Club Policies

Garda Vetting and Safeguarding

To ensure the safety of our junior members we insist that all coaches and volunteers supporting and supervising children should complete safe recruitment checks, Garda Vetting and Safeguarding 1 training, plus any other checks the club has in line with the Children First Act 2015.

 This process is very straight forward, and the Club will help guide you through it.

Garda Vetting and Safeguarding course must be renewed ever 3 years.

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Code of Conduct

All volunteers, coaches, players and parents must agree to follow the Club’s Code of Conduct.

As part of your membership, you will be asked to read and agree to the club Code of Conduct relevant to you.

The Code of Conduct can also be found here.

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Communications

As a Football Club we need to be able to contact parents/guardians about matches, training, meetings etc. We have used different platforms like WhatsApp, text messages, email and other Apps.

However, as of the 25th of May 2018, EU regulation called General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) replaced existing data protection legislation.

To comply with this the club has moved all team communications to the Club Zap App.

All coaches must use this App to communicate with the parents of underage players. No direct communication with youth players is allowed.

The Rules

It is against rules to post comments that are or maybe perceived as:

• Offensive;
• Insulting;
• Abusive;
• Threatening;
• Racist;
• Discriminatory;
• Any other reference that may cause offensive or harm to others;
• Being sent offensive or otherwise inappropriate material;
• Information about specific events or meetings e.g. coaching sessions must not be distributed to any individuals other than to those directly concerned;

Texts and emails

Howth Celtic AFC follow the general principle is that all communications with children should be open, transparent, and appropriate.

No Club coaches or volunteers are permitted to communicate with youth players under the age of 18 via text or email. This is as much about the safety of the adult as the child.

There is a risk that a communication may be misinterpreted, which might result in potential investigation (internal or by statutory agencies) and potential disciplinary action.

Reminder: Garda Vetting and Safeguarding course must be renewed ever 3 years.

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Social Media

Social Media has become a hugely important means for the Club to engage and communicate with its members and the surrounding community. Howth Celtic recognises that we need to safeguard our members both on and off the pitch and this includes the use of electronic communications.

In accordance with the FAI social media Policy, Howth Celtic AFC has put in place this policy document. Its purpose is to establish best practice and guiding principles for the running of all social media platforms controlled by the Club.

The Rules

It is against rules to post comments that are or maybe perceived as:

• Offensive;
• Insulting;
• Abusive;
• Threatening;
• Racist;
• Discriminatory;
• Any other reference that may cause offensive or harm to others;
• Being sent offensive or otherwise inappropriate material;
• To publish Information that includes personal information that could identify a child e.g. home address, email address, telephone number of a child;
• Children must never be portrayed in a demeaning, tasteless or a provocative manner;

Any such comment made on Club-controlled websites and/or social media sites regarding match officials may result in disciplinary action being taken in line with The FAI’s disciplinary policies and procedures.

Comments made on websites that are threatening, abusive or racist could lead to legal action being taken against those responsible for posting or hosting them.

Comments made may attract libel claims and legal action through the civil courts if they are untrue or defamatory.

We advise children and young people to always tell an adult they trust about communications that make them feel uncomfortable or where they’ve been asked not to tell their parent/ carer about the communication.

Safe Use of Images of U18 Players

From time to time, Club members may be photographed or filmed whilst participating in football. This could be for one of the following reasons:

• Video footage for performance development;
• Media coverage of an event or achievement;
• Promotional purposes (e.g. website or publication);

The Rules

• No unsupervised access or one-to-one photography or video sessions will be allowed unless this has been explicitly agreed with the child and their parents/carers;
• All photographic / videoing equipment must be switched off prior to going into changing rooms;
• No photographing or filming will be permitted in changing areas, bathrooms or sleeping areas;
• All images and accompanying information will ensure only appropriate personal details are shared publicly;
• When seeking to create action images try to focus on the activity rather than the individual;
• When seeking celebration images try to take group images rather than individual images;
• Ensure all those featured are appropriately dressed (a minimum of shirt and shorts);
• Published images that include personal information that could identify a child e.g. home address, email address, telephone number of a child;
• Children must never be portrayed in a demeaning, tasteless or a provocative manner;
• Images will not be shared with external agencies unless express permission is obtained from the child and their parents/carers;

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Equality & Inclusion

Howth Celtic AFC are fully committed to ensuring that everyone can take part in football across the local community in an enjoyable, friendly, safe and inclusive environment. The Club believe that everyone should have the opportunity to be part of the football family, regardless of difference, and we are working hard to ensure that this is a reality.

Our Equality Policy below confirms our clear commitment to equality and that we will take firm action if required against anyone who behaves in a way that is discriminatory.

Policy Statement

Howth Celtic AFC endorses the principle of sports equality and will strive to ensure that everyone who wishes can be involved in football at the Club, whether as participants, team members, volunteers, coaches, referees, or as office-bearers.

We will ensure that everyone involved in football:

• Has a genuine and equal opportunity to participate to the full extent of their own ambitions and abilities, without regard to their age, sex, gender identity, disability, marital or civil partnership status, pregnancy or maternity, religion, race or ethnicity or sexual orientation.
• Can be assured of an environment in which their rights, dignity and individual worth are respected, and that they are able to enjoy football without the threat of intimidation, victimisation, harassment or abuse.

Howth Celtic AFC is committed to avoiding and eliminating unfair discrimination of any kind in football and will under no circumstances condone unlawful discriminatory practices. The organisation takes a zero-tolerance approach to harassment.

Forms of discrimination and discriminatory behaviour include the following:

Direct discrimination

Direct discrimination can be described as less favourable treatment on the grounds of one of the protected characteristics.

Indirect discrimination

Indirect discrimination occurs when a provision, criterion or practice is applied to an individual or group that would put persons of a particular characteristic at a particular disadvantage compared with other persons.

Discrimination arising from disability

When a disabled person is treated unfavourably because of something connected with their disability and this unfavourable treatment cannot be justified, this is unlawful. This type of discrimination only relates to disability.

Harassment

Harassment is defined as unwanted conduct relating to a protected characteristic that has the purpose or effect of violating a person’s dignity, or which creates an intimidating or hostile, degrading, humiliating or offensive environment for that person.

Victimisation

It is unlawful to treat a person less favourably because he or she has made allegations or brought proceedings under the anti-discrimination legislation, or because they have helped another person to do so. To do so would constitute victimisation.

Bullying

Bullying is defined as a form of personal harassment involving the misuse of power, influence, or position to persistently criticise, humiliate or undermine an individual.

Our Equality & Inclusion Policy confirms Howth Celtic AFC clear commitment to equality and that we will take firm action if required against anyone who behaves in a way that is discriminatory.

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Safe Practice

Leaders working directly with juniors should be prepared with an action plan in the event of an emergency and be aware of First Aid procedures. This will include:

• A players Parents/Guardians should be notified of any injuries that occur during training or matches.
• A players Parents/Guardians should be informed of the start and finishing times of all training and matches.
• Coaches must have access to First Aid equipment.
• Emergency telephone contact if the participant is a minor.
• Being aware of telephone contact details for the Emergency Services.

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Football Kits

Football boots and shin guards are mandatory at all matches; these must be supplied by the parents/guardians.

All club kit like shorts, socks and training gear can be bought from the Club’s online shop.

The Team managers will provide the jerseys on match day.

Club colours are black and white striped jersey, black shorts, and red socks.

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