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FAI Code of EthicsOofO
The FAI has produced two Code of Ethics guidelines, one aimed at parents and the other aimed at coaches.
The Code of Ethics for Parents outlines how parents / guardians can best encourage children to take part in football, while the Code of Ethics for coaches outlines how those involved in teaching the game should maximise a player's enjoyment and potential.
The new requirements will oblige all clubs to adopt and implement the policies and procedures as outlined in the FAI code of ethics document.
de of Conduct and Good Practice for Coaches
Code of Conduct and Good Practice for Coaches
Code of Conduct and Good Practice for Coaches
Football and Young People
The Football Association of Ireland is indebted to the countless
number of volunteers who give of their time in providing football
opportunities for children and young people. Like all sports, football,
provides an excellent pathway for children and young people to learn
new skills, become more confident and maximise their own potential.
Through their participation, they can learn and develop life skills,
have fun and enjoyment, make friends and experience life in a way
that can enhance their personal growth throughout their lives.
People become involved in football for young people for a variety of different reasons. They come
from a variety of sporting backgrounds and take on various roles within clubs and other football
organisations. Yet irrespective of their role or responsibility, they all share the common goal of
providing football opportunities for young people.
Coaches, parents and administrators all have an important role to play in promoting good
practice in children’s sport. They should have, as their first priority, children’s safety and
enjoyment of the sport.
The FAI wants sport to be safe, to be fun and to ensure that no matter what sport young people
are involved in, that it takes place in the spirit of ‘FAIR PLAY’.
Fair play is the guiding principle of the Irish Sport’s Council’s Code of Ethics as well as the FAI’s
Code of Ethics and Good Practice which is designed to provide guidance for those working with
young people in football. It outlines the type of issues that need to be discussed and addressed to
provide the safest and most enjoyable environment not only for players but also the coaches and
volunteers involved.
Coaches achieve satisfaction from working with children and young people. Focusing on the
individual participants’ needs and performance encourages young people to achieve and
demonstrate enjoyment, equality and fair play. They will come to realise that standards of
behaviour are as important as sports performance.
In taking this approach children are encouraged to:
• Do their best – put in their best effort.
• Improve and develop their skills.
• Make friends.
• Play by the rules.
• Appreciate/accept everyone in the group, regardless of
ability, race, religion, gender etc.
Player Centred Approach
Coaches need to be aware of why children want to play soccer. They want to learn new skills,
make new friends, be part of a group, to win and be successful, experience challenges,
excitement and action.
While winning is important, it must be remembered that winning at all costs does not meet the
needs of players. Results are not necessarily a good indicator of coaching effectiveness or ability,
the improvement level of players and their level of enjoyment is.
Coaches should aim to provide a safe and enjoyable environment where children and young people
are placed at the centre of all activities.
In promoting good practice and creating a child/player
centred approach coaches should:
• Act as good role models.
• Encourage and be positive during sessions so that players leave with a sense of achievement.
• Set challenging, realistic but achievable goals.
• Plan and prepare each session appropriately and ensure proper levels of supervision.
• Ensure that all activities are inclusive and allow all players to participate in an enjoyable way.
• Put the welfare and enjoyment of players first and strike a balance between this and
winning or achieving results.
• Enforce the principles of fair play treating each player equally, with dignity and respect and
ensure that all players play within the rules.
• Be aware of the developmental stages and needs of players.
• Avoid over training and over emphasis on competition.
• Involve parents/guardians and other club members in what we do.
• Be qualified and up to date with the latest coaching
knowledge and skills.
Ref. Irish Sports Council, Code for Leaders
Best Practice
In keeping children and young people at the forefront of planning and practice, coaches can
be confident that participants will enjoy their football experiences and that their actions are
regarded as safe and in keeping with the principle that the welfare of children is of
paramount consideration.
Coaches are given a position of trust by parents/guardians and players, and should show the
highest standards of behaviour whilst in the company of under age players.
It is important that coaches follow an agreed code of good practice and parents/club officials
are satisfied that coaches are suitable to lead the activities undertaken. The comprehensive
Code of Ethics & Best Practice guidelines is available on our website at www.fai.ie It is
important to note that in adhering to these guidelines we ensure not only a safe environment for
children but also a safe environment in which coaches and volunteers can operate.
Coaches/volunteers should never:
• Exert undue influence over a participant in order to obtain personal benefit or reward.
• Share a room with a young person alone on away trips.
• Engage in rough physical games, sexually provocative games or allow or engage in
inappropriate touching of any kind, and/or make sexually suggestive comments about or to a child.
• Use any form of corporal punishment or physical force on a young person.
• Take measurements or engage in certain types of fitness testing without the presence of another adult.
• Undertake any form of therapy (hypnosis etc.) in the training of young people.
Most coaches work in an environment where it is recognised that, in a sporting context, certain
types of coaching require a ‘hands on approach’, i.e., it may be necessary to support a
participant in order to physically demonstrate a particular technique. This should only occur
when necessary and in an open and appropriate way with the knowledge, permission and full
understanding of the participant concerned and his/her parents/guardians.
Coaches must realise that certain situations or friendly actions could be misinterpreted, not
only by the player, but by outsiders motivated by jealousy, dislike or mistrust and could lead to
allegations of sexual misconduct or impropriety. Therefore coaches should be aware of, and
avoid all situations conducive to risk.
Where possible, coaches/volunteers should avoid:
• Spending excessive amounts of time with children away from others.
• Taking sessions alone (always employ “Two Deep” supervision).
• Taking children to their homes.
• Taking children on journeys alone in their care.
Safety
Coaches have a responsibility to ensure the safety of the players with whom they work as far as
possible within the limits of their control. Therefore, coaches should seek to create a safe and
enjoyable environment in which to play and train.
In this respect:
• Regular safety checks should be carried out in relation to premises, training facilities
and equipment.
• Appropriate safety rules should be adopted and implemented.
• Parents/guardians should be informed of the starting and finishing times of training sessions
and matches.
• A first aid kit should be available at all training sessions /matches and injuries should be
recorded, with a note of action taken in relation to each one. Never play injured players.
• Parents/Guardians should be notified of injuries/illness which their children incur while
participating in any football activity a positive approach to the involvement of children in sport.
FAIreland has amended its rules to include a child protection element in line with Children First (Department of Health
& Children), the Irish Sports Council’s Code of Ethics & Good Practice and relevant recent child welfare legislation.
Specifically coaches/volunteers are required to operate within these recommended codes of conduct and best
practice. The complete code of conduct for coaches is posted at www.fai.ie
“Sport for young people is about Fun and Participation,
B
Code of Conduct and Good Practice for Parents/Guardians
c
Football and Young People
Football, like all sports, provides an excellent pathway for children
and young people to learn new skills, become more confident and
maximise their own potential. Through their participation, they can
learn and develop life skills, have fun and enjoyment, make friends
and experience life in a way that can enhance their personal growth
throughout their lives.
People become involved in football for young people for a variety of
different reasons. They come from a variety of sporting backgrounds
and take on various roles within clubs and other football organisations. Yet irrespective of their
role or responsibility, they all share the common goal of providing football opportunities for
young people.
Parents, coaches and administrators all have an important role to play in promoting good
practice in children’s sport. They should have, as their first priority, the children’s safety and
enjoyment of the sport.
The FAI want football to be safe, it wants football to be fun and wants to ensure that no matter
what level of the game young people are involved in, that it takes place in the spirit of ‘FAIR PLAY’.
Fair play is the guiding principle of the Irish Sport’s Council’s Code of Ethics as well as the FAI’s
Code of Ethics and Good Practice programme which is designed to provide guidance for those
working with young people in football. It outlines the type of issues that need to be discussed
and addressed to provide the safest and most enjoyable environment not only for young people
but also the coaches and volunteers involved.
Focusing on individual participants’ needs encourages young people to achieve and demonstrate
enjoyment, equality and fair play. Through this they will come to realise that standards of
behaviour are equally as important as sports performance.
In taking this approach children are encouraged to:
• Do their best – put in their best effort.
• Improve and develop their skills.
• Make friends.
• Play by the rules.
• Appreciate/accept everyone in the group, regardless of
ability, race, religion, gender etc.
Guide for Parents / Guardians
Parents / guardians play an important role in promoting children’s happiness and success in
football and sport in general.
Parental expectations and behaviour have a significant bearing on children’s attitude and behaviour
while participating in football.
Parents / guardians need to be aware of why children want to play football. Children want to learn
new skills, make new friends, be part of a group, to win and be successful, experience challenges,
excitement and action.
While winning is important, it must be remembered that winning at all costs does not meet the
needs of players. Results are not necessarily a good indicator of coaching effectiveness or ability,
the improvement level of players and their level of enjoyment is.
Support and encouragement from parents / guardians will contribute
to children having:
• A sense of personal achievement.
• An enjoyment of soccer.
• Improved physical fitness.
• Higher self-esteem.
• A greater level of skill.
• Improved social skills. est Effort and Fair Play in a Safe Environment”
It is important for parents / guardians to find out what their children want from football, and help
them to set realistic targets to achieve this. This may involve controlling their own aspirations
and avoiding the desire to force their own dreams or unfulfilled ambitions on them.
It is important to:
• Encourage but not force children to be active.
• Know when he / she is ready to play.
• Encourage healthy lifestyle habits.
• Attend training and games where possible.
• Promote and teach FAIR PLAY.
• Teach your child to treat referees, other players, coaches, officials and
spectators with respect regardless of race, creed, colour, sex or ability.
• Help children to set realistic targets.
• Help children with decision making.
Parents/Guardians should not:
• Ignore or dismiss complaints or concerns expressed by a child which relate to his/her
involvement in soccer.
• Ridicule or shout at a child for losing a game or making a mistake.
• Treat any club as a child minding service.
• Take safety for granted.
• Put undue pressure on any child to please or perform well.
Most importantly parents / guardians should: “Lead by Example”
Parent / Coach Co-Operation
It is important that parents / guardians establish contact with the individual responsible for coaching
their child.
In addition, parents / guardians should:
• Give the coach help when asked and show appreciation for a job well done.
• Support the coach’s and referee decisions. These individuals are only doing the
best they can and they need support not anger.
• Refrain from contacting the coach unless it is necessary, respect they have a private life.
• Inform the coach about any illness, injury, holidays, etc.
• Make an effort to attend training and games.
• Communicate any concerns you may have to the coach.
• Make sure the child has appropriate equipment/clothing/refreshments.
• Encourage FAIR PLAY at home and do not instil a “win at all costs” attitude in children.
• Be positive or be quiet, negative comments are counter productive.
• Conduct themselves in such a way which promotes the definition of FAIR PLAY.
• Be prepared to be asked to leave by officials or club personnel if behaviour is contrary to the
definition of FAIR PLAY.
Parents / Guardians should never:
• Insult players or club personnel.
• Argue with, or shout abuse at officials and they should actively discourage children
or young players from doing likewise.
• Suggest or encourage cheating, aggressive or "dirty" play.
• Placing undue or inappropriate criticism on a player, causing the player unnecessary or
unhealthy levels of stress.
• Behave with physical or verbal aggression towards another person (actually use force or
threaten the use of force).
• Engage in any "harassment" type of behaviour.
In promoting “Football for Fun” everyone involved in
the organisation of football should:
• Encourage participation and fun.
• Promote the development of skills as opposed to winning at all costs.
• Emphasise and praise effort.
• Act as a good role model.
• Insist on Fair Play.
• Be realistic with expectations.
• Be aware of children’s feelings.
• Teach players to respect different cultures.
In promoting “Sport for Fun” coaches should:
• Encourage participation and fun.
• Promote the development of skills as opposed to winning at all costs.
• Emphasise and praise effort.
• Act as a good role model.
• Actively discourage children/young players from abusing referees,
officials, team mates or opponents (take off offending players).
• Insist on FAIR PLAY (take off offending players).
• Be realistic with your expectations.
• Be aware of children’s feelings.
• Teach players to respect different cultures.
7
Code of Conduct and Good Practice for Coaches
Children in Football are entitled to:
• Be safe.
• Be treated with dignity, sensitivity and respect.
• Participate in football on an equal basis, appropriate to
their ability and stage of development.
• Be happy, have fun and enjoy football.
• Make a complaint in an appropriate way and have it dealt
with through a proper and effective complaints procedure.
• Be afforded appropriate confidentiality.
• Be listened to and to be believed.
• Have a voice in the running of the club.
Children should also be encouraged to realise that they also have responsibilities to treat
other children, fellow players, referees, coaches and volunteers with the same degree of
fairness and respect.
In this regard children should undertake to:
• Play fairly, do their best and have fun.
• Make high standards of Fair Play the standard others want to follow.
• Respect opponents, they are not the enemy, they are partners in a sporting event.
• Shake hands before and after the match, whoever wins.
• Give opponents a hand if they are injured, put the ball out of play so they can get attention.
• Accept apologies from opponents when they are offered.
• Respect fellow team members and support them both when they do well and when things go wrong.
• Treat players from minority groups with the same respect you show other people.
• Be modest in victory and be gracious in defeat “BE A SPORT”.
• Approach the club Children’s Officer with any questions or concerns they might have. Coaches
and parents should encourage children to speak out and support them in doing so.
Children should not:
• Cheat.
• Use abusive language, or argue with, the referee, officials,
team mates or opponents.
• Use violence, use physical contact only when it is allowed
within the rules.
• Bully.
• Tell lies about adults or other children.
• Spread rumours.
• Take banned substances to improve performance.
• Keep secrets about any person who may have caused them harm.
Responsibility to Report
Any person, who has concerns about a child’s welfare or who suspects that a child is being abused,
or is at risk of abuse, has a responsibility to report their concerns to the Health Board or Gardai.
Persons unsure about whether or not certain behaviours are abusive and therefore reportable,
are advised that they can seek advice from the duty social worker in their local health board area
where they will receive appropriate advice.
In cases of emergency where a child appears to be at immediate and serious risk and the duty
social worker is not contactable, call the Gardai.
Under no circumstances should a child be left in a dangerous situation pending intervention by
the Statutory Authorities.
All clubs should have clear procedures for responding to reports or concerns relating to the
safety and welfare of children. Coaches / volunteers, children and parents / guardians should be
aware of how and to whom they report concerns within the club or organisation.
Mobile Phones
Mobile phones are often given to children for security, enabling parents to keep in touch and
make sure they are safe.
However such technology has also allowed an increase in direct personal contact with young
people, in some cases used to cross personal boundaries and cause harm. Within clubs there is
a need to encourage responsible and secure use of mobile phones.
In this respect Coaches are advised to:
• Use group texts for communication among athletes and teams and inform parents of this
at the start of the season
• It is not appropriate to have constant communication for individual athletes
• Don’t use the phone in certain locations; inappropriate use of your camera phone may
cause upset or offence to another person, e.g. changing rooms
For further information or advice see:
FAI Code of Ethics & Best Practice which is available on our website www.fai.ie
Or contact: FAI Code of Ethics Programme Co-ordinator / National Children’s Officer,
80 Merrion Square, Dublin 2. Tel. 087 9691422 Email: codeofethics@fai.ie
Code of Conduct and Good Practice for Parents / Guardians
Children in soccer are entitled to:
• Be safe.
• Be treated with dignity, sensitivity and respect.
• Participate in football on an equal basis, appropriate to
their ability and stage of development.
• Be happy, have fun and enjoy football.
• Make a complaint in an appropriate way and have it dealt
with through a proper and effective complaints procedure.
• Be afforded appropriate confidentiality.
• Be listened to and to be believed.
• Have a voice in the running of the club.
Children should also be encouraged to realise that they also have responsibilities to treat
other children, referees, fellow players, coaches and volunteers with the same degree of
fairness and respect.
In this regard children should undertake to:
• Play fairly, do their best and have fun.
• Make high standards of Fair Play the standard others want to follow.
• Respect opponents, they are not the enemy, they are partners in a sporting event.
• Shake hands before and after the match, whoever wins.
• Give opponents a hand if they are injured, put the ball out of play so they can get attention.
• Accept apologies from opponents when they are offered.
• Respect fellow team members and support them both when they do well and when things go wrong.
• Treat players from minority groups with the same respect you show other people.
• Be modest in victory and be gracious in defeat “BE A SPORT”.
• Approach the club Children’s Officer with any questions or concerns they might have. Coaches
and parents should encourage children to speak out and support them in doing so.
Children should not:
• Cheat.
• Use abusive language, or argue with, the referee,
officials, team mates or opponents.
• Use violence, use physical contact only when it is
allowed within the rules.
• Bully.
• Tell lies about adults or other children.
• Spread rumours.
• Take banned substances to improve performance.
• Keep secrets about any person who may have caused them harm.
Responsibility to Report
Any person, who has concerns about a child’s welfare or who suspects that a child is being abused,
or is at risk of abuse, has a responsibility to report their concerns to the Health Board or Gardai.
Persons unsure about whether or not certain behaviours are abusive and therefore reportable,
are advised that they can seek advice from the duty social worker in their local health board area
where they will receive appropriate advice.
In cases of emergency where a child appears to be at immediate and serious risk and the duty
social worker is not contactable, call the Gardai.
Under no circumstances should a child be left in a dangerous situation pending intervention by
the Statutory Authorities.
All clubs should have clear procedures for responding to reports or concerns relating to the
safety and welfare of children. Coaches / volunteers, children and parents / guardians should be
aware of how and to whom they report concerns within the club or organisation.
Mobile Phones
Mobile phones are often given to children for security, enabling parents to keep in touch and
make sure they are safe.
However such technology has also allowed an increase in direct personal contact with young
people, in some cases used to cross personal boundaries and cause harm. Within clubs there is
a need to encourage responsible and secure use of mobile phones.
In this respect Coaches are advised to:
• Use group texts for communication among athletes and teams and inform parents of this
at the start of the season
• It is not appropriate to have constant communication for individual athletes
• Don’t use the phone in certain locations; inappropriate use of your camera phone may
cause upset or offence to another person, e.g. changing rooms
For further information or advice see:
FAI Code of Ethics & Best Practice which is available on our website www.fai.ie
Or contact: FAI Code of Ethics Programme Co-ordinator / National Children’s Officer,
80 Merrion Square, Dublin 2. Tel. 087 9691422 Email: codeofethics@fai.ie