Staff

Through the Sunshine Football Club, we endeavour to teach and support our youth not only on the football field, but also in their daily lives.  To do this we need to be committed to modelling the types of behaviour and qualities we espouse.

The Role of the Coach

* The development of all player skills, knowledge and attitudes.

* Acknowledgment that all players are unique and have their particular strengths and weaknesses, which need to be addressed.

* Positively support and encourage players for their efforts helping to build self-esteem.

Equity of Opportunity

The spirit of equity is that all players have the same opportunity to develop and enjoy their football.  We acknowledge that as our players move through the age groups the implementation of equity may vary.  The following points will apply:

Every effort should be made to ensure that all players have the opportunity to play as much football as possible in relation to:

* The number of games played in a season.

* The on field playing time each week.

* Opportunity to be involved in the game while on the field.

* Endeavour to give players the tools that they will require to advance to become good sports people.

*In order to help in the formalisation of the role in 2010, all coaches will be asked to keep detailed records to support this.  This information will be discussed at coaches meetings throughout the season.

With these important points in mind, our junior football philosophy and its policy was formulated a few years ago. The club continues to work on its adherence to this philosophy and stands firmly behind it.

Sunshine Football Club Junior Selection Policy

All players should be given as much ground time as possible and where possible, an equal amount of ground time as every other player. Ideally players should receive at least three quarters of ground time each game.

When a full bench is available, it is not possible to do this evenly. Players who don’t receive a full three quarters should be compensated the following week.

Where more players are available than can be selected, emergencies should be named and encouraged to come to game as water boys, boundary umpires etc. Last week’s emergencies will be next week’s starters. Teams or squads should be named at Friday night training. Coaches should give players/parents the opportunity to advise in advance of any unavailability through the season.

Player movements will be monitored by coaching staff so they can show players or parents the amount of ground time they have had, in the event of any grievance.

When discipline needs to be enforced by the coach for misbehavior the coach can override this policy if it is considered necessary.

Players should be played in as many different positions on the ground as is reasonable and possible throughout the season.

Skill development and sportsmanship should be emphasized as being more important than winning.

It is generally recognised that finals football is different from the home and away games.  The finals policy will be based on the following principles:

* An opportunity for as many players as is possible to experience finals football.

* An understanding that player selection and playing time for individual players gives the team the best possible opportunity to win.

* In the event of having a roster greater that 25 players, unfortunately, players may be required to miss at finals time. It is very important that when picking the teams this is taken into account and children and parents notified at the beginning of the season.

Coaches Code of Conduct:

* Players must always be addressed in a controlled and positive manner.

* No offensive language or cultural, sexist or racist references.

* Coaches are not to involve themselves in negative dialogue with opposition, coaches, officials, players, spectators or umpires.

* Coaches and team managers are responsible for the conduct of their officials, players and parents and should ensure that all behave in a responsible manner, accepting the decisions of umpires and officials.

*Coaches are required to report, to the committee, any official or spectator who they believe are behaving in a manner which may reflect badly on the Sunshine Football Club, as soon as possible.

* Abide by the Laws and Rules of your club and your league

* Teach the Rules, and mutual agreements which nobody should break

* Group players competitively

* Avoid overplaying talented players

* Maximise fun and place winning in perspective

* Stress safety always

* Consider maturity levels and devise training programs to suit all

* Develop team respect for opponents, umpires and coaches

* Recognise the importance of proper injury treatment

* Keep up to date with coaching developments

* Attain coaching accreditation and update regularly

* Avoid derogatory language based on gender or race.

Officials’ code of conduct

*Compliment both teams on their effort.

*Be consistent, objective and courteous in calling all infractions.

*Condemn the deliberate foul as being unsportsmanlike and promote fair play and appropriate sports behavior.

*Use common sense to ensure that overcalling violations does not lose the spirit of the game for children.

*Actions speak louder than words. Ensure that your own behavior is consistent with the principles of good sportsmanship.

*Make a personal commitment to keep yourself informed of sound officiating principles and the principles of growth and development of children.

*Support all efforts to remove verbal and physical abuse from sporting activities.

*Don’t do anything that will discredit or bring adverse attention to your club.

* Remember you are representing your club / league and setting as example to your players / parents

* Try to resolve any conflict in a calm, sensible manner (when possible in private)

* Be aware of potential volatile situations at all times and be prepared to deal with them appropriately

Players Code of Conduct

*Play by the rules of the game.

*Treat all players as you would like to be treated. Do not bully, interfere or take unfair advantage of another player.

*Co-operate with your coach, teammates, umpires and opponents. Without them there would be no game.

*Do not argue with the umpire or other officials. All queries should be directed through your coach.

*Acknowledge good play, whether it is from your teammates or your opposition.

*Control your temper. It is unacceptable to verbally abuse umpires, officials and opposition players.

*Under no circumstances should any player or official be abused based on race or gender.

*Do not deliberately foul or provoke your opposition.

*Do not throw equipment in a fit of temper. This is unacceptable in any sport.

* Be a team player and a good sport

* Play for fun and improvement

Parents and spectators code of conduct.

*Encourage participation but do not force your child to play if they don’t want to.

*Focus on the child’s effort and performance rather than the result of the game.

*Teach children that an honest effort is more important than victory so that results are accepted without undue disappointment.

*Children learn best by example. Acknowledge good play from both teams.

*Never ridicule or yell at a child for making a mistake or losing a game.

*Do not abuse umpires or opposition players and officials.

*Support all efforts to remove verbal and physical abuse from sporting activities.

*If you disagree with an umpires decision, raise it through the appropriate channels. Don’t question his decision in public.

*Recognize the value and importance of volunteer officials. Without them there would be no game.

*Always encourage children to play by the rules and accept the umpires’ decision at all times

* Remember, involvement is for their enjoyment, not yours

* Support your club officials to foster high standards of behaviour for your club and the league

Sponsorship

Junior clubs survive due to the hard work of volunteers, and also due to the generosity of local businesses as well as parents who generously sponsor the club in some way whether by cash donations, or donations of goods for raffle etc, or even donations of required items, e.g. drink bottles, training balls etc. If you are able to sponsor the club, or know someone who might, or even if you need the clubs help to approach someone, then please see, the Junior Administrator.

It is club policy that no individual teams receive exclusive sponsorship from an organisation.  This includes resources, apparel and financial support.  Offers of sponsorship need to be directed to the Junior Administrator of the club so they may look at the sponsorship to be benefited by other junior teams. This does not preclude each team from organising weekly awards for their team and others as well. It is important that the committee is aware of all awards (sponsorship) to ensure sensitivity.

Presentation Day and Voting procedure

The Presentation Day will be held after the completion of all season matches including finals if any.  All awards will be presented at this special afternoon.  Dates and details of the afternoon will be advised accordingly.  There are 5 Special award trophies per team with participation for U12, U14 and U16 with participation only for all players at U10 level.  Coaches cannot dictate what awards will be provided nor will they have authority to purchase any extra awards.

There is no voting at Under 9 and Under 10 age group, only weekly encouragement awards to be distributed evenly to all children over the year to recognise their efforts and achievements. It is advised that a record should be kept to ensure an even spread of awards throughout the year. For calculation of Best and Fairest Awards for U12, U14 & U16,  the team manager will hand out vote cards to parents who wish to participate. It is important that team managers advise vote givers the importance of the voting procedure and that the votes should go to the best and fairest player on the field that day for Sunshine. (Not the child that has played better than expected) Completed vote cards to be kept in a sealed envelope by team managers and handed to the Junior Administrator as required at the end of each round. It is not mandatory but recommended that coaches, team managers and runners should vote, but not every week. The five (5) highest vote receivers for the season will receive the awards and these are to be kept confidential until announced at the junior presentation day. The best five players for each team at U12 to U16 level will receive special awards on Presentation day. Participation awards will be presented to all U9 and U10 players. All U12, U14 and U16 who have not received a special award will receive a participation award. Thank you momentous will be presented to the coach and team managers.

Training

With the size of the club, and the large number of teams, a great deal of pressure can be placed on Kinder Smith Reserve as the training venue.  It is important that we are aware and respect the training needs of other teams within the club. The times the ground has been set aside for teams and age groups should be respected and the condition of the ground should be taken into account. The committee reserves the right to cancel training to protect the playing surface at Kinder Smith Reserve. Coaches should consider weather conditions and look for alternative venues and training during adverse conditions. Coaches should use the ground wisely and work with other coaches to do longer drills when more room is available.)

Like every other club in the district, an important point to consider is that with the current level of Water restrictions in place, we are under orders from State and Local government and this may continue to affect the viability of utilising Kinder Smith Reserve, which is all dependent on the outcome of the summer restrictions.

JUNIOR TRAINING TIMES WILL NORMALLY BE

* U16 - Wednesday and Friday – 5.30 – 6:30pm.

* U14 - Wednesday and Friday - 5:00-6:00pm.

* U12 - Wednesday and Friday - 5:00-6:00pm

* U10 – Wednesday and Friday – 4:30- 5:30

*U9 – Wednesday and Friday – 4:30 – 5:30

Under normal circumstances, we would expect teams to train at Kinder Smith Reserve.

Note pre-season training may be a different timetable to normal season so times and days are subject to change. Notice and information will be distributed in regards to this via the website, promotion and also announcements by coaching staff.

Coach Accreditation

To coach within the league, it is mandatory that all coaches are accredited as Level One coaches.  As a club, we endorse this policy and expect the club will cover all costs incurred in Level One Accreditation.

Coaches are strongly encouraged to pursue higher levels of accreditation.  The club will support coaches in this activity and may assist with the expenses of such an endeavour. Contact the Junior Administrator for details. To remain accredited, coaches are expected to be actively coaching, members of AFCA and attend professional development evenings.  The club sees the coaches as the “face of the club” and strongly endorses this policy. As such the club may meet the costs involved in these expectations. Annual membership will be covered by the club.  Membership entitles coaches to regular Coaching Magazines, access to resources provided by AFCA, and Seminar Nights. Again, contact the Junior Administrator for details. Two Seminar nights are held each year.  Presentations are of a high quality and cover various areas of coaching.  All coaches will have their entry to these evenings covered.

The club will conduct a number of Coaches Meetings throughout the year.  Coaches are expected to attend these meetings.  The purpose of the meetings is to address issues relevant to coaching at Sunshine Football Club and share resources amongst the coaches and maintain a level of consistency amongst the coaches. The coaching coordinator will be responsible for giving feedback to the coaches from time to time.

North West AFCA provide a resource Library of Videos, books and other equipment that is available to all coaches.  Any costs incurred in hiring the equipment will be covered by the club.

First Aid and Trainers

It is a requirement that all first aiders are accredited to level 1. Any training required will be covered by the club. If a person benefits from special first aid training it would be hoped that that person would assist in first aid duties for a number of years or while their child was participating at the club.

The club is responsible for maintaining the first aid kits to the required standard. Any extra first aid needs to be passed on to your appointed first aid person with instructions.

The junior club has an Asthma management policy and procedure that may be obtained from the committee on request. It is a requirement for all players to wear a mouth guard during a game and recommended they are worn during competitive training.

Special Needs of Players

As a coach you may become aware that one or more of your players have special needs, apart from obvious physical needs such as injuries and skill deficiencies.  The other needs may fall into three (3) other categories.  These being educational,  emotional and social.

* Educational Needs:  Not all students within a classroom learn the same way or learn at the same rate.  Some students have 'Specific Learning Problems' that make it very difficult to learn using traditional teaching and coaching methods.  It is important to be aware of any Learning difficulties that a player in your team may have.  Modify your presentation of information in an attempt to accommodate these players Learning Needs.

* Emotional and Social:  From time to time players may exhibit uncooperative behaviour that negatively affects training and coaching.  Often this can be put down to adolescent behaviour and nothing more needs to be done, however such behaviour could be indicative of a more serious emotional or social problem that the player may be experiencing.  It is in the best interest of the coach to spend time communicating with the player in an environment free from tension to ascertain if there are social or emotional issues that are affecting the child's behaviour.  As coaches it is not our role to solve such issues but we play a very important role by being a 'significant' adult in this person's life, prepared to talk and communicate with the child, in a supportive environment where a common interest exists, that being football.  The club has access to a large support network for your people who are experiencing Emotional and Social difficulties within their lives.  Professional advice for our coaches is available in dealing with such situations and many professional services are available through this network for the player.

Grievance Procedure

At times parents may have issues that concern them and/or their child.  The committee of the club has addressed a number of areas that they believe are significant in the coaching and management of players.  This has resulted in the production of policies and procedures associated with selection rotations mentioned in this document. These policies have been made very public, in an attempt educate parents and make them fully aware of how coaches are expected to act in regards to these areas.

In the event of a grievance being raised by parents in regards to these areas or other areas of the concern, the following steps should be followed:

* Under normal circumstance, parents are encouraged to approach the coach to resolve the matter.

* At times the parent may approach the committee prior to approaching the coach or may not be satisfied that a resolution has been arrived at, even after the initial discussion with the coach.

* In this situation the Coaches Coordinator will act on behalf of the committee and communicate directly with the coach to inform them of the concern that has been raised.  It is then hoped that a resolution to the issue will occur, based on the clubs relevant policies and procedures.

* If no resolution is arrived at, the Junior Administrator of the Club will be required to mediate and give binding direction to the parties involved.

Player Mentoring and Specialist Coaching.

Sunshine Football Club has many qualities that appeal to people.  At times these characteristics are not easily identifiable except that when combined together people like the feeling that it produces.  If you speak to people often they describe it as a family club, where the individual is cared for as much as the team, where often the 'game' of football plays a secondary role to the development and needs of the person playing the game.

Benefits of a Mentor Programme. A Mentor is defined as an experienced and trusted advisor.  This is a fairly general definition of a mentor, however the reward that is gained through such a programme is huge.  Some of these are:

* The opportunity for the senior members of the club to develop their sense of value to the club community.

* The Big Brother concept is a very important part of growing up for adolescent children.  To have significant male role models in their life is essential to their ongoing development.

* It develops a sense of value and responsibility within the mentor.

* The life experiences that some senior players have been exposed to may help some of the younger players in the club.

The Mentor Programme

* Senior coach and players approached about the idea, with a request for support.  Those able to participate will be allocated to a team. Not all senior players will be involved due to various reasons.

* During the year, the team mentors can participate in training from time to time, attend functions, help out at 'Club Nights'.  Young players can clearly identify with senior players and will show a greater interest in that player.  In effect the players could become like a mini-cheer squad for that player. This may increase the following for senior team. The barriers between the senior and junior sections of the club will be reduced, and when senior players train with junior teams eg. Under 14s or under 16s, the quality of the training is enhanced.

Parental Involvement & Match Day Officials

There are two positions that need to be sanctioned by the committee.  These are: a) Coach, and b) Team manager. The remainder of required match day tasks will be allocated to parents.

The club relies on continual parent support to ensure that all official duties are carried out.  These positions are either match day officials or official club appointments. A document has been produced and is available outlining the duties of the team manager and is a very helpful tool available to team managers.

The organising of the match day officials is the responsibility of the Team Manager.  These positions are: a) Goal Umpire;  b) Umpires Escort;  c) Boundary Umpire

d) Runners; (Permanent basis)  e) First Aid; (Permanent basis)   f) Time Keeper;  g)Canteen help (if a home game)  h) ground inspection (if required)

Team Managers have several options to ensure parental involvement is maximised.  A Roster can be drawn up to include all parents OR requests for volunteers to identify positions they would fill on a more permanent basis.