Enjoy the game. We encourage a passion for football, however this must not lead to arguing with the coach or referee in any circumstances. All players in AFC Leyton Girls are expected to control their tempers and recognise good sportsmanship.
All players within AFC Leyton Girls are treated equally. It is a team game. Players are expected to play well for both themselves and the team as well as cooperate and communicate with their coach and other players.
All players are expected to understand the rules of the game and follow them.
General Rules – Parents and Guardians
At AFC Leyton we believe that parents and guardians should lead by example. Parents and guardians are asked not to query or argue referees decisions, even if you firmly believe a mistake has been made. If parents of another team are behaving badly, using inappropriate language or there is something which concerns you, raise this directly with your daughters team coach.
Whilst players should always be encouraged to participate, please do not force them. At AFC Leyton the girls play for enjoyment, skill improvement and sportsmanship.
We encourage all parents and guardians to understand the rules of the game and to ensure that children attend all the training sessions and ensure fees are paid on time.
We also expect all parents and guardians to respect the club rules, attend meetings, provide assistance at games where they are able to do so (such as assisting with setting up and taking down goals, spectator barriers, flags and may also be asked to assist as a linesman) or assist with operations within the club via each parent representative. The club survives on the support and dedication of its volunteers, and parents being actively involved helps to ensure we continue to operate.
If you have any queries or complaints in relation to one of our volunteers, please immediately raise this with club management.
RESPECT Guidelines
Our children are strongly influenced by our own attitudes and behaviour.
Experts in child development tell us that:
• Children should feel confident that they’ll be supported, whether they win or lose.
• Too much pressure to win can have a negative effect and put children off the game altogether.
• Dreaming of success is fine, but make sure they’re your child’s dreams, not yours. It helps to manage your child’s expectations, so they regard losing as learning, not as failure.
• Research has shown that children are more interested in playing the game than getting a result. Winning is great but at this stage it’s not everything.
• If we see competition as a way to improve a team’s game, losing can be as valuable as winning.
• Children’s football is a time for them to develop their technical, physical, tactical and social skills. Focus on this, rather than exclusively on winning matches.
• Don’t take it too seriously. Even if your child is talented, at this stage their enjoyment is still the main goal.
• Children need positive feedback to feel that they can improve their game. It doesn’t help to tell them what they are doing wrong. • Help them analyse their own game after the match is over. Ask them how they felt about it, about other players, and ask them what went well to reinforce their strengths
• Help children learn from their own mistakes by encouraging them to think about what they could have done instead. Remind them of their strengths.
• Help children to feel confident, enjoy themselves and feel like they ‘belong’ by supporting a positive atmosphere at a game.
• Football is a passionate game but don’t let disappointment at a misplaced pass or a poor touch get in the way. Encourage players to ‘move on’.
• Respect the officials – children copy their parents and other adults’ behaviour!
• Remember football is for the children, not the adults. It’s not a professional game. It’s meant to be fun.
• Getting angry won’t solve anything. If adults lose control, children will lose respect. Never tolerate violence or abuse, in any form.
• If things do get out of hand report your concerns to the Club Welfare Officer.
We ask that parents also
• Attend parents’ meetings as often as you can and raise any behaviour issues there, rather that on pitch sidelines.
• If your child is a player, encourage them to sign the Respect Code of Conduct and encourage good behaviour.
• Deal with poor behaviour. Support club actions or County FA sanctions when someone breaks the Code of Conduct.
• Assist the coach, if asked.
• Lead by example: be constructive, and help with training, transport and refreshments.
Always be a good spectator
• Cheer good effort.
• Be positive and supportive of all the players.
• Allow the coach to do their job without interference.
• Respect the referee’s decisions, even if you disagree.
• Don’t criticise or dwell on mistakes or weaknesses – this undermines confidence.
• Appreciate the opposing team’s efforts too.
• Take an FA coaching or referee course – improve your own understanding of the game and provide practical assistance to the club.
Playing football requires lots of energy.
• Encourage your child to eat regularly.
• Help them eat a balanced diet – including calcium for strong bones, protein for growth and carbohydrates for energy.
• Use football role models to promote healthy eating to your child. Point out that, for example, John Terry or Faye White would eat a proper breakfast before a game.
• A healthy diet allows our bodies to recover more easily from stress and injury. Essential for players keen to get back on the pitch. • Keep kids hydrated with water – football is hot work!
• Provide children with healthy snacks and a still (not fizzy) drink when they’re training.
• Make sure they get enough sleep, especially before a match.
• Encourage your children to practise and try out new skills outside of playing matches and training.
For more information visit: http://www.thefa.com/respectguide/
