Mission Statement
Uphall Diamonds exists to provide sporting facilities for boys and girls in the local area and surrounding districts of West Lothian and is run on a voluntary basis.
We operate an 'Open Door Policy' in relation to membership regardless of race, religion, disability or gender.
We believe it is the responsibility of those in charge to care for and develop the participants involved to the best of their individual abilities by creating an environment in which they are safe and receive the best possible coaching. Fair play, mutual understanding and cross community aspects play an important role in the ethos of the club. The Committee and coaches after being vetted by the club are made aware of our ethos and Child Protection Policy.
Everyone at the club should be totally conversant with and abide by :
- All club protection policies
- The club Constitution and Rules
- All Scottish Youth F A Protection Policies
- The Scottish Youth F A Constitution and Rules
We are committed to reviewing our policy and what constitutes good practice at regular intervals.
Constitution
1. Name
The club shall be known as Uphall Diamonds Football Club
2. Aims and Objectives
To encourage participation in and enjoyment of association football.
To develop the skills of all participating players and officials.
To develop the fitness of all participating players.
To provide a positive, environment to play developmental football.
To provide a positive and competitive environment to play eleven a side football.
To promote sportsmanship and fair play in young footballers, officials and parents.
3. Membership Requirements of Uphall Diamonds
All teams under the banner of Uphall Diamonds will be registered with the SYFA ( Scottish Youth Football Association ) and be bound by the rules of that organisation.
All member teams will abide by the Uphall Diamonds Mission Statement.
All member teams will be represented at their respective monthly association meetings.
WLSS for Soccer Sevens and WLYFA for eleven a sides.
All member teams will have a recognised and qualified “first aider” in attendance at all team functions.
4. Club Management
The management of the Parent Club will be vested in an Executive Committee consisting of the Office Bearers, who will have one vote at any club meeting. The Chairperson will have the casting vote.
The Parent Club office bearers will consist of the Chairperson, Secretary and a representative from each team.
All Office bearers shall be elected annually at the AGM. Only representatives from Member teams will be subject to nomination.
The executive committee shall have the power to deal with as it sees fit any matters arising from the activities of the Parent club, all member teams and all players.
Executive Committee meetings to be held on a regular basis in keeping with the football year.
5. Discipline
All Member teams, officials and players shall accept the disciplinary procedures adopted by the S.Y.F.A. and other relevant Leagues or Associations.
The Parent Club shall accept responsibility for the conduct and behaviour of all member teams, officials, players and other individuals associated with the Club.
The Member teams shall agree to abide by the decisions of the Executive Committee.
A disciplinary panel will be set up, as and when necessary. The members to be decided at an emergency Executive Committee meetings
6. Child Protection
In accordance with SYFA rules Uphall Diamonds will have a club “ Child Protection Officer ”
This officer will be the first point of contact regarding any Child Protection issues.
All coaches and officials to be vetted in accordance with SYFA regulations.
West Lothian Football Codes of Conduct
At Uphall Diamonds we abide by the West Lothian Football Codes of Conduct
Brief details of these are shown here. The full details are on the WLAYFC website.
Click here to be taken to that site........................... WLAYFC.
PARENTS/GUARDIANS & SPECTATORS CONDUCT
- Be patient and supportive with young/youth players
- Emphasise good behaviour at all times
- Highlight good play from both teams
- Promote positive play
- Enjoy the game and highlight positive play from both teams
- Always be in control
- Exercise self-control when a goal is scored or lost
- Understand and support the Laws of the Game
- Accept the supervisor/referees decisions
- Never criticise the match supervisor/referee
- Never use bad language
- Never criticise any player, coach or official
ALL ADULTS IN ATTENDANCE MUST SHOW BY EXAMPLE THAT THEY ARE MORE CONCERNED WITH THE WELL-BEING OF THE CHILDREN/YOUTHS AND THE GOOD OF THE GAME, THAN SATISFYING THEIR OWN NEED FOR REFLECTED GLORY.
CLUBS, COACHES & OFFICIALS CONDUCT
- Be a role model to young players
- Be patient and supportive Exercise self-control when a goal is scored or conceded
- Make it fun/challenging for young players
- Be a coach that players respect, by praising and setting a good example
- Seek to update coaching skills and knowledge
- Teach players to play fairly, respect the rules and opponents
- Provide a positive environment for youths to play football
- Do not forget your responsibility as a role model
- Do not over-emphasise results
- Never berate your own player
- Never ridicule or shout at players after mistakes
- Never address opposing teams’ players or management in a negative or agressive manner
- Never criticise match supervisors/referees or speak to him/her in a negative or aggressive manner
- Never ridicule, show disrespect or abuse officials
PLAYER CONDUCT
- Play fairly and encourage your team-mates
- Use your skills
- Enjoy the game
- Display good sportsmanship at all times
- Respect to your coach as well as your opponents
- Shake hands with your opponents at the end of the game
- Accept the decisions of the supervisor/referee
- Behave well at all times
- Never criticise other players when they make a mistake
- Never use bad language on team-mates or opponents
- Never talk back to the referee/supervisor
- Never make fun of your opponents
- Never be unsporting when you score goals
Note for all coaches, players and spectators
Comments on the WLAYFC website criticising referee’s or opponents shall be treated as a breach of SYFA disciplinary guidelines and shall be subject to disciplinary procedure’s.
The WLAYFC are treating this very seriously so take care when posting messages on that website.
Child Protection
All club officials at Uphall Diamonds abide by, and sign up to the SYFA guidelines on child protection.
For the full guidelines follow this link : SYFA Child protection guidelines
The club has set procedures in place to deal with any complaints or concerns that any player, parent, official or spectator may have.
Complaint procedure
Submit a written copy of the complaint to the secretary of the team concerned. If you are not comfortable writing to that secretary then address the matter to the secretary of another team. Failing that sent the complaint via the club website Feedback form
The recipient of the complaint will acknowledge receipt and initiate the investigation process. See the attached links for details : Initial Process : Follow Up Process.
The result of the investigation will be conveyed back to the complainant.
If the process is deviated from, or the results deemed to be unsatisfactory then the matter should be returned to the appropriate secretary, as per the top step. If no satisfaction is obtained then the matter should be referred to the secretary of the WLAYFC, or in the case of Soccer Sevens to the secretary of the WLSS. See the attached link for details of the WLAYFC committee : WLAYFC contacts See the attatched link for details of the WLSS committee : WLSS contacts