At Oakworth Juniors FC, we are committed to providing a safe, fun, and inclusive environment for young players to develop their footballing skills. As a coach, you play a vital role in shaping the experience of our players, parents, and the wider club community. This handbook outlines key policies, procedures, and expectations to ensure that we all work together to uphold the club’s values.

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1. Club Philosophy

Our mission is to:

Foster a love for football in a positive, supportive environment.

Encourage skill development, teamwork, and respect.

Ensure equal opportunities for all players, regardless of ability.

Promote respect for teammates, opponents, coaches, and referees.

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2. Player Registration & Membership

Parent Registration Before Child Sign-Up

All parents must first register themselves with the club before registering their child. This ensures proper communication and adherence to safeguarding policies.

How to Register:

1. Parents should first sign themselves up at www.oakworthjuniors.com.

2. Once registered, parents can then sign their child up for the club.

3. In addition, parents must register both themselves and their child with the FA via the following link:
FA Player Registration - Oakworth Juniors FC

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3. Coaching Responsibilities

Your Role as a Coach:

Deliver fun, structured training sessions tailored to the age and ability of players.

Provide positive encouragement and constructive feedback.

Ensure all players receive fair playing time where possible.

Promote sportsmanship and respect at all times.

Report any safeguarding concerns to the Club Welfare Officer.

Matchday Duties:

Arrive early to set up and brief the team.

Ensure all players wear appropriate kit and shin pads.

Manage substitutions fairly and keep players engaged.

Encourage, don’t criticise—our aim is development over results.

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4. Safeguarding & Welfare

Oakworth Juniors FC follows The FA’s safeguarding guidelines to ensure a safe environment for all young players.

Key Safeguarding Policies:

All coaches must have an FA DBS (Disclosure and Barring Service) check.

Coaches must complete FA Safeguarding Children and First Aid courses.

Never be alone with a child—ensure two responsible adults are present.

Communicate with parents, not directly with players under 18.

Report any concerns to the Club Welfare Officer immediately.

Club Welfare Officer Contact Details:

Email: welfare@oakworthjuniors.com

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5. Code of Conduct

Oakworth Juniors FC expects high standards from all coaches.

Coach’s Code of Conduct:

Lead by example, showing respect to players, parents, referees, and opponents.

Keep instructions simple and clear.

Never argue with referees—any concerns should be addressed calmly after the match.

Encourage players to support one another.

Avoid shouting or negative language; always use positive reinforcement.

Parent & Player Expectations:

Parents should be supportive and refrain from coaching from the sidelines.

Players must listen to their coaches and respect their teammates.

Any misconduct will be reviewed by the club, and disciplinary action may be taken if necessary.

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6. Training & Equipment

Training Sessions:

Plan sessions in advance to keep them engaging and structured.

Use a variety of drills to focus on technical skills, fitness, and teamwork.

Adapt activities to suit different skill levels within the team.

Ensure all players warm up and cool down properly.

Equipment Management:

Coaches are responsible for setting up and packing away training equipment.

Report any damaged or missing equipment to the club committee.

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7. Communication & Club Support

WhatsApp Communication

Oakworth Juniors FC uses WhatsApp as a primary method of communication for club updates and team coordination.

All coaches must ensure their team’s WhatsApp group is part of the Oakworth Juniors Community WhatsApp.

The official club WhatsApp group can be joined here:
Oakworth Juniors Community WhatsApp

Keeping in Touch:

WhatsApp groups or email should be used to communicate with parents (no direct messaging with players).

Ensure parents are aware of upcoming fixtures and training sessions.

Contact the club committee for any concerns or support.

Club Meetings:

Regular meetings will be held for coaches to share ideas and receive updates.

Attendance is encouraged to stay informed about club developments.

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8. Coach Training & Development

Oakworth Juniors FC is committed to ensuring all coaches receive full training and qualifications.

All coaches will be supported in obtaining the following:

FA Introduction to Coaching Football (previously Level 1 Coaching)

FA Football First Aid

FA Child Safeguarding (for Junior teams)

FA Adult Safeguarding (for Open Age teams)

The club will assist in organising and funding these courses where possible.

If you require additional training or support, please speak to the club committee.

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9. Health & Safety

First Aid & Emergencies:

A first aid kit must be available at all training sessions and matches.

Any injuries should be recorded and reported to the club.

In case of serious injury, call emergency services immediately and inform the player’s parents.

Weather Policy:

Training should be cancelled in extreme weather conditions (thunderstorms, heavy snow, or ice).

In hot weather, ensure players stay hydrated and take regular breaks.

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10. League & Competition Participation

Oakworth Juniors FC teams will compete in local leagues and tournaments.

Coaches must ensure all players meet league eligibility requirements.

Sportsmanship and fair play should always take priority over results.

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11. Contact Information

Club Website: www.oakworthjuniors.com

FA Player Registration: Register with the FA

Club Welfare Officer: welfare@oakworthjuniors.com

Club Committee: committee@oakworthjuniors.com

Oakworth Juniors Community WhatsApp: Join Here

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Thank You!

Thank you for volunteering your time and effort to coach at Oakworth Juniors FC. Your dedication helps shape the future of young footballers and creates a positive environment for all involved. If you ever need support, don’t hesitate to reach out to the club committee.

Let’s work together to make Oakworth Juniors FC the best it can be!