Thank you for volunteering your time to support Gomersal & Cleckheaton FC.

Managers and coaches are at the heart of our Club. Beyond organising training sessions and matchdays, you play a vital role in creating a safe, inclusive and enjoyable environment where every player has the opportunity to develop both on and off the pitch.

This handbook sets out the standards, expectations and responsibilities for everyone involved in coaching and managing a GCFC team. It must be read alongside the Club Constitution, Governance Framework and supporting policies.

OUR COACHING PHILOSOPHY

Gomersal & Cleckheaton FC is proud to be a grassroots football club. Our purpose is to provide football for everyone in a safe, inclusive and enjoyable environment where every player has the opportunity to develop, regardless of their ability or ambition.

We encourage players to work hard, compete positively and become the best they can be. However, success at GCFC is measured by far more than results on the pitch. We value player development, teamwork, respect, enjoyment, sportsmanship and community.

Every manager and coach is entrusted with delivering the Club's philosophy. While every coach will bring their own personality, knowledge and coaching style, these must always align with the Club's ethos, values, policies and standards.

Managers and coaches are appointed to represent Gomersal & Cleckheaton FC. Where there is any conflict between an individual's personal approach and the Club's ethos, the Club's ethos will always take precedence.

At GCFC we believe that football must be:

• Safe
• Inclusive
• Enjoyable
• Development focused
• Respectful
• Community driven

Winning matches is important, but never at the expense of player welfare, enjoyment or long-term development.

Every decision must be made with one question in mind:

"Is this decision in the best interests of the players and consistent with the values of Gomersal & Cleckheaton FC"

CLUB VALUES IN ACTION

• Every player is treated fairly and with respect.
• Development is prioritised over short-term success.
• Decisions are explained openly and honestly.
• Parents are treated as partners, not opponents.
• Assistant coaches are included in planning and decision-making.
• Winning is celebrated, but never at the expense of sportsmanship, inclusion or player welfare.
• We coach one Club, not individual teams.

YOUR RESPONSIBILITIES

As a manager or coach you are expected to:

• Put players first in every decision.
• Act honestly, professionally and with integrity.
• Promote the values of Gomersal & Cleckheaton FC.
• Treat every player with dignity and respect.
• Encourage effort, teamwork and enjoyment.
• Work collaboratively with fellow coaches.
• Support the wider development of the Club.
• Comply with the Club's Constitution, policies and procedures.
• Accept that, as a volunteer, you are accountable to the Club and expected to work within its governance framework.

Managers and coaches represent the Club whenever they wear club clothing, attend fixtures or communicate with parents, players or officials.

PLAYER DEVELOPMENT

• Managers must:
• Focus on long-term player development rather than short-term results.
• Encourage every player regardless of ability.
• Promote confidence and enjoyment.
• Recognise effort and commitment as well as performance.
• Provide constructive feedback.
• Encourage respect for teammates, opponents and officials.
• Encourage appropriate playing opportunities for all players.
• Recognise that players develop at different rates.
• Selection decisions must always be fair, objective and in the best interests of both the individual player and the team.

TEAM MANAGEMENT

• Managers are responsible for:
• Registering eligible players.
• Ensuring league rules are followed.
• Organising fixtures and training.
• Preparing matchday squads.
• Maintaining player records where required.
• Ensuring players remain supervised throughout club activities.
• Promoting positive behaviour from players, parents and spectators.
• Managers must not knowingly allow ineligible players to participate in matches.

WORKING TOGETHER

GCFC is one club.

Managers are expected to work collaboratively across the Club and recognise that the success of GCFC is more important than the success of any individual team.:

• Work positively with assistant coaches.
• Share ideas and good practice.
• Support other age groups where appropriate.
• Respect decisions made by the Executive Committee.
• Raise concerns constructively through the appropriate channels.

Significant decisions affecting players must never be made in isolation where consultation is appropriate.

PLAYER MOVEMENT

• Any movement of players between teams must always be undertaken fairly, transparently and in accordance with Club procedures.
• Managers must not:
• Recruit players directly from another GCFC team without approval.
• Move players between teams without consultation.
• Make promises regarding future team selection or movement.

Any player movement must be based on the best interests of the player, be communicated appropriately and be approved in accordance with Club procedures.

COMMUNICATION

Managers are expected to communicate professionally with players and parents.

This includes:

• Providing fixture information promptly.
• Communicating cancellations as early as possible.
• Responding to reasonable enquiries.
• Setting clear expectations for behaviour and attendance.
• Maintaining respectful communication at all times.
• Responding to concerns professionally and respectfully, even where there is disagreement.

Managers must avoid discussing Club disputes on social media or within parent groups.

Concerns must always be raised through the appropriate Club procedures

MATCHDAYS

Managers are responsible for ensuring matches are conducted safely and professionally.

This includes:

• Arriving in sufficient time.
• Ensuring equipment is available.
• Completing league administration where required.
• Ensuring Respect barriers are used where appropriate.
• Promoting positive behaviour from players and spectators.
• Leaving facilities clean and tidy.

Managers must always demonstrate respect towards referees, opponents and league officials.

TRAINING SESSIONS

Managers must:

• Plan sessions appropriate to the age and ability of players.
• Ensure activities are safe.
• Maximise player involvement.
• Encourage enjoyment and participation.
• Finish sessions on time.
• Ensure all players are collected safely

EQUIPMENT

Managers are responsible for Club equipment issued to their team.

This includes:

• Match kit.
• Training balls.
• Bibs and cones.
• First aid kit.
• Respect barriers.
• Portable goals where applicable.

Any loss, damage or defects must be reported promptly

FINANCE

Managers play an important role in supporting the Club's financial governance.

Managers must:

• Encourage prompt payment of subscriptions.
• Follow the Financial Governance Policy.
• Never hold team funds in personal accounts.
• Ensure receipts are provided for authorised expenditure.
• Obtain approval before making purchases outside delegated authority.

All team funds belong to the Club and must be managed in accordance with Club procedures.

SAFEGUARDING

Safeguarding is everyone's responsibility.

Managers and coaches must:

• Hold an appropriate FA DBS.
• Complete required safeguarding training.
• Maintain appropriate coaching qualifications.
• Create an environment where players feel safe.
• Report concerns immediately to the Club Welfare Officer.
• Never investigate safeguarding concerns themselves.

The welfare of every child is always the Club's highest priority.

EQUALITY, DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION

Every player deserves the opportunity to participate.

Managers must:

• Treat everyone fairly.
• Challenge discrimination.
• Promote inclusion.
• Create welcoming environments for all participants.

No player must ever be disadvantaged because of age, ability, disability, gender, race, religion or any other protected characteristic.

SOCIAL MEDIA

Managers represent GCFC online as well as in person.

Managers must:

• Promote the Club positively.
• Never criticise players, parents, referees or volunteers publicly.
• Follow the Club's Digital Communication & Social Media Handbook and Privacy Notice.
• Ensure appropriate consent exists before sharing photographs.

CLUB CONTRIBUTION

Being a manager means contributing to the wider success of the Club. Managers are expected to:

• Attend Management Committee meetings where possible, or arrange suitable representation.
• Support Club events.
• Assist fundraising activities.
• Share ideas to improve the Club.
• Work collaboratively across age groups.
• Support new volunteers.

GCFC relies on volunteers working together for the benefit of all players.

CONTINUOUS DEVELOPMENT

Managers are encouraged to continually develop their coaching knowledge.

The Club will support volunteers through:

• FA coaching courses.
• Safeguarding updates.
• First Aid training.
• CPD opportunities.
• Mentoring and peer support.

CLUB OPERATING STANDARDS

Managers and coaches are expected to maintain high standards in the day-to-day operation of their team and to help protect the Club's facilities, equipment and reputation

MATCH DAYS

• Ensure goals are assembled, secured and checked before use.
• Ensure all equipment is removed and stored after use.
• Leave pitches, technical areas and changing rooms clean and tidy.
• Report damaged equipment or facilities promptly.

Facilities & Security

• Respect all Club facilities and venues.
• Ensure containers, changing rooms and other facilities are secured where responsibility has been delegated.
• Follow local venue operating arrangements.
• Report maintenance or safety concerns promptly.

EQUIPMENT

• Take reasonable care of all Club equipment.
• Store equipment securely.
• Ensure Club equipment is returned when requested or when leaving the Club.

Referees & Match Officials

• Treat all match officials with respect.
• Ensure referee fees are paid where applicable.
• Promote the FA Respect campaign and never encourage behaviour that undermines match officials.

Parents & Spectators

• Promote positive touchline behaviour.
• Encourage compliance with the Club's Code of Conduct.
• Challenge inappropriate behaviour appropriately and escalate concerns in accordance with the Respect & Conduct Procedure.

Detailed operational arrangements, including training allocations, pitch allocations, venue-specific guidance and seasonal operating instructions, are communicated separately by the Club and should be followed alongside this handbook.

STANDARDS OF BEHAVIOUR

Managers are expected to:

• Lead by example.
• Be punctual.
• Dress appropriately.
• Respect confidentiality.
• Demonstrate professionalism.
• Accept accountability for their actions.
• Accept constructive feedback.
• Support decisions made by the Club, even where personal views differ,

Failure to meet these standards may result in action under the Club's Complaints and Disciplinary Procedures.

SUPPORT

Managers are never expected to deal with challenges alone. Support is available from:

• Executive Committee
• Club Welfare Officer
• Facilities Manager
• Club Secretary
• Treasurer
• Age Group Leads
• Fellow Managers and Coaches

Please ask for help whenever you need it.

RELATED DOCUMENTS

This handbook must be read alongside:

• Club Constitution
• Governance Framework
• Roles & Responsibilities
• Volunteer Recruitment, Induction & Management Procedure
• Code of Conduct
• Financial Governance Policy
• Safeguarding Handbook
• Equality, Diversity & Inclusion Handbook
• Data Protection Handbook
• Digital Communication & Social Media Handbook
• Respect & Conduct Procedure

Thank you for everything you do to support Gomersal & Cleckheaton FC.

Great managers and coaches do far more than organise training sessions and matches. They inspire confidence, develop character, build lasting friendships and create memories that stay with players for life.

Thank you for helping us create a Club where every player can Play, Develop, Progress and Belong

USEFUL LINKS

As a club, we utilise digital communication where we can.

Please refer to gcfc.co.uk/information for polices, procedures and other useful information.