Development Page 2

Youth Development

POLICY FOR SAFEGUARDING THE WELFARE OF YOUNG PLAYERS

Policy Statement

Burntisland Shipyard A.F.C., in operating a young players’ section, open to children of both genders, is committed to safeguarding the welfare of its young players and the adult volunteer coaches on whom they depend, through the creation of a secure development environment. The club recognises that to achieve the desired level of success :–

Knowledge of children is more important than knowledge of football

Aims

The aim of the club is to provide a safe and caring environment for the development  of its young players, where all forms of potential discrimination and abuse, from both within and outwith the club, are known and appreciated and appropriate measures are in place to assist with their detection, prevention and elimination.

There is also a recognition that coaches themselves may become victims of false accusation or misunderstanding, in this potentially sensitive area, and the club’s aim, through the application of this policy, is also to protect these valued members of the coaching team.

Key Points

Abuse can take many forms although these may generally be summarised as physical, sexual and emotional, in addition to neglect.

Sources of abuse can extend to other young players in addition to adults, including parents and guardians, who may not conform to the acceptable ethical standards of Society in their dealings with children.

The club seeks to create an environment in which abuse is absent.

Where the club identifies any serious breaches of expected behaviour it will seek to resolve the matter discreetly but firmly using it’s own internal processes. In more serious situations, where it does not feel competent to deal with a matter satisfactorily, then external assistance will be enlisted.

To assist in achieving the desired environment all young player coaching will take place under the supervision of a qualified volunteer coach. 

All volunteer coaches will be required to hold relevant S.F.A. coaching qualifications and their coaching assistants will be given support and encouragement to obtain similar standing via attendance at the approved S.F.A. training courses.

Criminal conviction disclosure reports, acquired via the Disclosures Scotland provisions, will be obtained by the club in respect of all coaching staff for whom two references will also be obtained.

This policy and its associated Framework and Guidelines seeks to provide the necessary protocols and procedures to assist in the elimination of abuse in all its forms. Copies of these documents are retained in the clubhouse for reference at any time.

Scope

This Young Players’ Welfare Policy applies to all young players at the club under the age of 18 and covers not only the early coaching years and youth sides but any young player included in the senior club side.

While not specifically designed for inclusion of the club’s adult players (over the age of 18), the principles of support and general intent to eliminate abuse are extended to all sections of the club and those with whom it associates.