Coaching at Stour Wanderers FC

Research shows that girls who take part in sport are healthier, more confident, and more resilient. They develop strong friendships, teamwork and leadership skills, better mental wellbeing, and lifelong habits that support an active lifestyle. The confidence, communication skills, and resilience gained through sport also support success at school, in careers, and in life.

As coaches, your responsibility is to ensure every player has a positive experience. We want teams to be competitive and to enjoy the challenge of trying to win, but never at the expense of a player’s confidence or enjoyment of the game.

As players develop, you will sometimes need to make difficult decisions about selection, positions, or playing time. These are part of football, but must always be handled in a way that leaves players feeling respected, supported, and motivated to keep improving.

Every player deserves the opportunity to learn and progress, regardless of ability. While not everyone will be ready for league matches at the same time, all players should be welcomed at training, encouraged to improve, and made to feel a valued part of the team.

As a coach, you represent the club every time you step onto the pitch, attend a fixture, or interact with players, parents, officials, and opposition. Your behaviour reflects on both you and everyone associated with the club.

We expect coaches to lead by example at all times, treating everyone with courtesy, respect, and professionalism. Football can be emotional, and there may be moments of disagreement, but these should always be handled calmly and respectfully. Any concerns must be dealt with through the appropriate club policies and escalation procedures, not through confrontation, and we will support coaches who raise issues in the right way.

Players will follow your example, so we expect coaches to promote good sportsmanship before, during, and after matches – including respect for referees, thanking opposition coaches, and encouraging handshakes or a “Good Game” (GG) fist bump at the end of games. Winning matters, but so does how we behave; we aim to compete with passion, respect others, and enhance the club’s reputation whatever the result.

We are one club, working together to support every player and team. While each team has its own identity and age group, we all share the same values and purpose, and every player wears the same badge with pride as a Stour Wanderers player.

Working this way brings real benefits. It allows us to share ideas, support each other, and provide a consistent, positive experience for all players, as well as clear pathways for development and progression.

We encourage coaches and teams to support one another and celebrate each other’s success. When we work as one club, everyone benefits – players, coaches, and the wider club community.

All managers are expected to attend club meetings when they are held by the committee, including the annual general meeting (AGM). If managers are unable to attend, a coach from the team should attend in their place. These meetings are an important opportunity to share updates, stay aligned, and ensure we are working together to support our players, in the best possible way.

• All coaches must hold an up-to-date DBS check (the club will cover the cost).
• All coaches must complete the online FA Playmaker online course
• All coaches must complete the online FA Safeguarding Children training (the club will cover the cost).
• All coaches must complete the online FA introduction to First Aid in Football training (the club will cover the cost).
• The Club Safeguarding Officer will notify coaches and team managers when any qualifications or checks are due to expire and need renewing
• The Team Manager is responsible for ensuring all members of their coaching team remain fully up to date with required qualifications and checks
• If we are able to find the funding, we will do our best to offer coaches the opportunity to complete the Introduction to Football coaching course.

• All coaches must read, understand, and follow all club policies, with particular attention to the Safeguarding Policy
• All coaches must know and follow the correct procedure for reporting any safeguarding concerns immediately.
• Any safeguarding concerns must be reported to our Safeguarding Officer in line with club procedures and escalated appropriately without delay

• All fixtures to be entered onto the team’s Spond group before the start of the season.
• Confirm all your team’s players are registered with the club. You can check this with the Club Secretary.
• Make sure all player fees have been paid. This can be checked with the Club Treasurer.

• Check FA Full Time emails for opposition contact details and any allocated referee information
• If a referee is appointed and contact details are provided, send a courtesy message to confirm kick-off time and location
• If no referee is appointed, the home team manager must arrange a referee for the match (this does not need to be a qualified referee)
• For all home games, contact the opposition manager on the Sunday or Monday before the fixture to confirm kick-off time, venue/location, kit colours, and safeguarding officer details
• Provide the pre-match contact sheet to the opposition manager
• In the event of adverse weather, the pitch must be checked as early as possible and the opposition notified immediately if a postponement is required
• If you are unable to fulfil a fixture, the Club Secretary and opposition manager must be informed by midday on the Thursday before the match. Failure to do so may result in a club fine
• If you postpone a match, the team manager must contact the opposition manager to agree a rearranged date and notify the Club Secretary within 14 days of the postponement. The rearranged fixture does not need to be played within this period
• The league will arrange a new date, without consultation of either manager, if this process is not followed
• Only two non-weather-related postponements per team per season are permitted. Additional postponements may result in a club fine
• Requests to change kick-off times for home fixtures must be submitted via the Club Secretary at least five days before kick-off. If mutually agreed with the opposition, this formal process is not required
• Ensure respect barriers are used at all home games
• Ensure corner flags are in place for all home games
• For U12s and above, ensure lineperson flags are provided
• For U12s and above, a parent volunteer linesperson must be identified for both home and away fixtures
• Ensure a fully stocked first aid kit is available for all matches
• Ensure bibs are taken to cover potential kit clashes
• A team sheet must be created, provided to the opposition manager (at the game) and signed by both managers.

• Match results must be uploaded to the FA Full-Time website or FA Matchday app within 24 hours. This applies to all age groups, whether competitive or non-competitive.
• Any significant injuries must be reported to the Club Safeguarding Officer, including details of the injury and any treatment given. Parents must also be informed if they were not present at the game.
• Any safeguarding issues to be reported to Club Safeguarding Officer.
• For all home games, any equipment or pitch issues must be reported to the club.
• Goals must be stored safely and locked away, and all equipment must be packed away properly to ensure it lasts.