Healthy Club Policy

Following of from our change of name in January 2006, the Nedlands Football Club has determined to ensure a positive image in the community, inter alia by taking steps to develop policies that promote healthy behaviour.

Nedlands Football Club promotes a healthy lifestyle to all its members: players / managers / coaches / parents, and fully supports the provision of healthy environments. The following Health Policy has been developed with those and other factors in mind, and will be reviewed from time to time accordingly.

• The Healthy Club signage will be displayed at all training sessions and where possible at home games.
• A copy of the Healthy Club Policy will be made available to all people when they register with the Club, and will be displayed on the Club notice board.
• Players, club officials and family members are expected to follow the principles of the Healthy Club Policy and to assist with its implementation.

SMOKING

NFC recognizes that smoke free environments protect on-smokers from harmful effects of Environment Tobacco Smoke and contribute to reducing tobacco and consumption levels
The Club has adopted a policy that all Club functions will be smoke free.  Spectators are also discouraged from smoking.
Appropriate 'no smoking' signage will be displayed at all Club functions.
Parents, coaches and other spectators are discouraged from smoking while watching training and games due to the dangers of passive smoking and the importance of non-smoking role models.
No sponsorship will be accepted that promotes tobacco use.
NFC will encourage quitting attempts and discourage the uptake of smoking particularly by young people.


DRINKS AND ALCOHOL

A person nominated by the team manager should bring an additional supply of water to each training session and match for the use of any player as needed.
No alcohol will be used for player prizes / awards.
No sponsorship will be accepted which promotes alcohol.
Where alcohol is served or brought by parents/adults to club functions such as the end of year wind up, the Club encourages a responsible drinking / hosting / serving alcohol policy.


SUN PROTECTION

The Club recognizes the adverse effect of both cumulative and acute sun exposure and accordingly sun protection is a component of our Healthy Club Policy.
Portable shade structures will be available for club officials and spectators at the home ground during fine days in the autumn and spring seasons.
The Club will provide / sell or make available sunscreen to members, participants and spectators.  All kitbags will include sunscreen.
The Club encourages all coaches, players and spectators to be sun smart e.g. wear hats and sunscreen.
Players on the substitution bench should wear hats on fine days while waiting their turn on the field.
To this end NFC has introduced a Club hat for all players / coaches / managers / parents.


NUTRITION

NFC understands and recognizes the importance of good nutrition and the role that it plays in maintaining health
At Club functions, water and fruit juice alternatives to soft drinks will be available.
Managers are encouraged to develop a roster so that oranges are supplied for all team members at matches.
The Club will ensure that healthy foods are available at all Club functions.


SPORT SAFE CLUB CHECKLIST (ALL)

All people associated with the club have a responsibility to promote a sport safe environment:
Players should obey the rules, regulations and code of conduct.
Coaches should provide advice on skill development, encourage fair play and safe warm up, stretching and cool down procedures.
Referees should enforce the rules of the game and check the field and playing environment for obstacles or damage that could cause injury to players, and receive the utmost support from the Club.
Parents should be aware of the Club’s Safety Policy and guidelines and encourage safe play and conduct.
The Club encourages club members and associated to attend training in sports injury prevention and treatment.
To help prevent injury, all players wear shin pads and appropriate boots at both training and matches.  Coaches enforce this rule.
Swinging from goal posts is dangerous and should not occur.  All club coaches and club officials should discourage this from occurring and ensure that children seen climbing on goal posts are told to desist with an explanation as to why.
Coaches should commence each training and pre-match session with warm-up exercises and stretches.  Cool down sessions after training and games are encouraged.
The Club works with City of Nedlands Council to improve the safety of the environment immediate to the playing fields.  At the current time, all coaches of junior teams have taught children to know to never run onto the road to chase a ball.  Assistance from parents and adult spectators in fetching balls is encouraged.
First Aid Kits are taken to each training session and all matches.  It is recommended that one person associated with each team (i.e. manager, coach or a parent) should attend First Aid training and the Club will provide financial assistance with the costs of approved training.
In 2006, the club will investigate and implement a system of recording and reporting of those injuries which are not considered to be minor using the Sport Medicine Australia Injury Prevention form.


SPORT SAFE CLUB CHECKLIST (PLAYERS)

At the time of registration players are asked to report any significant medical conditions.  This information is passed on to the team manager and coach and is treated as confidential.
The Club has developed a policy on administration of medications so that managers and coaches are aware of this at the time of preseason induction.
Players who are ill, feverish or convalescing from illness should not participate until recovered.
Players suffering from a concussion / head injury that resulted in loss of consciousness must be advised to seek medical assessment and produce a medical clearance before returning to play.
Coaches and managers ensure that children are not left on their own at the conclusion of training if parents have failed to arrive.  The Club has listed mobile phone numbers and emergency contact numbers from all players at the time of registration.
Emergency contact numbers and location for doctor / hospital / dental services close to Nedlands home grounds have been made available to all Club officials and will be included in all kit bags.


SPORT SAFE CLUB CHECKLIST (COACHES)

All coaches, players, officials and parents are expected to read and abide by the relevant code of conduct.  Swearing is not permitted under the rules.
Coaches are encouraged to attend approved education courses and seek accreditation and they may make application to the Club for reimbursement of approved courses.
Coaches should encourage fluid replacement as per the drink up / fluid replacement information distributed in the coaches and manager manual.
Coaches are encouraged to develop sportsmanship and soccer skills.

Coaches should:
 
Stay calm under pressure;
Be well organized and look the part;
Ensure all players are involved in training and games;
Be patient, kind and understanding;
Establish standards and discipline;
Praise effort and offer encouragement;
Ensure that learning and playing are fun.


CLUB CODE

Players are encouraged to take responsibility for their own health and safety and to look out for that of others.
Players are expected to try their best, cooperate with other players and the coach, learn from mistakes, show persistence in improving skills, and learn to win and lose graciously.

Endorsed by the Nedlands Football Club Committee

Date:  9/8/2006            Due for revision consideration:  August 2008