The Grassroots Code for Youth Football

Enjoy the Game

We’re here to enjoy ourselves…win, lose or draw. To help make football more enjoyable for all I should: 

• Remember that football is about enjoyment, not just winning. 
• Encourage others and behave well. 
• Bring a positive attitude to training and matches. 
• Recognise when my team-mates give respect, work together, or try their best.

Give Respect 

We always treat others as we’d like to be treated. To give respect at football I must: 

• Always use respectful language and actions. 
• Not argue with the referee, coach, and officials, and accept their decisions about football and my behaviour. 
• Show fair play by shaking hands with our opponents whether we win, lose or draw. 
• Tidy up after myself and take care of the facilities we use.

Be Inclusive

We embrace our differences, football is a game for everyone. To be inclusive at football I must: 

• Welcome everyone, whoever they are and whatever their background or ability. 
• Involve everyone and always be kind. 
• Treat everyone fairly and tell a trusted adult if this doesn’t happen. 
• Celebrate everyone’s good play, effort and success.

Work Together

We’re a team, on and off the pitch. To help us bond as a team I should: 

• Encourage my team-mates if they make a mistake. 
• Try my best and help my team, by being positive and supportive. 
• Play fairly, without cheating, diving, complaining, or wasting time. 
• Accept that I may not be able to play in my favourite position all the time, or that I may need to take a break to give someone else playing time. 
• Recognise that if I’m the Captain, I need to try hard to set a positive example for others to follow.

Play Safe

We all have a role in safeguarding children. To help keep everyone safe I must: 

• Remember football is about making friends, learning new skills and of course, being active! 
• Take responsibility, encourage others, and keep it positive. 
• Know that I have a right:
  •  To feel safe online and offline. 
  •  To have healthy relationships with appropriate boundaries. 
  •  Not to feel uncomfortable or unsafe. 
  • Not to be bullied, harassed, or intimidated. 
  • Not to be treated unfairly. 

If this doesn’t sound like your football experience, speak to an adult you trust.

If I DON'T live up to the Standard

I understand that my Club, League or County FA may take action, that could include: 

• Giving me a verbal warning. 
• Inviting me to a meeting to explain my behaviour. 
• Warning me about my behaviour. 
• Asking that I complete an FA education course. 
• Suspending me, meaning I do not take part in games for a period of time. 
• Removing my registration, meaning I can’t play for my team again. 
• Fining and/or suspending my Club.

The Grassroots Code for Adults in Youth Football

Enjoy the Game

We’re here to enjoy ourselves…win, lose or draw. To help make football more enjoyable for all I should: 

• Come to training and matches with a positive attitude and put the well-being of children first. 
• Recognise examples of respect, effort and good play, as well as achievement. 
• Appreciate grassroots football should be about children playing and having fun, not solely about results.

Give Respect

We always treat others as we’d like to be treated. To give respect at football I must: 

• Always use respectful and positive language and actions. 
• Not argue with the referee, coach, and officials, and accept their decisions. 
• Avoid coaching from the sidelines as a spectator, recognising this is likely to cause uncertainty and confusion across the team. 
• Encourage children to show fair play by shaking hands with opponents and being kind, whether we win or lose. 
• Stay in designated spectator or technical areas. 
• Tidy up after myself and take care of the facilities we use.

Be Inclusive 

We embrace our differences, football is a game for everyone. To be inclusive at football I must: 

• Show zero tolerance for discrimination of any kind. 
• Report anything that concerns me via the relevant channel. 
• Treat people based on their character, and nothing else. 
• Accept that we all bring our own personal perspectives to the game. 
• Not exclude anyone because of background or personal characteristics. 
• Strive to give fair playing time to all children.

Work Together

We’re a team, on and off the pitch. To help us bond as a team I should: 

• Remember we are ‘one team’ helping young people enjoy football. 
• Encourage players and celebrate their effort. 
• Avoid criticising players if they make a mistake. 
• Discourage cheating, complaining and time wasting from everyone. 
• Accept that my child may not always be able to play in their favourite position, or may need to make a break to give someone else playing time.

Play Safe

We all have a role in safeguarding young people and vulnerable adults. To keep everyone safe I must: 

• Accept it is my responsibility to know if my role in football places me in a position of trust. 
• Speak to my Club or League Designated Safeguarding Officer if I am unsure whether I am in a position of trust. 
• Understand appropriate boundaries must be in place, both online and during face-to-face activity. 
• Let a Club Official know if I see anything that looks unsafe. 
• Be aware of who the first aiders are, and where the nearest Automatic External Defibrillator is located. 
• Keep appropriate boundaries by: 
  • Always putting the well-being of children first. 
  • Being friendly but professional. 
  • Encouraging children to review their own progress. 
  • Raising concerns about a child to the Club Welfare Officer if they display behaviour not usual to them or which causes concern. 
• Follow the ‘Physical contact and young people: Guidance for grassroots football’ guidelines. If my role requires physical contact with a child, I will: 
  • Ask the child’s permission and explain the type of, and reason for the physical contact. 
  • Keep physical contact to skill development, first aid, harm prevention or celebration of success or comfort in times of distress. 
  • Ensure another responsible adult is present for the duration. 
  • Remember physical touch should be culturally sensitive to a child. 
  • Not participate in training, warm up or cool down sessions with children (including my own) to protect them from accidental physical harm.

If I DON'T live up to Standard

I understand that my club, League, County FA or The FA may take action, that could include: 

• Giving me a verbal warning. 
• Asking me to meet with the Club, League or CFA Designated Safeguarding Officer. 
• Asking me to meet with the Club Committee. 
• Asking that I complete an FA education course. 
• Asking that I leave the match venue. 
• Requesting that I do not attend future games. 
• Suspending me or removing my Club membership. 
• Fining me. 
• Fining and/or suspending my Club. 

About Referees, Assistant Referees and Match Officials: 

The FA believes that all Match Officials should be able to officiate free from the threat of violence or intimidation. Any threatening behaviour or physical contact on a Match Official will result in a lengthy exclusion from football and possibly a criminal prosecution.