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Children in Sport Code of Ethics
I attended the Irish Sports Council and FAI Awareness Workshop for Children in Sport. The child protection in sport awareness workshop is interactive and you will be prepared to get involved in the the 2.5 hr workshop.

It is the responsibility of all adults involved in football to actively promote best practice standards whilst being ever vigilant and aware of their responsibilities. Completing this workshop is part of your responsibility to the welfare and safety of children, which is paramount.

Children First Legislation was published on the 14th April.

The Bill provides for a number of key child protection measures, as follows:
- A requirement on organisations providing services to children to keep children safe and to produce a Child Safeguarding Statement;
- A requirement on defined categories of persons (mandated persons) to report child protection concerns over a defined threshold to the Child and Family Agency (the Agency);
- A requirement on mandated persons to assist the Agency in the assessment of a child protection risk, if so requested to do so by the Agency;
- Putting the Children First Interdepartmental Group on a statutory footing.
Provisions of the Bill will ensure that concerns about children will be brought to the attention of the Agency without delay and improve the quality of reports made to the Agency and the quality of follow up on concerns. The new legislation will operate in tandem with the existingChildren First: National Guidance for the Protection and Welfare of Children [2011]. Obligations on organisations

Organisations providing services to children and young people will now be required to undertake an assessment of any risks to a child while the child is availing of its services, and use this as the basis for developing a Child Safeguarding Statement. The purpose of the Statement is to identify how the organisation will manage any risks identified in the risk assessment. The Safeguarding Statement will also outline how staff/volunteers will be provided with information to identify abuse which children may experience outside the organisation, and what they should do with any concerns about child safety.

Minister Fitzgerald said it will strengthen the approach to protecting children in Ireland. “This brings an absolute clarity to the requirement to report abuse, to intervene if you’re aware a child is being abused,” she said. “So this strengthens the approach to protecting children in this country in a very important way.”

Mandated Reporters

Mandated reporters are persons who, by virtue of their training, responsibilities and experience should have an awareness of issues relating to child protection. These professionals either work with children or young people or they are in service sectors that encounter adults or families and children where there is risk of abuse and neglect. Mandated reporters will be required to report information regarding child abuse above a defined threshold which comes to their attention in the course of their professional or employment duties. They will also be required to report any direct disclosures of abuse from a child.

“Our Goal is that children’s soccer is a safe & fun for all participants and conducted in the spirit of fair play” FAI

Conclude:

The FAI had up until recently 1 tutor responsible for child protection, now they have over 24, such is the seriousness of this bill. Any person working with children (This means everyone at the club) will be required to get Garda vetted and attend this workshop. The Chairman of the club is ultimately responsible for child welfare at the club not the child welfare officer as you might imagine.

I would suggest anyone involved with youth football to read Rule 71 and Rule 72 of the FAI > FINAL-Rule-Book and it’s best you do this course ASAP.

It was great to sit down with coaches and discuss some of the issues concerning the kids game at present. We all know that we could certainly be doing a lot more, to make the game a more enjoyable experience for the kids that play it.

You will also find some more information on The Irish Sports Council Website > The Code of Ethics and Good Practice for Children’s Sport in Ireland

For more information and a list of FAI courses > Child Protection Course

-End

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April 30, 2014
Usher To Rise Again..
I caught up with Anthony Carroll this week who is Club Development Director at Usher Celtic and we spoke about the re-building of Usher Celtic and his 5 year plan.

TCD: Tell me about the new stricture being put in place?

AC: This new structure will allow the club to a) grow and b) maintain the successful growth. The structure will be implemented by a project plan that is phased from year 1 to year 5.

By implementing this, everyone is singing off the same hymn sheet.

TCD: What’s the long term plan?

AC: The long term plan is to create Dublin’s most successful Inner City Club with a target of 1000 players by year 5. One of the great failings of most (if not all clubs) is the lack of a visible and agreed framework and plan. The structure specifically addresses 6 key success areas:
1. Club’s Mission/Goals & Philosophy – What are the core values of the club and reasons for it’s existence.
2. Coach & Player Development Model – How are the club going to effectively develop the coaches and players.
3. Staff – Leaders/Team members – Who are the the club’s key people and members to successfully implement and manage the plan.
4. Facilities – What are the short and long term facilities required to effectively implement the above.
5. Admin/Support & Marketing – What processes and systems will be in place to help the club promote and market’s, as well as support the team members and all the key functions..
6. Club’s Finance & Funding – How much money is required to grow and maintain the success of the club.
I believe the above captures all the key criteria for managing and growing a successful grassroots/junior club. Furthermore, each factor flows onto the next.

TCD: Talk to me about how all this is going to work?

AC: One of the first things we have done is agree the core objectives of the club, along with the core values and philosophy we will use to reach these objectives. And the key to this is that EVERYONE agrees and buys into it, no matter who they are and this of course MUST include new recruits. If they dont, then they wont be involved. This is a fundamental flaw in grassroots football club and the whole community, whereby so many have different agendas and philosophies. By implementing this, everyone is singing off the same hymn sheet.

Then I have recommended we put in a leadership team – board of directors/owners/etc.. One important role I created was a Club Development Director, not just a Director of Football. I have not come across one club yet, who has recruited such a person. This person is crucial to the overall success of any club as he/she will help develop ALL aspects of the club – from teams/coaches/funding/marketing and more…

I made sure to properly set up the club as a non-profit social enterprise, as this has much greater benefits long term, especially when it comes to accessing support and local funding. Not to mention, it adds credibility as the revenue and profits are pumped back into the club to continue to meet it’s core objectives.

TCD: What will Usher coaching philosophy be?

AC: Regarding the Coaching and Development Model – I have proposed to create 3 key sections in the club to help implement an effective coaching and development model.
1. Recreational Section
2. Development Section
3. Elite
The main reason for the above is to make sure every player enjoys his/her football at the appropriate level for their abilities and skills. Our aim is to NEVER refuse a player.

Recreational will be for players who simply want to just play and who have little or no interest in becoming elite footballers. These players and teams will play locally within Dublin City without any attachment to a league per say.

Development players will play within development teams whereby they show a good level of interest and ability, they will be associated to league

Elite players will play at a level whereby they will receive the best coaching etc to give them the best opportunity to create a professional career in football. These will be associated to league but also receive ‘extra’ coaching hours per week.

That is all for the time being, but at least this gives a good snapshot of what has been implemented. i’ll finish by saying Usher Celtic is focussed on promoting a healthy lifestyle and life skills through football.

Usher Celtic History

Formed in 1943 to date
- First successes occurred in 1960’s when senior teams won junior division titles (lower league)
- Mick Hayes joined club during this time and was instrumental in its successes between1964 and 1990.
- First schoolboy team registered in late 60’s with DDSL
- Club shared ColdCut grounds up to 1980’s when it then moved to Islandbridge.
- Most successful era was the 1980’s – 1st Team won successful league titles gaining promotion in each. From 1983-86 right up to Premier Division.
- Biggest achievement was winning 1988 FAI Junior Cup. Was semi finalist in 1986 and Finalist in 1987.
- Won Junior Shield in 1984.
- Club had numerous schoolboy successes with league winners in DDSL from u8-12’s between 2000 and present.
- Currently have 4 schoolboys teams but plans are afoot to add further 2 teams next season. Additional plans are being put in place to have one team in each age group within 3 years.
Current Board of Directors

Tony O’Rourke (Club Secretary & Chairman)

Tony Buckley (Honorary President)

Paul Conroy (Treasurer & Senior Football Secretary)

Anthony Carroll (Director of Football & Club Development Officer)

Dermot Dalton (Coach Education & Small Sided Games Director)

Coaches
- We have 10 coaches actively involved in the club at present.
Future Position
- We will be recruiting a Coach Coordinator, Marketing Assistant and Administrators
-End

TCD would like to thanks Anthony and we wish Usher Celtic the very best for what looks like an exciting future for the club.

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April 30, 2014
New Coerver Coaching Munster Dates
Coerver Youth Diploma Courses to be held in Munster this summer.

Carrick United AFC
- Location: Carrick United AFC, Carrick On Suir
- Dates: June 21st & June 22nd
- Delivered by Austin Speight
- Time: 10am – 4pm
- Cost: per coach is €229 which includes Coursework & 5 DVD Box Set (RRP €69.99)
Blarney United
- Location: Blarney United FC, Cork
- Dates: August 9th & 10th
- Delivered by Scott Wright
- Time: 10am – 4pm
- Cost: per coach is €229 which includes Coursework & 5 DVD Box Set (RRP €69.99)
Note: As these are the first Diploma’s to be held in Munster, they have received several confirmations along with significant interest already so they strongly advise you to book your places ASAP. Places at both venues will be limited, so bookings will only be reserved on receipt of payment.

To book online and for further information about the course and the Coerver staff delivering the courses go to Coerver Coaching Munster

Course Overview

The purpose of the Coerver® Coaching Youth Diploma is to give attendees, whether you are a professional academy coach, junior coach, teacher or parent a greater understanding of how to plan & deliver more effective coaching sessions.

This will be made possible by learning to use the New Coerver® Coaching Session Planner which will provide a quick & easy solution for all attendees who would like to construct weekly, monthly or even season long programmes using proven, high quality drills & games from Coerver® Coaching, “The Worlds’s Number 1 Soccer Skills Teaching Method”.

Coaches – What you get
1. Drills and games developed over our 30 year history, that you can use to build sessions for many seasons using the NEW Coerver® Coaching Session Planner.
2. The secrets Coerver® Coaching have used over the last 30 years to establish themselves as “The World’s Number One Soccer Skills Teaching Method”
3. Essential tips on how to improve your coaching & make your sessions more effective
The Coerver ® Coaching Youth Diploma is a 2-day course that has been broken down into 4 modules that will be presented through lecture presentations & practical demonstrations:
- Module 1 – The Coerver® Approach To Coaching
- Module 2 – The Coerver® Curriculum
- Module 3 – Coerver® Session Planning for your Season
- Module 4 – Coerver® Tips To Be A Better Coach
Youth Diploma Attendee Quotes

Jose Morais, First Team Coach – Real Madrid CF

“These last two days on the Coerver® Coaching Youth Diploma course certainly made me a better coach, I have been a fan of Coerver® for many years”.

Carl Lander, Assistant Head Teacher – St Aubyns School, Essex

“The foundations of great teaching have always been championed by Coerver® who have taken football and created a system by which any child, through hard work and good teaching can master the basic ball skills, that then lead onto their application in skilful play. We are passionate about our football and the belief that we must develop our players to be the best they can be. The Coerver® Coaching Youth Diploma Course has just made this whole job so much easier.”

David Connolly, Southampton FC Striker

“I enjoyed the Coerver® Coaching Youth Diploma course immensely, I feel the course did show me some variations on familiar themes and I enjoyed how both Alf and Scott presented the course”.

Mark Williams, Grassroots Coach – Birmingham

“I thought the Youth Diploma course was excellent, Coerver® is the building block on which all football should be taught. I thoroughly enjoyed the course and it has really encouraged me to want to become a better coach”.

Richard Beale, Reserve Team Manager – Birmingham City FC

“I thoroughly enjoyed the Coerver® Coaching Youth Diploma course, and would recommend that all coaches working with young players should attend”.

Contact: If you need further information contact Jason.brown@coervercoachingmunster.ie or Call 087 689 1327

-End

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April 30, 2014
Andres Iniesta: How to Boss the Midfield

Andres Iniesta talks to FOURFOURTWO PERFORMANCE on picking the right pass and bamboozling the opponent, here are his six steps to success.

Receiving a pass

Before I receive the ball, I quickly look to see which players I can give it to. Always be aware of who is around you: if you feel them closing down, take a touch to move the ball away from them. Try and put yourself in space to get the pass: the more space you have, the more time you have to think. And when you get the ball, don’t move it towards the opponent. That said, sometimes I’m happy to run at a player and just hold the ball in front of him. That way I’ve moved the team forward.

‘Here they make you think from day one. The first thing you do when you join this club is rondo (the passing drill with one player trying to win the ball back and three or four players passing one-touch between themselves). It’s think, think, think, and it teaches you the responsibility of keeping the ball and the shame of losing it.

Playing the pass

Every pass is important. A bad pass loses possession and puts the team under pressure. Short passes build momentum and if you have the ball then the opponents can’t do anything. Know the time to make a killer pass. If you need a goal, search for the space to make the pass. If you’re protecting a lead, keep possession and play safer. Because we have played together for a long time to a certain system, everyone knows where to move. That makes my job easier, knowing where Xavi or Leo [Messi] will be.

For Xavi it starts in the stands with the difference between English and Spanish football culture. ‘You are a nation of warriors,’ he says. ‘If I go to Liverpool’s ground and someone puts the ball into the area and Carragher hammers it out of play then the fans applaud. In the Nou Camp you would never be applauded for that. ‘It’s a different culture that values different things. Here if they see you are afraid when you are in possession then you get whistled. It’s the world in reverse. Thinking on your feet

If you think before your opponent where the ball is going to go then you have an advantage. If you stay with the ball at your feet and think about what to do, you are going to lose the ball. The best players are the quickest thinkers. Where is my team-mate going to run to? Will he stay onside? Which one has space? Which one is looking for the ball? How do they like the ball – to their feet or in front? You can be the best passer in the world, but without your team-mates being in the right position, it’s no good.

‘You lift your head before you receive the ball, you look to see if you are in space, and who else is in space, and you play the ball first time. Modern football is so quick that two touches means too slow.’

Drawing a foul

Make the opponent think that you are going one way, then go the other. Confuse him. And when your opponent has the ball, close him down quickly. Put him under pressure before he’s even had time to think about an attack. Another thing: if the attack has gone, don’t waste energy playing catch-up. You can be as much use to the team as a defender if the ball comes back. Or you can move up more slowly and still be in a position to shoot if the ball comes back to you.

‘You spot a youngster who can lift his head and play a first-time pass and you think, “He’s worth something, let’s have him come and train with us”.’

Dealing with a giant

If I play against a big player, I play the ball quickly on the ground. Playing a quick one-two is also very effective as bigger players are slower to react and turn. I also keep a distance from them so that I can turn quickly and we don’t find ourselves going for the same ball. I only weigh 63 kilos so I don’t have weight to throw around. If you can get the ball past them a few times using a one-two they will be more reluctant to rush in and tackle, so you have more space to play. Barça is a small team, so we use our height well. It’s good for me to take corners, not just because I’m unlikely to win the ball in the air.

‘From the age of 10, they make you think of the shame of losing the ball’

Shooting from distance

I’m not a natural scorer, but if I see an opening, I’ll shoot. I shoot if I think I can score and I’ll aim for the part of the goal that’s most difficult for the goalkeeper. That’s what I did in the World Cup final – the corner near the post. And against Chelsea too [Champions League semi-final in 2009], because I saw a space through a crowd of players. Opposition players in front make it more complicated – for me but also for the goalkeeper – because they can’t see properly. And if there’s someone in a better position, I’ll pass. So you need to know who is around you all the time and where they are.

Check out FOURFOURTWOPERFORMANCE

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April 25, 2014
Don’t ruin your season over a very basic decision….

It’s called the business time of the year as many teams are fighting relegation, or on the brinks of a first league championship or for some it’s a cup semi or even a cup final. Many coaches/managers can’t put their entire season and coach reputation on the line by not being true to their beliefs, players and responsibilities. Let’s not forget, I’m taking about kids football here.

What are you on about, you might ask? Earlier today I received a call from a lady who’s friends son plays for an SSG side. Yesterday they played their semi final cup game but for 3 of the players who had got the team this to this point, it was heartbreak when they arrived at the ground. Dropped and for one reason only, to win the game.

They soon found out why when 3 players showed up from the clubs’s year below team. This might seem trivial enough to some but to anyone who has played the game will know that being dropped for an important game (not having a part to play) like a cup semi, can be a life long disappointment for any child. For sure the kids who were dropped won’t forget this game and they certainly won’t forget the coach who dropped them. After all, kids just want to play.

‘Most kids would rather play on a losing team than sit on the bench of a winning one. That doesn’t mean that kids don’t value winning, just that they prefer playing’

For every player each game is as important as the next one but cup games bring with them a tradition, they bring a slightly different feeling compared to other fixtures. Every child dreams of playing in a cup final, every parents dreams of watching their child perform in one.

For many coaches these games can bring with them unrecognised pressure. The pressure not to lose, not to be deemed as a failure and this is were so many become self obsessed. They think it’s about them, they thinks it’s about this one game; but it’s never about them, it’s always about the kids.

It’s these types of moments that will separate the best from the rest and I’m not talking about tactics. What I’m taking about is being fair to each and every player in your squad. Being fair to the players who have shown up to training week after week. Being fair to the players who have done their best for the team. Being fair to the players who have stuck by each other in the good times and the bad times, but most of all, – being a coach with integrity, with honesty, with loyalty and respect for his players.

‘A good coach supports, rewards, teaches, and makes it fun’

Children understand that their might be better players than them on the team. However they won’t accept you being unfair to them and they certainly won’t forget. After all, the role of a coach is to reward hard work, discipline and commitment. When a player does everything that is required, works on his/her weaknesses and never cut corners. That is supposed to count isn’t it?

Shouldn’t a child’s playing time and a starting position come down to hard work, commitment to the team and showing up for training? For all the wrong reasons Children will remember the coach who tells them one thing about what he expects but then when you meet those expectations, he goes ahead and does the opposite of what he’s told you. You show up for training, do your best, perform well and then when it comes down to game time, you find yourself sitting on the bench or even worse, you find kids from the age below brought in to take your place in order to win the game. For sure this is the one thing that the kids will remember from a coach. It might be the one thing that removes them from the game for ever. Come June, everyone will have forgotten about the cup final but they won’t forget how you made them feel. Not being true to your word and being dishonest and/or disloyal is what you will be remembered for.

“Live so that when your children think of fairness and integrity, they think of you.” – H. Jackson Brown, Jr.

To any coach who doesn’t want to fall into this category and be branded for life. Don’t get caught up in the winning of a single game. Be true to yourself, be true to your players (team), give them the opportunity to experience the chance of playing in such important games. Although you may never get to another final, the players will remember how fair you were and not how you won it. For sure, they will never forget these moments and they will certainly never forget how you made them feel.

To the players, if you truly love your game, then try not to let any coach’s unfair decisions get to you. Absolutely, this is easier said than done. It can be very upsetting and frustrating to have to “play” or “not play” for this kind of coach. The trick however is to try not let any adult steal your joy and love for the game (I know I don’t always get it right but I will always apologise if i get it wrong). Just like in adult life you won’t always have to work with that person, so just like your coach, you won’t always have to play him/her and not all coaches are unfair, many are a great inspiration to hundreds of kids. Keep doing your best and focus on performance, you can control that. One thing you can do is keep work hard in training regardless if you like the coach or not. Don’t let any coach stop you from working hard!

-End

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April 24, 2014
How to be a supportive parent at your childs game.

We all know that trying to be your child best friend in most cases doesn’t work in the long run. Every parent wants the best for their child.

So what’s the right role? First and foremost your main “job” is to be your child’s best supporter in the game. You are there to support them and not criticise them. Even when they are having a bad day at the office. Then he/she needs your support even more.

I see it all the time, where parents go over the entire game and point out their chill’s mistakes. Not even adults like to hear about the things they did wrong. Kids are no different. In fact you should be the doing the opposite and pointing out the things they did well and with the younger ages we need to be a little more flexible. If a four-year-old works hard on something and does a good job for him/her, praise is certainly appropriate and might need to be slightly exaggerated.

See How to Praise article I posted.

Feeback

Providing feedback on what he/she did wrong or expressing your disappointment in their play is NOT what they need to hear and will only serve to make a painful situation much worse. Support and encouragement does NOT mean that you coach from the sidelines. In fact, the VERY WORST THING that you as a parent can do is to “coach” from the sidelines. See Silent Sideline

What’ do I mean by coaching?

Offering “helpful” advice and your views on the game before and during the it, telling your child what to do and where to go, criticising their play and getting frustrated with them when they make mistakes are all examples of what not to do. This exceedingly destructive parental behaviour is all we seem to hear and see theses days. After game evaluating is another example of VERY destructive parental coaching behaviour. Children learn at different stages, stop forcing the process.

The large numbers of parents attending kids sports games these days, is relatively a new thing. Years ago we didn’t that many parents on the sidelines and although it’s great to have them, they need to be educated on how to behave and react to their child participation. Parents need to understand that they are not helping the child when they coach them, nor are they helping the team. As a coach I know that once the game is underway I have very little impact on the outcome. The impact I have on my teams performance happens during the week. The game belongs to them, it’s their time to shine and perform.

Parents need to realise that all the shouting and directing will NOT get them (the kids) to play better. You are NOT motivating them, even if you know the game and that’s your intention! Coaching and instructing from the sidelines will distract your child from the flow of the game, make him/her more nervous, kill his/her enjoyment and, as a consequence, insure that he will consistently play badly. Keep in mind that your “so called helpful” sideline comments are more often then not experienced by your child as an embarrassment. If you can’t say anything positive, then shut up and observe. You will see a lot more and the experience will be better for everyone.

Instructions

Coaching instructions are only appropriate from the coaches, NOT the parents. Instead, parents should observe from the sidelines, cheer for good execution (skill or attempt at skill) regardless of which side it comes from, and encourage fair play and good sportsmanship.

This means that you as a parent need to model appropriate, mature behaviours during the game. Shouting at your child, his teammates or the opponents is NOT mature, appropriate behaviour. Loudly criticising the refs is NOT mature or appropriate either. It is NOT your job to ridicule the referees. So regardless of how well you may know this game, your loud screams are not wanted. Loudly complaining to the ref every time he/she makes a “what you think is a bad decision” is not only an embarrassment to your child, but it’s quite selfish on your part as you are inflecting your opinions on the game and It takes the focus of the game, off the kids and onto you where it shouldn’t be.

Kids Game, Be Respectful.

Remember, football is about the kids, NOT the adults, the game belongs to them and it is NOT appropriate for parents to spend their sideline time moaning to other parents about the team’s coaches and the playing or tactical decisions that they make. If you have a problem with the coaches then deal with them at an appropriate time and place, NOT before, during or right after a game. The vast majority of coaches are volunteers (they give up their time for FREE), they don’t get paid for their time and are doing the best job that they can. What they need from you is your support and help, NOT your disgust and/or criticism.

Don’t sweat not being in the squad. Don’t worry about starting on the bench. Don’t panic about the level you’re playing at. You’ll get in the team. You’ll get to play from the first minute. You’ll move up a level. But only if you commit 100% to learning, developing and improving. Sports Psychologist Dan Abrahams

Finally, try to act on the sidelines in a way that would make your son or daughter proud to have you as a parent. Remember, your child is not the only one that’s performing during the game. You are also a performer ( A SILENT ONE) and the quality of their experience is firmly in your hands. Conduct yourself in such a way that you clearly communicate to your child and those around you that this is just a recreational game for children, played by children for FUN.

Also, if there are other parents around you who are unable to maintain this kind of perspective, it’s not your job to react to them for misbehaving. Let the coach or club educate them on what is expected from them on the sidelines.

Football is a wonderful avenue to help your children learn valuable life long lessons. Do your part to insure that these lessons they are learning are constructive, positive and most importantly FUN!

-End

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April 18, 2014
U17s National League
The u17s National is on schedule according to inside reports. A list of scheduled meetings which are taking place on 22nd, 23rd & 24th April in relation to the League will be held on:
- Tuesday, 22nd April @ 7p.m. FAI Abbotstown
- Wednesday, 23rd April @ 7p.m. Tipperary St. Michaels FC
- Thursday, 24th April @ 7p.m. Sligo Clarion Hotel
The talks will be held by Ruud Dokter (Director, High Performance), Niall Harrison (Emerging Talent Programme, National Coordinator), Fran Gavin (Director, Competitions Department), & Pat Duffy (Underage coordinator). Ruud Dokter and Niall Harrison will be giving a presentation on the night and this will be followed by a Q&A session.

Any Club with an interest in the National League U17s is invited to attend the meeting.

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April 15, 2014