The Way We Do Things This document sets out our expectations of all of our coaches, managers, players, parents and Management Committee of Phoenix Football Club. All members (players, managers, coaches, committee and parents for players under 18) will be required to sign-off on this document indicating that they have read, understood and accepted what is outlined when they first join the club and then again at the start of each season. No player will be permitted to play for Phoenix Football Club until they have done this. Overview. There has been an increasing number of incidents reported over the past number of months where behaviours exhibited by some of our club members have been unacceptable and not in keeping with our club Code of Conduct as outlined in our Club Constitution (available on our web-site at www.phoenixfc.ie). This document sets out the various club policies and guidelines which should be followed at all times when representing our club. It also sets out the manner in which breaches of club policy and guidelines will be handled. It is a simple document which can be summarised in one word - “Respect”. Once we respect ourselves, each other, our opponents, our neighbours, referees and our facility then none of the following guidelines will be breached. This document meets the recommended guidelines set down by the Football Association of Ireland, the Dublin and District Schoolboys League (DDSL) and the North Dublin Schoolboys League (NDSL). It was reviewed and adopted by the Management Committee at our monthly Management Meeting in January 2019. Queries relating to any items should be addressed in writing or by email to the Club Secretary. The document sets out information, policies and guidelines relating to the following: 1. Club Policy. 2. Club Code of Conduct. 3. Child Welfare Policy. 4. Club discipline and dealing with complaints. 5. Club Governance. 1. Club Policy. Our overarching club policy is to treat everyone with respect and to be mindful of safety and person welfare at all times and in all of our actions whilst representing our club. The following are a set of general club policies.  All of our club managers, coaches and committee members are Garda vetted or in the process of attaining same.  All of our club managers, coaches and committee members are familiar with club policies and guidelines and will implement these.  Phoenix FC will support the ongoing education of our coaches. All coaches will have a minimum standard as directed by the FAI.  Coaches will foster a fun, competitive and respectful atmosphere within their team and the club. Coaches’ coach – parents watch and enjoy.  Club members are not permitted to coach from the side line – encouragement only!  Club membership fee’s will be set by the club Management Committee every year – fee’s (including match-day expenses as agreed) must be paid in line with club policy or players will not be permitted to use our facilities.  All parents of children under 18 must provide a contact number.  Children under the age of 18 should never be left unattended at games or at training without the permission of the team manager.  Managers must ensure that all players under 18 are collected after games/training. Managers should not leave such players unaccompanied after training or a match.  Where a child is reported as missing then this must be reported to the Gardai by the manager or coach immediately.  Players or spectators must not abuse other players on their team or from other clubs from the side-line or use of social media platforms.  Adults are encouraged not to be connected to players through social media platforms.  Players must play at their appropriate age group. There may be exceptions to this from time to time and the Management Committee will deal with these if they arise.  Players will play at the best standard they can and coaches will support the promotion of players to “first” teams where a player is capable of operating at a higher level.  Players are expected to attend all training sessions. If players are unable to attend training then the manager should be informed as early as possible before the agreed training slot.  Teams will be allocated training and pitch time on a fair and equitable basis – there will be no favouritism for teams due to their playing at a higher level.  The club Head Coach will agree the training pitch allocations at the start of the season and this will only be revised upon agreement of all parties involved in any proposed change.  Any proposed recording or photography of games must be agreed in advance with the team managers.  Adults are not permitted to be in any 121 situation with players under the age of 18.  There will be no sharing of shower facilities between adults and players.  For away trips involving overnight stays the following additional guidelines will apply:  Written parental approval (for players up to 18 years old).  Formal written approval from the Club Management Committee, The SFAI and the DDSL or NDSL.  No sharing of rooms by adults and kids unless father/son or daughter; mother/son or daughter.  The club will operate a formal Complaints and Disciplinary Committee who will handle all complaints received in relation to the above matters. See the Club Code of Conduct below.  Dogs are not permitted in Scribblestown. 2. Club Code of Conduct. Again respect and person welfare are our main priorities. Together with our club policies as outlined in section 1 above our Club Code of Conduct sets out more general expectations about how we should conduct ourselves. Play to Win - Winning is the object of playing the game. Never set out to lose. If you do not play to win, you are cheating your opponents, deceiving those who are watching, and also fooling yourself. Never give up against stronger opponents and never relent against weaker ones. It is an insult to any opponent to play at less than full strength. Play to win, until the final whistle. Play Fair - Winning is without value if victory has been achieved unfairly or dishonestly. Cheating is easy, but brings no pleasure. Playing fair requires courage and character. It is also more satisfying. Fair Play always has its reward, even when the game is lost. Playing fair earns you respect, while cheats are detested. Remember: It's only a game. And games are pointless unless played fairly. Observe the Laws of the Game - All games need rules to guide them. Without rules, there would be chaos. The rules of football are simple and easy to learn. Make an effort to learn them, so you understand the game better. This makes you a better player. It is just as important to understand the spirit of the rules. They are designed to make the game fun to play and fun to watch. By sticking to the rules, you will enjoy the game more. Respect Opponents, Referees, Officials and our facilities - Fair Play means respect. Opponents should be respected at all times. Referees are there to maintain discipline and Fair Play. Always accept their decisions without arguing. Abusive or foul language will not be tolerated. Officials are also part of the game and must be respected accordingly. Respect our facility and do not leave rubbish behind you. Plastic water bottles are not permitted in Scribblestown. Accept Defeat with Dignity - Nobody wins all the time. Learn to lose graciously. Congratulate the winners with good grace. Don't blame the referee or anyone else. Good losers earn more respect than bad winners. Reject Drugs, Racism and Violence - Watch out for attempts to tempt you into cheating or using drugs. Drugs have no place in football or any other sport or in our society. Say No to Drugs. Help Kick Racism out of Football. Treat all players and everyone else equally, regardless of their skin colour, origin or religion. Promote the Interests of Phoenix FC - Phoenix FC is your club. It always needs your help to keep it as Number One. Contribute to the club by promoting the club. Share all club posts and advertisements through social media. Contribute to the fund-raising ventures as much as you can. Encourage other people to join or watch. Support and encourage club teams other than your own. Help the club achieve its aims. Be an ambassador for the club. Be proud of the club. 3. Child Safeguarding Statement. Phoenix Football Club is committed to safeguarding children and by working under the guidance of the FAI Safeguarding Policies our staff, working with our young people, throughout the club, seek to create a safe environment for them to grow and develop. This club’s Risk Assessment document indicates the areas of potential risk of harm, the likelihood of the risk occurring, and gives the required policy, guidance or process documents required to alleviate these risks. The list of risks identified are contained in the following categories: Club and Coaching Practices; Complaints & Discipline; Reporting Procedures; Use of Facilities; Recruitment; Communications; and General Risk of Harm. This Risk Assessment was undertaken on 5th October 2018. Our Child Safeguarding Statement has been developed in line with requirements under the Children First Act 2015. In addition to our Risk Assessment document described above, there are further procedures that support our intention to safeguard children while they are availing of our activities. Phoenix Football Club has the following procedures in place as part of our Safeguarding Policies: • Procedures for the management of allegations of abuse or misconduct by staff or volunteers against a child availing of our activities • Procedures for the safe recruitment of staff and volunteers to work with children in our activities • Procedures for access to child safeguarding training and information, including the identification of the occurrence of harm • Procedure for reporting of child protection or welfare concerns to Statutory Authorities The Child Welfare Officer for Phoenix Football Club is Paula Bridgeman. Paula can be contacted on 086-1605328, 01-8389382 or at paulabridgeman@yahoo.ie. We recognise that implementation is an ongoing process. Our club is committed to the implementation of this Child Safeguarding Statement and the procedures that support our intention to keep children safe from harm while availing of our activities. This Child Safeguarding Statement will be reviewed on 5th October 2020. Signed: Margaret Oliver Date: 25th January 2019 Chairperson. Phoenix F.C. Name: Margaret Oliver. Phone no: 087-9637741 4. Club Discipline and dealing with Complaints. Phoenix Football Club has Compliance and Disciplinary Committee that deals with all identified or reported incidences of non-compliance with club policies. This committee consists of a sub-group from the Club Management Committee. The following are the key terms of reference for the operation of this group.  Phoenix FC encourages members to take a practical and pragmatic approach to dealing with any perceived breach of Club policies or difficulties or differences they have with any member of the club volunteer team. Provided the member is comfortable and unless such a breach is deemed to be of a serious nature, the member should try to deal with the breach on a one-to-one basis with the member or manager in the first instance.  If however the member is uncomfortable with such an approach then they are entitled, and encouraged, to bring their concern to a member of the Compliance and Disciplinary Committee. It is preferable that this complaint is made in writing.  The Compliance and Disciplinary Committee will deal with all reported or identified instances of non-compliance with club policies.  The committee will consist of a minimum of 2 members from the club Management Committee who will be elected by the Club Management Committee following the club AGM.  For coaches all reportable incidents should be reported to the Compliance and Disciplinary Committee asap after its occurrence.  The committee will deal with complaints as quickly as possible. Complainants can expect a formal response within 10 days of their complaint outlining next steps and a timeline to a full investigation of their complaint.  All league fines against club members will be paid by the offender – failure to pay a fine will result in suspension of that members privileges as outlined in Club Policy.  Complaints should be made in writing and addressed to the Club Compliance Officer.  The committee will review the complaint and decide if any action is needed.  If deemed necessary the committee will interview all parties in order to develop a detailed understanding of the issue raised.  The committee will adjudicate on the complaint and advise all parties of their decision as speedily as possible.  The committee will also decide on the appropriate sanction should it be decided that policy in writing or spirit has been breeched and will advise on any sanctions to be taken as speedily as possible. Sanctions are at the absolute discretion of the committee and can range from a verbal warning as to future conduct through to expulsion from the club.  Members will have two weeks in which to appeal any proposed sanction or decision of the committee. All appeals will be dealt with by the Club Chairperson and an independent person from the club membership who will also be appointed at the club AGM. Please note that for Child Welfare issues these issues should be brought to the attention of the Child Welfare Officer and not the Compliance and Disciplinary Committee – see section 3. for further details. 5. Club Governance. Phoenix Football Club is a volunteer based organisation. All managers, coaches and club officials are volunteers who receive no financial reward for their work with Phoenix Football Club. We have a small Management Committee that is elected every year at the club AGM. The AGM takes place at the end of the season and all members are entitled to attend to review the clubs progress, plans, finances etc and to partake in the election of new officers to this committee. The Management Committee meet on the first Monday of the month and assess club progress and performance across a range of area’s including football, child welfare, finance, our facility etc. The Management Committee will also appoint the Head Coach and will review progress made by the Head Coach throughout his or her period in charge of football in the club. We are always looking for club members who have something to contribute to join the committee so if you fancy getting involved please don’t hesitate to contact any of the team and we will take it from there. There are currently six members of this committee. The Head Coach reports into the Management Committee on a monthly basis. Below find the names and contact details for all of the committee members and Football Leads. Please feel free to contact us if you have a query relating to our area of responsibility and we would be delighted to discuss. Name Role What I do Contact Margaret Oliver Chairperson - Club Chairperson - Chairs Management Meetings - Coaches SSG 087-9637741 Martin Hammond Treasurer - Club Treasurer - Manages all aspects of the club finances - Little Nix coach 087-6984744 Brendan O’Hanlon Vice-Chair - Club Vice- Chairperson - Lead of Discipline & Compliance comm. - Little Nix Coach 087-6995350 Kay Mc Kenna Head Coach - Sets football direction - Coaches the coaches - Coaches succession planning 086-3245694 Tony Bridgeman Club Sec. - Club secretary - 11-aside fixtures - Deals with affiliated leagues 087-2800347 Rob Gorman Seniors - Club Senior Football Lead - Member of Discipline & Compliance comm. - Special projects 085-1158414 Dave Brennan Facility - Club Facilities Lead - Special Projects 086-3845339 Karl Mc Kenna Grounds SSG Lead - Grounds Maintenance - SSG Coach - SSG Secretary 086-8821204