We are a TEAM of THREE…

Adelaide Croatia Raiders believe success is achieved by the harmonious collaboration of the three elements of junior football. The club and its coaches, the parent or guardian and most importantly the player. So how do we measure success? Primarily the enjoyment of every junior player must be the overriding aim of all concerned. Underneath that lies development both as a footballer and a person. We want every player to leave our junior program having had a positive learning experience. We achieve this by all working together for a common goal with agreed terms and expectations.

CLUB

  • The club will provide an inclusive, supportive and safe environment for every child exclusive of race, gender, ability or any other factor. That will include suitable facilities, equipment and personnel.

  • The club will provide coaches of suitable quality. That includes a minimum level of coaching qualification in addition to all required police checks. Coaches will be part of an ongoing coach education program, with a commitment to continual coach improvement. However all coaches begin as parents, so the club will seek and encourage participation of parents with a view to a coaching role.

  • The club will provide a clear structure of management for any parent queries. Initial queries to be addressed to coach who will be supported by:
    1. Age group Technical Director, 2.Technical Director, 3. Committee, 4. Club President in that order.

  • Coaches will conduct themselves in a professional and positive manner, always focusing on player enjoyment and development before results.

PARENT

  • Each team will require certain volunteer roles to be provided by parents. These include but are not limited to; team manager, game day steward, game day linesperson. Each team coach will communicate with parents to decide the appropriate process for appointment of roles.

  • Parents will ensure players arrive at training or games at the appropriate times as set out by the coach. The coach will also set out a clear method and requirement for informing the club of any non-attendance. Parents will also ensure players are suitably dressed in appropriate team kit.

  • Parents will have no part of team selections. That will be entirely and solely the responsibility of the coach. The coach will decide positions, playing time and team selection.

  • Parents (and any family member or friend they may invite) will be required to meet agreed standards of conduct on match days. Displaying a positive and encouraging outlook towards all players, coaches and officials. Any display of negative behaviour will not be tolerated and could result in a parent being asked to leave the ground by the appointed match day steward. Parents are required to be supportive, regardless of result or performance, toward all participants. Parents are not permitted to ‘coach’ from the sidelines. It is important the player receives instruction from only one voice and that will be the coach. Whilst well intended, sideline coaching from parents can often be confusing and contradictory for young players. Ensure all verbal communication is of a general and supportive nature. As set out by FFSA match day guidelines, parents will be required to stand on the opposite side of the pitch to the coaching staff and substitutes. It is forbidden to approach any players or staff during the game.

PLAYER

  • Each player agrees to always behave in an appropriate manner. As a representative of both the club and their family, players are required to act in a sporting manner to all fellow players, staff and officials. There is a full disciplinary procedure set out in the FFSA rules of competition. In addition to these the club may decide to take further action if deemed necessary in severe circumstances. The club, parent and player will work together to ensure all players are aware of the standards of behaviour expected. The Club may pass on FFSA fines on to players if their behaviour has been deemed reckless and/or has breached this code, or excessive yellow cards have been accrued.

  • Each player agrees to try their best at every training session or game. To be attentive, diligent and follow instruction from the coach. Regardless of outcome, the players’ best effort should always be aimed for.

  • Each player agrees to act in a supportive manner toward fellow players, staff and officials. The club will not tolerate any sign of bullying and in such circumstances will work with the coach and parents to decide a suitable course of action.

  • Most importantly each player agrees to ENJOY THEMSELVES. Don’t ever forget that’s what this is all about. Have fun everyone.

Parent/Guardian Agreement

In line with the guidelines set out in the document and the published competition rules and regulations as set out by Football South Australia. I the Parent/Guardian of the said player, on behalf of any family or friend representative, agree to abide by the following:

  1. Volunteer my time for match day roles as requested by the coach or set out in an equal rota system. The roles will include Match Day Steward, Linesperson and for some age groups Referee. The game will not be able to go ahead without these roles being filled by volunteer parents and are not the responsibility of the club or the competition. For further details of what each job entails, contact your coach directly.

  2. Ensure players arrive at the agreed time for both training and match days. Failure to arrive at the agreed time could result in non-selection for the player.

  3. Make every possible effort to inform the coach of non-attendance as soon as possible.

  4. Ensure players attend training and match day in the appropriate kit including shin pads and water bottle. Failure to have the correct kit may result in non-selection (e.g. Competition rules do not allow any player to play without shin pads)

  5. Understand that team selection, positions and game time will solely be the responsibility of the coach and I shall have no input.

  6. Agree to abide by the competition rules and be positioned on the opposite side to the coach’s technical area on match days.

  7. Not approach or attempt to contact the coach during the match or training session unless in a matter of extreme emergency.

  8. Agree to abide by the guidelines set out in the document regarding acceptable behaviour. This includes but is not limited to; not coaching from the sideline, being general and encouraging in nature, accepting official’s decisions.

  9. Agree to lead by example in my conduct and abide by all competition rules.

  10. Agree to police ourselves as parents/guardians and understand the responsibility we have to keep any dispute away from the players.