The document provides guidelines for young football players on respect, conduct, nutrition, and academy registration requirements. It emphasizes respecting referees, teammates, opponents, and the game. Players are expected to play fairly, encourage others, and enjoy themselves. Their diet should include complex carbohydrates, protein, vitamins, minerals, and water to support training and performance. Academies have requirements around the number of registered players, trial periods, educational programs, technical sessions, and games provided each season.
1. GUIDELINES FOR A FUTURE PRO PLAYER Communicating the Respect message to young players
2. RESPECT SLOGAN R eferee is in charge E ncourage team-mates S hout, but don’t criticise P lay fairly E njoy the game C aptain only speaks to the referee T ry, whatever the score
3. RESPECT CODE OF CONDUCT YOUNG PLAYERS We all have a responsibility to promote high standards of behavior in the game. As a player, you have a big part to play. That’s why The FA is asking every player to follow a Respect Code of Conduct.
4. WHEN PLAYING FOOTBALL, I WILL: Always play to the best of my ability. Play fairly – I won’t cheat, complain or waste time. Respect my team-mates, the other team, the referee or my coach/manager. Play by the rules, as directed by the referee. Shake hands with the other team and referee at the end of the game. Listen and respond to what my coach/ team manager tells me. Talk to someone I trust or the club welfare officer if I’m unhappy about anything at my club.
5. I understand that if I do not follow the Code, any/all of the following actions may be taken by my club, County FA or The FA. I may: Be required to apologise to my team-mates, the other team, referee or team manager Receive a formal warning from the coach or the club committee. Be dropped or substituted Be suspended from training Be required to leave the club. In addition: My club, County FA or The FA may make my parent or carer aware of any infringements of the Code of Conduct. The FA/County FA could impose a fine and suspension against my club.
6. RESPECT CODE OF CONDUCT ADULT PLAYERS We all have a responsibility to promote high standards of behaviourin the game. Players tell us they want a referee for every match, yet 7,000 match officials drop out each season because of the abuse and intimidation they receive on and off the pitch. Respect your referee today and you may just get one for every match this season. Play your part and observe The FA’s Respect Code of Conduct for players at all times.
7. ON AND OFF THE FIELD, I WILL: Adhere to the Laws of The Game. Display and promote high standards of behaviour. Promote Fair Play. Always respect the match officials’ decisions. Never engage in public criticism of the match officials. Never engage in offensive, insulting or abusive language or behaviour. Never engage in bullying, intimidation or harassment. Speak to my team-mates, the opposition and my coach/manager with respect. Remember we all make mistakes win or lose with dignity. Shake hands with the opposing team and the referee at the end of every game.
8. I understand that if I do not follow the Code, any/all of the following actions may be taken by my club, County FA or The FA. I may: Be required to apologise to team-mates, the other team, referee or team manager. Receive a warning from the coach. Receive a written warning from the club committee. Be required to attend an FA education course Be dropped or substituted. Be suspended from training. Not be selected for the team. Be required to serve a suspension. Be fined. Be required to leave the club. In addition: The FA/County FA could impose a fine and/or suspension on the club.
9. GET INTO FOOTBALL Get into Football is The FA's first campaign aimed at promoting our football development initiatives to all children and parents. As the guardians of the game, it is The FA's role is to ensure there are opportunities for all to play the game and also engage people at all levels in off-the-field roles. It's about doing things properly. About making sure everyone has a chance to be involved in football, regardless of ability, race, religion or background. About encouraging and increasing the involvement of groups at all levels of football by recognising that inequalities exist and taking steps to address them. It's about making opportunities available where currently they are limited. It is the work of our 270 football development officers locally that helps us to deliver our objectives of football for all. Wherever you live, football in your region is governed by your County Football Association and each has its own football development department whose job it is to develop local opportunities. They are there on the other end of the phone or e-mail to support you to get into football. Other useful link: http://www.thefa.com/GetIntoFootball/Players.aspx
10. REGISTRATION Academies may register the following maximum numbers: Under 9 – Under 12 – 40 players per year band Under 13 – Under 14 – 30 players per year band Under 15 – Under 16 – 20 players per year band (Until the end of the 1999/2000 season, any player signed as an Associate Schoolboy are included in this number.) Under 17 – Under 21 – 15 players per year band
11. Clubs must adhere to a one hour travelling time to the Academy for ages Under 9 years to Under 13. For age ranges Under 13 to Under 16, this is increased to 1.5 hours. A six week trial period is allowed for unregistered players from Under 9 to Under 16 years of age. Trials are not permitted for registered players at other clubs operating Football Academies or Centres of Excellence. Between Under 9 and Under 12 registration will be annual. From the player’s twelfth birthday, the player must sign for a minimum of two years. From the player’s fourteenth birthday, the player must sign until the end of the Under 16 season. At any time, on or after the player’s twelfth birthday, with the parents’ consent, the club may extend the registration until the end of the Under 16 season.
12. After the player’s fourteenth birthday, the club may offer the player a Scholarship for the Academy from 16–19 years with a two-year option until 21 years of age, held by the club. Such offers to be mutually respected by all participating clubs and incorporated into FA Premier League and Football League rules. Any time after a player’s 17th birthday, a player may sign a professional contract but is required to continue the required educational and technical programmes until the end of the season of his 21st birthday. In the season of the player’s 19th birthday, the Club must inform the player by 30th September whether he is to be retained at the end of the season. Between 16–19 years of age, the player will receive an agreed annual salary and, in addition, a provision will be made to recognisethe player’s progress (e.g. appearance bonus for its team football). From 19–21 an agreed minimum annual salary will be paid if either party fails to reach an agreement.
13. Players to be informed in writing by 3rd Saturday in April in the season where registration ceases whether they are to be retained or released. A club may not approach, directly or indirectly, any player registered with another Centre of Excellence or Football Academy. A player is not entitled to be coached by a club operating a Football Academy or to participate in games, tours or tournaments, unless the player is signed on Football Academy forms (or subject to a six-week trial process). Academies may de-register players by mutual consent any time after 12 years of age. Academies are required to notify in writing to the player and his parents the rules and guidelines concerning Academies with regard to: registration, welfare, educational needs, priority and objectives. This process to be repeated on each occasion a boy signs a Registration Form.
14. TECHNICAL REQUIREMENTS Minimum number of hours to be provided within the season per week excluding games: Under 9–11 yrs. – not less than 3 hrs. (2 sessions) Under 12–16 yrs. – not less than 5 hrs. (3 sessions) Under 17–21 yrs.* – not less than 12 hrs. (*not applicable to players in the club’s first team squad) The Football Academy Director to ensure the following games are provided: Under 9–11 yrs. – Min. 24/Max. 30 – all small-sided Under 12–16 yrs. – Min. 24/Max. 30 Under 15–16 – Min. 24/Max. 36 (including international games) It is a condition of a player’s registration with a Football Academy that the player commits himself to a maximum number of all games for all teamsforthe season as follows: Under 9–11 – Max. 30 (all small-sided games) Under 12–16 – Max. 30 The Academy Director is required to ensure that the minimum number of games are: Under 9–11 – Min. 24 (all small-sided games) Under 12–16 – Min. 24 Football Academies may not affiliate teams to any other Youth Leagues.
15. LEARNING PROGRAMME Academies to provide a Broad Learning Programme regarding Technical and Academic outcomes as agreed by The Football Association. The Learning Programme to incorporate annual Technical and Academic goals, review and feedback. A simple written reporting system to be provided to players and parents, and head teachers whilst in full time education, as a minimum twice a year, regarding players’ progress towards agreed goals, technical and academic.
16. PLAYER’S DIET Here’s a fact: young footballers can have all the skills in the world but without the proper nutritional support, they won’t be as fit as they could be and their performances will suffer. They won’t be able to train as hard or as long, so won’t improve their play, and during games run the risk of getting tired. How they perform during games and training depends on what they eat and drink before, during and after each match or session. If they eat and drink the right stuff, they will improve. Follow our advice and they’ll be a bundle of energy out on the pitch! Let’s look at the essential nutrients young footballers need to be eating, and the foods they’re found in. http://www.thefa.com/GetIntoFootball/Players/FoodForFootball.aspx
18. SNACK ATTACK Snack Attack! These snacks are high in carbohydrate but low in fat: Banana, jam or honey sandwiches Muesli bars or sweetened popcorn Fruit cake, currant buns, scones, American muffins Crumpets, bagels, English muffins, scotch pancakes Pop Tarts, rusks and cereal Jelly cubes Jaffa cakes, wine gums, jelly babies Low fat rice pudding, bread pudding Yoghurts and milkshakes Fruit and dried fruit
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If you have under-16 players at your club, then please note that there is a Code of Conduct for Young Players. This differs from the Adult Players’ Code of Conduct in language and tone to ensure it is easy to understand.You will need to ask these players to sign the Code of Conduct before the start of the season. We have suggested all players sign up to the same form to show that it’s a team effort as well as an individual promise.You will need to ask these players to sign the Code of Conduct before the start of the season. We have suggested all players sign up to the same form to show that it’s a team effort as well as an individual promise.
Help them understand it’s about making everyone responsible for their individual actions and ensuring they not only respect others, but respect the game of football itself.
Study: • Homework and study area for a minimum of 40 young players.Parents: • Parents Lounge*.
Footballers need increased energy to gain that extra edge, and that’s most commonly found in carbohydrate. Now, in a healthy diet, 55-60% of it should come from carbohydrate, but for footballers, it’s even higher - as much as 70%!Of course, players need other nutrients too and it’s not easy to get the perfect intake of carbohydrate from eating a regular three meals a day. The way to do it is by snacking - snacks play a crucial role in a player’s diet, especially if eaten immediately after training or a match. That’s when the energy stores in the muscles which have just been working are best refuelled.
