Codes of Conduct

These codes of conduct are issued from the Football Association, of which NYCFC is a member.

I will:
• Always make the manager or coach aware if my child cannot make a match to avoid the club being fined.
• Celebrate the efforts of children from both teams - good or bad, they are only children.
• Always respect the managers, coaches and committees of both teams - they have volunteered their time for your kids.
• Stay behind the touchline and stay within the designated spectator's area.
• When a player makes a mistake, offer them encouragement and support - all I have to say is "never mind, try again" or "good luck next time!"
• Never engage in profanities.
• Never tolerate offensive behaviour.
• Never be insulting to each other.
• Never smoke anywhere near the teams or players - some children have respiratory issues and smoke inhalation can cause harm to their health. Please take yourself away from the side-lines, ensuring all cigarettes are properly and safely disposed of.
• Clear any litter that may have been left behind to respect the players and their play area.
• Make myself familiar with the safeguarding practices on physical contact, acceptable behaviours when working with young children. You can find these using this link.

I understand that if I do not follow the code of conduct, I may be:

• Issued with a verbal warning or asked to leave by one of committee or coaches
• Required to meet with the club committee, league or CFA Welfare Officer to resolve your breach of conduct.
• Obliged to undertake an FA education course.
• Requested to not attend future games, be suspended or have my membership revoked.
• Required to leave the club along with any dependents and/or issued with a fine.

Our Safeguarding Policy

Our Welfare Officers are always available to contact. We can offer help and guidance if you have been affected by personal, domestic or work-related problems by gathering information about the issue and working with you to reach a resolution.If you have any concerns at all about a child’s safety or wellbeing, contact the NSPCC's helpline at 0808 800 5000.

Our policies:
• To be always child-centred; promoting a fun, safe environment for children and young people.
• To follow all of the FA's policies; in particular, their procedures for reporting safeguarding concerns including discrimination.
• To act appropriately in all situations brought to our attention.
• To champion best practices within our club and broader league.
• To communicate and positively engage with the County FA Designated Safeguarding Officer (CFA DSO) on any instances of poor practices/ safeguarding matters.
• To attend meetings as reasonably required as designated by our committee, league and the County FA.
• To manage and deal with our instances of poor practice in an appropriate and timely manner.
• To ensure appropriate levels of confidentiality and data security are maintained across our organisation.
• To implement and manage a responsible recruitment process in line with the FA's policy and procedures process.
• To pursue any relevant continued professional development (CPD) opportunities as offered by the County/National FA and show a commitment to maintaining and developing our training and ensuring our qualifications are up-to-date.Further reading:
• Read and download the FA's safeguarding and policy procedures here.
• England Football's article on being positive and respectful, on and off the pitch, here.
• Northumberland FA's article on the role and responsibilities of a Welfare Officer, here.
• Northumberland FA's Designated Support Officer (DSO), Gill Upperton.