Club Policies

PAYMENT POLICIES FOR ALL SUBSCRIPTIONS ARE AS FOLLOWS:
Below is the procedure on how subs will be received and payment options available.

When you register online via “my comet” you are agreeing to Coastal Spirit payment terms and
conditions and accept liability of this subscription amount.
You will be able to pay your subscriptions by
Cash
Eftpos or
Online banking (01-0833-0096385-00 – Use players name as reference)
All outstanding subscriptions need to be paid in full by the 1 st May 2020 – unless a payment plan
has been set up with the office.
If these fees are not paid by the above date $20 will be added to your account. All Fees need to
be paid before 1 st June 2020. Players who are unfinancial after this date will be suspended from
playing until payment or an arrangement has been made.
All correspondence regarding subscriptions needs to be directed to Coastal Spirit office via email
to info@coastalspirit.nz or phone 03 381-2661.
All members who have not paid their fees from the previous season can only register if they pay
outstanding fees and the current year’s fees in full.

Learn and respect the rules of the game
 Respect match officials, team mates, opponents and coaches
 Listen to your coach and abide by the coaches decision and rules in which the coach
sets out
 Show enthusiasm and sportsmanship at training and in games
 Try to improve and develop your skills both as an individual and as a team player
 Be a team player and encourage and support your team mates in good times and
bad times
 Maintain self-control at all times
 Maintain a good level of fitness and be active outside of training and games
 Wear the appropriate attire at training and games e.g. Shin pads and appropriate
foot wear.
 Do not swing on the goal posts or cross bars (See page 2)
 Notify the coach a.s.a.p. if you are going to miss training or games
 Remove all jewellery including watches before training and games

 Inform the coach of any medication you have taken or will be taking during training
and games
 If you are unhappy with any situation please consider talking to your coach first
before your parents

APPROPRIATE FOOTWEAR

A survey conducted by the English FA Medical Department in 2004 showed that most
injuries in Youth soccer are intrinsic injuries. Intrinsic injuries are self-inflicted injuries
such as muscle tears and sprains from sudden acceleration, over stretching or falling
awkwardly. 15% of these injuries were down to inappropriate footwear such as long
studs on hard ground, lack of grip and even too much grip.
In the US inappropriate footwear counted for 25% of cruciate ligament injuries in male
players from 13 years and upwards. The percentage for females was even higher.
Please take the time to check what footwear you are wearing. If it is not serving its
purpose, please tell your coach.

GOALPOST SAFTEY

At least 38 fatalities occurred in the USA during the period 1979- 2004. All of these were
linked to unanchored portable or homemade goals.
In the US, 120 people per year require hospital treatment due to unsafe goalposts. Most
serious injuries and deaths have been the result of blunt force trauma to the head. neck,
chest and limbs.
Horseplay such as swinging on the cross bar has caused some of these accidents.

ENJOY YOUR FOOTBALL

The health and safety of the players is of paramount importance and should be put
ahead of everything else.
• Know the official rules of the game and the rules of the Association to which your
team is connected. Explain relevant rules to the players.
• Respect the rules, match officials, players from all teams, and all coaches.
• Refrain from yelling negative comments at match officials, players and other
coaches. If you wish to speak to an official, please do so in a civil manner at the
appropriate time and out of the earshot of the players.
• Be a role model for your players and set a good example.
• Wear appropriate attire to look like a coach.
• Be responsible for the conduct of your players.
• Be positive and supportive of all players.
• Maintain self-control at all times.
• Have a good working relationship with the team manager.
• Prepare your team for games and training with a structured warm up and end with
a cool/warm down.
• Create a fun and enjoyable environment for the players during training and games.

• Discuss Players Code of Conduct with the players.
• Be responsible looking after and returning all coaching equipment.
• Work together with the FDM to help the club move forward.
 By agreeing to coach a Coastal Spirit Football team you are agreeing to abide by the
Code of Conduct.

APPROPRIATE FOOTWEAR

A survey conducted by the English FA Medical Department in 2004 showed that most
injuries in Youth soccer are intrinsic injuries. Intrinsic injuries are self-inflicted injuries
such as muscle tears and sprains from sudden acceleration, over stretching or falling
awkwardly. 15% of these injuries were down to inappropriate footwear such as long
studs on hard ground, lack of grip and even too much grip.
In the US inappropriate footwear counted for 25% of cruciate ligament injuries in male
players from 13 years and upwards. The percentage for females was even higher.
Please take the time to check what footwear your players are wearing. If it is not serving
its purpose please advise the player and parents.

GOALPOST SAFTEY

At least 38 fatalities occurred in the USA during the period 1979- 2004. All of these were
linked to unanchored portable or homemade goals.
In the US, 120 people per year require hospital treatment due to unsafe goalposts. Most
serious injuries and deaths have been the result of blunt force trauma to the head. neck,
chest and limbs.
Horseplay such as swinging on the cross bar has caused many of these accidents.

ENJOY YOUR FOOTBALL

Harassment, including sexual or racial harassment, is unwelcome, unsolicited and unreciprocated behaviour by a person or group that may offend, humiliate or intimidate another.  Harassment can take different forms including oral, written, physical or other non-verbal forms.  Such behaviours are considered harassment when they are repeated of such a significant nature threat they have a detrimental effect on the recipient’s ability to engage in normal activities within the club environment.

If a complaint is made, Coastal Spirit Football Club will ensure allegations are responded to promptly and all parties will be treated fairly and in line with natural justice.

Informal Resolution

The member should appropriately make the person aware that the behaviour or material is unwelcome and /or offensive in the first instance.  For more serious issues, or if is too difficult to inform the person, or if the unacceptable behaviour continues, the member should report the complaint to a contact person/ team manager and or club representative.

Where the complainant wishes, the contact person/ team manager/ or club representative may speak to the alleged harasser on their behalf.  This may result in issues being resolved, or mediation or reconciliation may be suggested as an option.

Vulnerable Children’s Act 2014

Child Protection Policy

Policy Rationale

Coastal Spirit Football is fully committed to safeguarding the welfare of all children in its care. We recognise the responsibility to promote safe practice and to protect children from harm, abuse and exploitation while participating in our activities.

Staff and volunteers will work together to embrace difference and diversity and respect the rights of children and young people.

For the purposes of this policy and associated procedures a child is recognised as someone under the age of 18 years.

Policy Statement(s)

The policy is based on the following principles;

1. 1.       The welfare of children is the primary concern.
2. 2.       All children, whatever their age, culture, disability, gender, language, racial origin, socio-economic status, religious belief and/or sexual identity have the right to protection from all forms of harm and abuse.
3. 3.       Child protection is everyone’s responsibility.
4. 4.       Children have the right to express views on all matters, which affect them, should they wish to do so.
5. 5.       Our organisation will work in partnership together with children and parents/carers to promote the welfare, health and development of children.

Policy Objectives

The aim of this policy is to promote good practice through:

1. 1.       Promoting the health and welfare of children by providing opportunities for them to take part in football activities safely.
2. 2.       Respecting and promoting the rights, wishes and feelings of children.
3. 3.       Promoting and implementing appropriate procedures to safeguard the well-being of children and protect them from abuse.
4. 4.       Recruiting, training, supporting and supervising staff, members and volunteers to adopt best practice to safeguard and protect children from abuse and to reduce risk to themselves.
5. 5.       Requiring staff, members and volunteers to adopt and abide by the Child Protection Policy and procedures.
6. 6.       Responding to any allegations of misconduct or abuse of children in line with the Policy and procedures as well as implementing, where appropriate, the relevant disciplinary and appeals procedures.
7. 7.       Regularly monitoring and evaluating the implementation of this Policy and procedures.
8. 8.       Developing policies and Procedures that comply with the Vulnerable Children’s Act 2014.

Child Protection – associated Procedures

1. 1.       Screening

As part of our duty of care, we must ensure that suitable and appropriate employees and volunteers (including parents) are engaged to work with children. When recruiting people to engage with children we will ensure that there is robust recruitment process that includes:

1. 1.       creating a role description;
2. 2.       developing candidate specifications;
3. 3.       advertising the position;
4. 4.       an application process;
5. 5.       following up on referees;
6. 6.       interviewing; and
7. 7.       screening (e.g. police vetting).

1. 2.       Appointing a Child Safety Officer

A Child Safety Officer (CSO) at Coastal Spirit Football shall be appointed to manage child protection issues (this may form part of dual role), by:

1. 1.       Ensuring that child protection procedures are understood and adhered to by all members;
2. 2.       Organising promotional activities, training and raising awareness within the organisation;
3. 3.       Establishing and maintaining the complaints procedure;
4. 4.       Regularly reporting to the Board/Executive Committee/Management;
5. 5.       Acting as the main contact for child protection matters;
6. 6.       Keeping up-to-date with developments in child protection legislation;
7. 7.       Liaising with local child protection agencies;
8. 8.       Maintaining confidential records of reported cases and any action taken; and
9. 9.       Regularly monitoring and reviewing existing policies and procedures.

1. 3.       Good Practice Protocols

The protocols provide guidance to those working with children by outlining good practice and establishing boundaries in a range of situations.

1. 1.       Applying a child-centred approach where all children are treated equally and with dignity.

• Activities should be appropriate for the age and development of the children in your care.
• Ensure feedback to children is about their performance and not of a personal nature.
• Use positive and age-appropriate language when talking to children and in their presence.

1. 2.       Creating a safe and open working environment
2. 3.       Ensure that all physical contact with children is relevant and appropriate to the activity.
3. 4.       Seek permission to touch when doing the above.
4. 5.       Do not engage in any intimate, over-familiar or sexual relationships with people under the age of 18 years.
5. 6.       Ensure that any filming or photography of children is appropriate. (Obtain consent prior to filming or photographing & explain purpose e.g. to promote course etc).
6. 7.       Request parental consent before transporting young people in a vehicle. (Ensure vehicle is insured & has current WOF).
7. 8.       Ensure you have parental consent to administer first aid if required
8. 9.       Do not use alcohol in the presence of children and do not offer alcohol to children under any circumstances.
9. 10.    Do not engage in communication on a one to one basis through social media or email other than relevant coach/trainee feedback or administration.
10. 11.    Do not allow parents, coaches, other children, or spectators to engage in any type of bullying behaviour (this includes cyber bullying).
11. 12.     Do not engage in any bullying activity.
12. 13.    Avoiding situations where you are alone with a child.
13. 14.    Avoid private or unobserved situations, including being alone with a child in the changing rooms.
14. 15.    Avoid entering changing rooms. If you must enter, knock and announce yourself and try to have at least one other adult with you.
15. 16.    Avoid driving a child unaccompanied.
16. 17.    Do not invite or encourage children to your home

1. 4.       Codes of Conduct

NZF, Mainland Football and Coastal Spirit’s code of behaviour sets out expectations of its workers, volunteers and supporters. These codes are developed to cover a variety of roles including coaches, players, officials, parents and supporters and administrators. They will also reinforce the good practice protocols.

Complaint and internal discipline procedures for breaches of the code procedures should be developed in conjunction with the code of behaviour and also be widely distributed and promoted.

1. 5.       Dealing with allegations, responding to concerns

In accordance with members responsibility to act on any serious concerns, the following should be brought to the attention of the CSO.

1. 1.       Any instance where policy is breached or good practice guidelines are not followed.
2. 2.       Any disclosure by a child that abuse or harm is occurring.
3. 3.       Any suspicions or concerns about a child being subject to abuse.

Where concerns about poor practice are reported

Poor practice involves actions that are contrary to the good practice guidelines provided by our organisation and increase the risk of harm to children.

1. 1.       Initial concerns should be discussed with the CSO
2. 2.       Consider the allegation and where there is a legitimate concern provide a written notice to the individual(s) involved.
3. 3.       If the poor practice is continued or repeated poor practice following a written notice then enact disciplinary procedures. This may include expulsion from your organisation.
4. 4.       Consider actions across all circumstances Where abuse is suspected or reported

The welfare and interests of the child or young person are the first and paramount considerations.

1. 1.       Ensure the child is safe from immediate harm
2. 2.       Consult immediately with nominated CSO/person-in-charge
3. 3.       As soon as possible, record accurately and appropriately the information received
4. 4.       Records should be factual (not opinion or hearsay) and concise and include:
   1. i.                     The nature of the allegation
   2. ii.                    Who noticed/disclosed the abuse and their relationship to the child
   3. iii.                   Details of any witnesses
   4. iv.                  Signs and symptoms noted (including behavioural change)
   5. v.                    Any particular incidents with dates, times and places (if possible)
   6. vi.                  Any action taken
   7. 5.       Consult with other others as necessary and do not work alone
   8. 6.       Avoid questioning the child beyond what has already been disclosed
   9. 7.       Do not question or counsel the alleged offender
   10. 8.       Do not investigate/presume expertise unless very experienced and qualified to do so.
   11. 9.       Notify Child Youth and Family or the Police.

Additional Guidance

Coastal Spirit Football will:

1. 1.       Have access to a register of every child involved with the group including relevant medical details and have a contact name and number accessible in case of emergencies
2. 2.       Treat everybody with respect
3. 3.       Set an example we would wish others to follow
4. 4.       Where possible consider activities that involve more than one adult being present or within sight and hearing of others
5. 5.       Be aware that on occasions our actions may be misinterpreted by others even if they were well intentioned
6. 6.       Respect a childs right to personal privacy
7. 7.       Provide time and attention for children to talk to us
8. 8.       Encourage children to respect and be courteous to others
9. 9.       Intervene to stop any inappropriate verbal or physical behaviour
10. 10.    Have a pre-arranged policy for the safe collection of children after training events have finished
11. 11.    Ensure that any suspicions or allegations of abuse are REFERRED not INVESTIGATED
12. 12.    Only refer and seek support from other agencies for those identified under the child protection policy
13. 13.    Complete vetting pro-formas

Policy Review

This Policy and Procedures will be regularly reviewed:

1. 1.       In accordance with changes in legislation and guidance on the protection of children.
2. 2.       Following any issues or concerns raised about the protection of children within Coastal Spirit Football.
3. 3.       In all other circumstances, at least every twelve months.

Appendix 1: RELEVANT LEGISLATION

There are numerous pieces of legislation relating to the protection of children less than 18 years that may impact on sport and recreation providers.

Health and Safety at Work Act 2015

• This Act deals with the health and safety obligations of a PCBU to its workers. If a child is a worker of a sports club, the general health and safety obligations of the PCBU under the Act will apply.
• There is also an obligation to ensure the safety of volunteers (some of whom may be children) while they undertake the work activity.
• The sports club may be held vicariously liable to a third party for acts of its workers. For example, if a coach breached a sports club’s duty of care to a child member, the club can be liable.

Privacy Act 1993

• Sports clubs gather certain personal information about members. The Privacy Act governs the collection and use of personal information where a person¡¦s identity is apparent from the information.

Crimes Amendment Act – Protection of Children

• The key purpose of this amendment to the Crimes Act 1961 is to ensure that children are adequately protected from assault, neglect and ill-treatment.
• The amendment places greater responsibility on adults (parent or persons in place of a parent) who have actual care or charge of a child to take reasonable steps to protect that child from injury. While a person in place of a parent is not defined in the Act it appears possible that sports club personnel could at times be considered to be ¡¥a person in place of a parent. For example, when taking children away to an event or tournament.
• The amendment also compels people who live with a child and those who are in frequent contact with children and know, or ought to know, that the child is at risk of death, grievous bodily harm or sexual assault to take reasonable steps to protect the child from that risk.

Coastal Spirit Football Club members must:

• Respect the provisions of the Privacy Act 1993 when using the Goalnet database
• Not share Goalnet information with any unauthorised parties
• Not unduly amend, falsify or fraudulently use Goalnet information
• Respect the rights, dignity and worth of others
• Be fair, considerate and honest in all dealings with others
• Be professional in, and take responsibility for their actions
• Make a commitment to providing quality service and performance
• Comply with all relevant standards, rules, regulations and policies
• Operate within the Statutes, Regulations, Policies and Procedures of NZF and FIFA
• Comply with any and all applicable laws

Trials Process

• We advertise on our website and social media sites our trial dates, times and venues. We like to have two dates for each age group and encourage everyone to attend both trial dates if possible.  This helps with our selection process.
• Online registrations – we ask that you register online as this helps process players into the right groups and collects contact information so we can update you on any trial updates. This also helps us have the right amount of resources available on the day.
• Our trials are held at Linfield Park, 56 Kearney’s Road or Avon Park, Avonside Drive
• Day of Trials
• Check in at help desk – make sure your contact details are correct
• Once checked in you will be allocated a coloured bib
• Coach will direct you to designated trial area
• Coach will run you through some game trials
• There will be multiple coaches assessing players during this time
• After both trials for age groups have been completed our Director of Football collates all coach’s information.
• Selection process takes place (as per our team selection policy)
• Emails go out to all trial members with updates on placements

Team Selection Policy
We do our best to accommodate every player that trials for one of our teams at Coastal Spirit. However, there are occasions where this is not possible, and we work together with local clubs to find a place for players that want to play football.

Our trials are based on what we believe is the best way for children to develop both as players and people by placing them in the appropriate environment. We as a club are passionate about player development and giving people every opportunity to succeed. The club has a Player Pathway that will allow players to join the club from the age of 3 years old and progress through the club’s development programmes and teams. At some stage in their progression, trials have to be introduced as part of the selection process for our club teams.

Due to the rules set out by Mainland football, players will largely be playing in their chronological age grade with some exceptions for biological age and maturation. All these factors plus ability and attitude
are taken into consideration when selecting players for our teams.
The selection process is made as fair as possible by having multiple coaches assess players throughout the trials. In attendance at trials are the club’s Director of Football, team coaches of the trialing players and a number of neutral coaches.

Junior football

9th grade – There are no trails as such for 9th grade players but we do advise players attended the advertised date and time slot for 9th grade so we can get an idea of numbers. This makes it easier for the club to keep friends together as much as possible and not split them up across a number of teams. Both boys and girls will play together in this grade. We also try to make the 9th grade teams as even as possible.

9th grade is all about fun and player development.

10th grade – This is where we set up genuine A and B teams. Trials will be for evaluating the players and placing them in appropriate teams. Girls moving from 9 th grade mixed teams have the option of staying in 10th grade mixed or joining one of our girl’s teams at 10 th /11 th grade. This keeps the girl’s game in the region healthy with a variety of competition and is a good age for girls to start their pathway in the female game. The emphasis is on player development whist having fun at training and in games.

11th grade – Genuine A and B teams. Players are placed into appropriate teams after trials. The emphasis is still on player development whilst having fun at training and in games

12th grade – Genuine A and B teams are picked. Players are placed in appropriate teams after trials. The emphasis is still on player development and enjoyment for all but with extra attention and training
available for those players that are serious about playing in our Youth Talent Centre the following year.

Youth Football
Youth football still has a focus on player development and enjoyment of the game, but this is the first grade where results are recorded and positions in division are published. We try to offer the appropriate level of competition for our Youth teams and with the introduction of our NZF Licenced Talent Centres at 13th, 14th, 15th and 17th grade we push for our top youth teams to play at the highest level they can. Our Youth teams are selected as genuine A and B teams. Movement between these teams is possible
throughout the season. ‘A’ team players are encouraged to work hard and keep their place and ‘B’ team players encouraged to work hard and push for a place on the ‘A’ team.

Chronological age
Chronological age is simply how long an individual has lived in years, months, days, or a combination of all of these (e.g. 15 years, 3 months, and 12 days).

Biological Age
Biological age refers to the biological status or maturity of the player depending on whether they are a pre-adolescent, adolescent, or an adult.

Maturation
Maturation is the process of learning to cope and react in an emotionally appropriate way. It does not necessarily happen along with aging or physical growth but is a part of growth and development.