Our match day guide – how parents and guardians can support their child and our volunteer coaches.
Let your team coaches know if your child is/is not available for match days. Take note of pre-match communication from coaches regarding meet time, kit and parking arrangements. Please make every effort to be on time – if you're running late, just let them know.
All players at U11s and below must have a responsible adult with them throughout matches and training sessions.
Please offer to help your coaches with the match day set up – respect barriers, corner posts etc. Many hands make light work and mean the coaches can focus on the players at the start and end of matches.
Respect barriers are in place on match days. Parents/guardians and all spectators must stand behind these barriers.
A young player's development is massively influenced by the support around them. Remember to control your emotions, no matter how passionate you are about your child's football journey, and always keep it positive.
Please leave the coaching to us. It's very difficult for players to concentrate and make decisions for themselves when they hear multiple instructions. We keep match day coaching to a minimum – the best way for players to become confident in their own decision making.
All our coaches are volunteers giving their spare time so children can play football. Their aim is for players to learn, enjoy and have a positive experience – and the scoreline is not a reflection of this.
Making a mistake is often the best way to learn. Our players' confidence grows each week and we want them to enjoy their football without feeling pressure from coaches or parents.
Your child is part of a team in which every player matters equally. Don't tell other players what to do or criticise their mistakes – encourage them with positivity. Your child benefits from the whole team thriving.
The players on the other team are children just like yours and deserve the same encouragement and respect.
Respect must be shown to match officials at all times – many are children themselves and still learning. You have signed a parent/spectator code of conduct and we expect you to observe it at all times.
Children want you to be a parent when they finish playing, not a second coach. Keep it positive, don't emphasise the scoreline – ask them if they enjoyed it and let your child lead any discussion.
Thanks for your understanding and support – we really do appreciate it.
