Parents & Players

Welcome

This handbook is here to help players, parents and carers understand what to expect as part of the club. From training and match days to communication, payments, behaviour and safeguarding, we want everything to be as clear and easy as possible.

Grassroots football works best when players, coaches, parents and volunteers all work together. Thank you for being part of Southside Star and for helping us create a positive, supportive environment for every child.

Communication

Our main communication platform is Spond. It's where parents and carers receive training details, match information, availability requests, payment information and team updates. Please respond to availability requests as soon as you can, so managers can plan training and matches effectively.

Some teams also use WhatsApp groups for reminders and practical updates. These should always be used respectfully, and never to raise complaints or to criticise players, coaches, referees or other parents. If you have a concern, please speak to your team manager privately or contact the club. Our approach follows the Club Complaints Procedure, the Photo, Video and Social Media Policy and the Respect Code of Conduct for Spectators & Parents, all on our Club Documents page.

Training

Players should arrive on time, ready to train and with the right equipment. Please make sure your child has:

Suitable football boots or trainers for the surface
Shin pads
A drink
Weather-appropriate clothing
Any medication they may need, such as an inhaler

If your child can't attend training, please let the team manager know as early as possible. For younger age groups, parents and carers may be asked to stay nearby during sessions. Players are expected to follow the Respect Code of Conduct for Youth Players at all sessions.

Match days

Match days should be a positive experience for every player. Players should arrive at the time their manager requests, in the correct kit and ready to warm up with their team. Parents and carers play a huge part in creating the right environment: please support all players positively, respect the referee and opposition, and let the coaches coach.

We ask parents and spectators to:

Encourage effort, teamwork and a good attitude
Respect referees, coaches, players and opposition supporters
Avoid shouting instructions from the sidelines
Stay behind the respect barrier or in the designated spectator area
Help with match-day tasks where needed
Remember that development and enjoyment matter more than the scoreline

Our Team Selection and Playing Time Policy explains how managers make decisions on squads, positions and playing time.

Payments and membership

Club membership is charged as an annual fee, split into monthly instalments to make it easier for families, and handled through Spond. Membership helps cover the cost of running the club: pitch hire, league fees, insurance, equipment, referee fees, affiliation, training facilities and other essentials.

As many of these costs are committed at the start of the season, players leaving partway through the year may still have outstanding fees to pay in line with the club's terms. If you're finding payments difficult, please contact the club as early as you can so we can talk it through privately and sensitively. Full details are in the Payment and Subscription Policy on our Club Documents page.

Player expectations

We ask all Southside Star players to:

Try their best
Listen to their coaches
Support their teammates
Respect referees, opponents and spectators
Be kind and inclusive
Attend training and matches where possible
Wear the correct kit and equipment
Represent the club positively
Enjoy their football

Every player has a part to play in making Southside Star a welcoming, positive club. Bullying or unkind behaviour is dealt with in line with our Anti-Bullying Policy.

Parent and carer expectations

Parents and carers are a huge part of grassroots football, and your support makes a real difference. We ask all parents and carers to:

Encourage all players positively
Respect coaches, referees, opponents and other spectators
Avoid shouting instructions from the sidelines
Support the team manager and volunteers
Raise any concerns calmly and privately
Use club communication channels appropriately
Help create a safe and enjoyable environment for every child

Please remember our coaches and committee are volunteers giving their time for the players. We ask everyone to follow the Respect Code of Conduct for Spectators & Parents.

Kit and equipment

Players should wear suitable clothing and footwear for training and matches. Everyone must wear shin pads, and micro shin pads aren't permitted. Players should bring a drink and any medication they need.

For safety, jewellery shouldn't be worn during football, and long hair should be tied back. Match-day kit is provided by the club, with most team kits generously supplied by our sponsors. This kit remains club property and must be returned when the team manager or committee asks. Your team manager will confirm kit requirements for each age group.

Official club shop Order extra Southside Star training gear, leisurewear and accessories from our teamwear partner, Penguin Pro.

Attendance and availability

Please keep your child's availability up to date on Spond. We know families are busy and children will miss the odd session or match, but keeping availability current helps managers plan training, arrange fixtures and make selections fairly. If your child is injured, unwell, away or unable to attend, let the team manager know as soon as you can.

Injuries, illness and medical information

Please keep your child's medical and emergency contact information up to date through Spond. If your child has an injury, illness or medical condition that may affect them taking part, tell the team manager. Children shouldn't attend training or matches if they're unwell or can't take part safely. If your child needs medication, such as an inhaler, please make sure they bring it and the manager knows. We handle medical and welfare information sensitively, in line with our Club Safeguarding Policy.

Safeguarding and welfare

The safety and wellbeing of every child comes first. We have a dedicated Club Welfare Officer and clear procedures for keeping children safe. If you ever have a concern about a child, please raise it, and in an emergency call 999. There's much more detail, including how to report a concern and who to contact, on our Safeguarding page.

Respect and behaviour

We expect everyone connected with the club, players, parents, carers, coaches, volunteers and spectators, to behave respectfully. Abusive, aggressive or inappropriate behaviour towards players, referees, coaches, opposition teams or other spectators won't be accepted. We want every child to enjoy football in a safe, positive and supportive environment.

Everyone should follow the relevant Respect Codes of Conduct, and concerns about coach behaviour follow our Coach Behaviour and Discipline policy. All of these are on our Club Documents page.

We know parents love to capture their children playing. Please follow our Photo, Video and Social Media Policy so images of children are only taken and shared appropriately, and never in a way that could put a child at risk. If you'd prefer your child not to appear in club photos, let their coach or the Club Welfare Officer know. There's more on our Safeguarding page.

Raising a concern

If you have a concern about team matters, please raise it with your team manager, calmly and privately. It's best not to raise things straight after a match or training, as a short cooling-off period often helps the conversation go better. For any safeguarding or welfare concern, contact our Club Welfare Officer. A formal complaints process is set out in our Club Complaints Procedure. See our Safeguarding page for who to contact.

How parents can help

Grassroots football relies on volunteers, and even small amounts of help make a big difference. Parents and carers can support the club by:

Helping set up or pack away goals and equipment
Running the line when needed
Supporting fundraising events
Helping at tournaments or presentation events
Volunteering with team admin
Joining the committee
Becoming an assistant coach or parent helper

If you'd like to get involved, speak to your team manager, register as a volunteer or contact the club. Depending on the role, helpers may be asked to complete appropriate checks or training, and all volunteers follow our safeguarding procedures and codes of conduct.

Your guide to life at the club