Code of Conduct

Our Commitment to Respect

When joining Next Pro Elites, all players, parents, guardians and spectators are expected to follow our Code of Conduct and respect the values and philosophy of our academy.

At Next Pro Elites, we believe football should be played in a safe, positive, respectful, fun and inclusive environment.

Respect is not simply a word or a slogan. It is a shared responsibility. Everyone involved in football has a role to play in maintaining high standards of behaviour both on and off the pitch.

What Respect Means

Respect at Next Pro Elites means:

Recognising that the integrity and enjoyment of football are more important than the result.
Treating everyone involved in the game with dignity and respect.
Understanding the difference between acceptable and unacceptable behaviour.
Taking responsibility for your own actions and behaviour.
Supporting coaches, referees and other football officials in their roles.
Encouraging players rather than criticising or intimidating them.
Creating an environment where children and young people feel safe, confident and included.
Showing respect to teammates, opponents, coaches, officials, parents and spectators.
Understanding that everyone has a responsibility to make football a positive experience.

The following Code of Conduct sets out the standards of behaviour expected from everyone involved with Next Pro Elites. Failure to follow these standards may result in appropriate action being taken.

Next Pro Elites Players — Code of Conduct

When participating in football, I will:

Play fairly and honestly.
Follow the rules of the game and the instructions of my coach.
Respect my teammates, opponents, coaches, referees and other officials.
Treat everyone fairly regardless of their ability, background, gender, race, religion or any other characteristic.
Never deliberately cheat, intimidate, bully or attempt to harm another player.
Avoid arguing with referees or challenging their decisions.
Accept decisions made by coaches and officials respectfully.
Be gracious in both victory and defeat.
Encourage my teammates and never deliberately put them down.
Listen to my coach and respond positively to coaching and feedback.
Work hard and give my best effort during training and matches.
Respect the facilities, equipment and venues used by Next Pro Elites.
Shake hands or show appropriate respect to opponents and officials after matches where appropriate.
Represent Next Pro Elites positively both on and off the pitch.
Speak to a trusted adult, coach or member of the Next Pro Elites safeguarding team if I am unhappy, worried or concerned about anything.

If I do not follow this Code of Conduct:

Next Pro Elites may take appropriate action depending on the seriousness and circumstances of the behaviour.

This may include:

Being asked to apologise to teammates, coaches, opponents or other individuals.
Receiving a verbal or formal warning.
Being removed from a particular training activity or game scenario.
Being asked to leave a training session.
Parents or guardians being informed of the behaviour.
Being temporarily suspended from training or matches.
Being required to meet with a parent/guardian and a member of the Next Pro Elites coaching or management team.
In serious or repeated cases, having my place at Next Pro Elites suspended or terminated.
Where appropriate, serious matters may be referred to the relevant football governing body or safeguarding authority.

Next Pro Elites Parents, Guardians & Spectators — Code of Conduct

Parents, guardians and spectators have an important role in creating a positive football environment.

Children and young people learn from the behaviour of the adults around them. We therefore expect all parents, guardians and spectators to set a positive example at every Next Pro Elites session, match, event and activity.

As a parent, guardian or spectator, I will:

Remember that children participate in football primarily for enjoyment, learning and development.
Encourage effort, improvement, teamwork and good behaviour.
Celebrate good play and positive moments from both sides.
Respect the decisions of coaches, referees and match officials.
Encourage players to respect their opponents, teammates, coaches and officials.
Allow coaches to coach and avoid giving players conflicting instructions from the sidelines.
Avoid shouting tactical instructions at players unless specifically invited to do so by the coaching staff.
Encourage children when they make mistakes and help them learn from those mistakes.
Remain within designated spectator areas where applicable.
Respect the facilities, venues and equipment used by Next Pro Elites.
Raise concerns calmly and appropriately with the relevant member of staff.
Support a positive, inclusive and welcoming environment for every player.
Never engage in or tolerate bullying, discrimination, intimidation, threatening behaviour or abusive language.
Never physically or verbally confront a referee, coach, player, parent or spectator.
Remember that the development and wellbeing of the child is more important than the result of a match.

Parents and spectators must not:

Abuse, threaten or intimidate coaches, players, referees, officials or other spectators.
Use offensive, discriminatory, insulting or abusive language.
Publicly criticise or humiliate individual children.
Attempt to coach players during a session when doing so conflicts with the instructions of the Next Pro Elites coach.
Enter the playing area without permission.
Challenge or confront coaches immediately following a difficult incident or decision.

Serious or repeated breaches of this Code of Conduct may result in a parent, guardian or spectator being asked to leave a session or venue and, where necessary, being restricted from attending future Next Pro Elites activities.

WhatsApp, Messaging & Social Media

Next Pro Elites recognises that WhatsApp, email, social media and other communication platforms are useful ways for parents, guardians, players and coaches to communicate.

However, these platforms must be used respectfully and responsibly.

As a parent, guardian or spectator, I agree that I will:

Communicate respectfully with Next Pro Elites coaches and staff.
Avoid aggressive, threatening, insulting or abusive messages.
Not use WhatsApp groups or social media to publicly criticise or target individual coaches, players, parents or children.
Not share confidential information about players, children, families or staff.
Not post photographs or videos of other children without appropriate permission.
Raise concerns through the appropriate Next Pro Elites communication channels.
Avoid discussing sensitive or emotionally charged issues in public group chats.
Give myself a 24-hour cooling-off periodbefore raising a complaint or concern about a training session, match, coach or decision where appropriate.
Allow time for concerns to be discussed calmly and constructively rather than responding emotionally in the moment.

The 24-hour cooling-off period is intended to prevent reactive communication, misunderstandings and misinterpretation of tone in written messages.

Where a concern needs to be raised, parents and guardians should contact the appropriate Next Pro Elites member of staff privately and respectfully

Bullying, Discrimination & Abuse

Next Pro Elites has a zero-tolerance approach to bullying, discrimination, harassment, threatening behaviour and abuse.

This applies to behaviour:

In person.
During training sessions.
During matches and events.
On WhatsApp or messaging platforms.
On social media.
Through any other form of communication connected with Next Pro Elites.

Any concern involving the welfare or safety of a child should be reported to a coach or the Next Pro Elites Safeguarding Lead as soon as possible.

All safeguarding concerns will be taken seriously and dealt with in accordance with our safeguarding procedures.

Our Expectations

At Next Pro Elites, we want every player to leave each session feeling better, more confident and more motivated than when they arrived.

We expect everyone involved in our academy to contribute to that environment.

Play with passion.
Train with purpose.
Respect everyone.
Develop together.

By participating in Next Pro Elites activities, players, parents, guardians and spectators agree to follow this Code of Conduct.