These codes should be read in conjunction with the Club Constitution. The Club Committee reserves the right to alter these codes in order to maintain the smooth running of the Club.

PLAYERS RESPONSIBILITIES

Player’s are expected to enjoy themselves – our codes are to ensure they are able to do so.
Player’s should become aware of the Club Codes of Conduct and the Laws of the game of Football.
Player’s are requested to uphold the Clubs standards of clean, fair play and good behaviour. Swearing, fighting, abuse of any kind and general unpleasantness will be deemed as misconduct and dealt with by the Club Committee accordingly.
Player’s are requested to remember their coaches and managers are volunteers and to recognise and value their contribution.
Player’s should not question Match Officials decisions. The leagues provide official channels for the Manager to report poor standards of refereeing and the leagues often take action as a result. Other actions may result in disciplinary action against the player, the manager and the Club.
School and school activities have first priority
Teamwork, effort, learning and good sportsmanship are as important as winning.
Players are requested to arrive timely for training and match days
Players should remove or tape all jewellery before preparing to play or train. Players should also refrain from eating or chewing during training or matches
Players must always wear the correct kit; the wearing of shin pads is mandatory. Football boots should be clean and in good condition.
Players are expected to turn out smart in Club colours for all matches. Shirts are to be tucked in whilst playing a match.
Players should inform their manager or coach if they have an injury.
Accept losing without due disappointment, accept winning without gloating over your victory.
Players are reminded that the Club will not be held responsible for loss or theft of personal belongings left in changing rooms. Valuable items should be left at home.
You are a player for Thatcham Tornadoes – be proud to be part of the Club, wear the amber and black shirt with pride and enjoy your football.

PARENTS & SPECTATORS RESPONSIBILITIES

Please help us to keep the standards of football and good sportsmanship at Thatcham Tornadoes high.
Parents are responsible for ensuring their child has appropriate transportation to and from training sessions and matches. For small-sided age groups it is requested that parents remain in attendance for training sessions and matches.
Touchline behaviour and comments from parents are the main cause of League and FA problems. Unruly behaviour and abuse of players, managers and supporters of either team, or of match officials will not be tolerated under any circumstances. Please stand well back behind the touch line when watching matches
Please consider the following points when attending a match:

Young player’s are not playing to satisfy your ambitions
Young player’s are playing for their own enjoyment – not yours
You have a responsibility to encourage young player’s to play to the rules.
Never ridicule or shout at a young player for making a mistake or losing.
Never question a Match Officials decision.
Set an example – applaud good play by both teams.

Any external correspondence that refers to ‘Thatcham Tornadoes Football Club’, must first be approved by the elected Club Committee before issue.

Parents are requested to assist the Manager with the erection and dismantling of the equipment on match days and acting as assistant referees where appropriate.

Parents are reminded that the Manager runs the team and any decision on substitution and match day issues are solely at the Managers discretion.

The Club is permitted to use the various pitches at the discretion of the local authorities. It is therefore imperative that all those involved with the Club act in an appropriate manner. Please take all litter home or place in the appropriate containers if available.

Parents must ensure that players wear suitable equipment, please check that it is not in a dangerous condition and that the player’s jewellery is removed or taped before play.

Parents are requested to remember their coaches and managers are volunteers and to recognise and value their contribution.

Please inform the manager as soon as possible if your child is unfit to train or play and again once they are fully fit.

Please do not bring animals near to the playing area.

Please pay the Club membership fee and any FA fines on time. All players must be registered with the Club and league, have paid their subscriptions and completed their medical form before they are eligible for selection.

All Parents are encouraged to participate in Club fundraising events to help support the provision of football to the boys and girls in the Thatcham area.

MANAGER & COACH RESPONSIBILITIES

Managers will be appointed each year at the Annual General Meeting. New Managers will be subject to a CRB check as part of the Club Volunteer recruitment process. Any Manager found to be disregarding the Club constitution and code of conduct will be suspended and a disciplinary meeting held.
Teams will be picked solely by the Manager, or his/her appointed assistant. Managers should not show favouritism towards individual players. Managers must appoint a competent deputy to provide cover in their absence. The committee shall vet any assistant before approval is granted for them to hold the position.
Managers must ensure that parents are aware of the Club constitution and codes. Manager’s are responsible for the behaviour of players, parents and supporters during training sessions and matches and should personally display good sportsmanship at all times.
Managers are required to notify the Committee of any problems with players or parents immediately, in order to prevent discontent within the squad and more so the Club. Managers must report to the Committee any misconduct by a player, parent or official of their team or any other team.
Managers are responsible for the administration of their team and ensure that players parents are kept informed of all Club activities, including fund raising events.
Managers must become familiar with the rules of the League their team has been entered in, ensure that these rules are adhered to at all times and make efforts to avoid incurring fines.
Any external correspondence must first be approved by the Committee before issue.
Managers must ensure that players wear suitable equipment, that it is not dangerous and that players jewellery is removed or taped before play
If Club funds permit, Managers will be given an allowance at the beginning of each season to go towards the purchase of training items e.g. training bibs. This allowance is not for the purchase of trophies etc.
Managers must ensure that a qualified first-aider is present at all matches and training sessions. First Aid kits should be kept replenished by the Managers and the costs claimed back from the Club.
Managers must ensure that pitches are marked out correctly and that goals and pitches are safe and fit for purpose at all games.
Managers are requested to ensure Club equipment and buildings are left clean and tidy.
Please consider the following points when attending a match:

Young players are not playing to satisfy your ambitions
Young players are playing for their own enjoyment – not yours
You have a responsibility to encourage young players to play to the rules.
Never ridicule or shout at a young player for making a mistake or losing.
Set an example – applaud good play by both teams.
Never question a Match Officials decision. Never doubt his or her honesty.

Managers should play an active part in the operation of the Club. As such they should attend Club meetings and take an active participative role in fund raising activities. Managers should encourage players and parents to participate in fund raising activities for the overall benefit of the Club.

Players who are injured or ill should not play until the Manager has been notified by the players parents that the player is fully fit.

All players must first be registered with the Club and the league, have paid their membership fee and completed their medical form before you are issued with their league registration card and hence available for selection. Managers should forward player’s membership forms and fees promptly to the Registration Secretary.

COMPLAINT PROCEDURE – Issue 2

In the event that any member feels that he or she has suffered discrimination in any way, or that the Club Policies, Rules or Code of Conduct have been broken, they should follow the procedure below:

Report the matter to the Club Secretary or any member of the Club Committee.
Your report should include:
Details of what, when, and where the occurrence took place.
Any witness statement and names.
Names of any others who have been treated in a similar way.
Details of any former complaints made about the incident, date, when and to whom made.
A preference for a solution to the incident.

The Club’s Management Committee will sit for any hearings that are requested.

The Club’s Management Committee will have the power to:

- Warn as to future conduct
- Suspend from membership
- Remove from membership any person found to have broken the Club’s Policies, Rules or Codes of Conduct

CLUB WELFARE OFFICERS: Steve Corcoran, Jon Harrison, Charlotte Herriott & Jodie Fenwick
CHAIRMAN: Gareth Hillen