Villacourt Rovers has a proud history in South-East London football, having been founded in 1953. As one of the oldest such clubs we have had many players pass through us, whether playing purely socially, or going on to play in the professional leagues. Many well-recognised players, including a number of current Premiership players, started off playing their football at Villacourt.
However we exist to provide the opportunity for all children in the local community and surrounding areas to play football in a safe and structured environment. Whilst we enjoy the success of our teams on the field - and we regularly have teams competing in the latter rounds of the London FA Youth Cup - it is the enjoyment of the game that is most important. We strive to run as many teams as we can and we welcome children of all abilities.
Please visit the "Teams" page for details on our teams and of any players wanted.
In 2010, the Club was awarded FA Chartered Standard Status and was also granted Kent Youth League membership.
We acknowledge and accept our primary responsibility of the well-being and safety of those children who are training or playing with the Club. We abide by the FA's Child Protection Policies and Procedures and all coaches are required to compete the FA Level 1 Certificate in Coaching Football which includes a Child Protection Workshop and a basic First Aid course.
We welcome adult support of the Club and can assist those who are considering managing their own team of young players.
Villacourt Rovers FC (the club) acknowledges, and accepts, as its main responsibility, the well-being and safety of those children who are training or playing with the Club. The Club will abide by the FA's Child Protection Policies and Procedures, and all coaches will be required to complete the FA Level 1 Certificate in Coaching Football, which includes a Child Protection and Best Practice-Workshop and a First Aid course. All helpers will be required to complete an FA CRB Form (Criminal Records). The Club has a designated Child Welfare Officer (CWO) who accepts responsibility for monitoring all Club procedures in relation to child protection issues. Parents and children coming to the Club will be made aware of our child protection policy. The Club will ensure a programme of Football Association accredited training for all coaches.
Villacourt Rovers Football Club acknowledges its responsibility to safeguard the welfare of every child and young person who has been entrusted to its care and is committed to working to provide a safe environment for all members. A child or young person is anyone under the age of 18 engaged in any club football activity. We subscribe to The Football Association's child protection and best practice policy and procedures and endorse and adopt the policy statement contained in that document.
The key principles of The FA child protection policy are that:
We acknowledge that every child or young person who plays or participates in football should be able to take part in an enjoyable and safe environment and be protected from poor practice and abuse. Villacourt Rovers Football Club recognises that this is the responsibility of every adult involved in our club.
Villacourt Rovers Football Club has a role to play in safeguarding the welfare of all children and young people by protecting them from physical, sexual or emotional harm and from neglect or bullying. It is noted and accepted that The Football Association's child protection regulation applies to everyone in football whether in a paid or voluntary capacity. This includes those who are a volunteer, match official, helper on club tours, football coach, club official or medical staff.
We endorse and adopt The FA's child protection and best practice guidelines for recruiting volunteers and will:
All current Villacourt Rovers Football Club members with direct access to children and young people will be required to complete a CRB Enhanced Disclosure via The FA CRB Unit. If there are concerns regarding the appropriateness of an individual who is already involved or who has approached us to become part of Villacourt Rovers Football Club guidance will be sought from The Football Association. It is noted and accepted that The FA will consider the relevance and significance of the information obtained via The FA CRB Unit Enhanced CRB Disclosure and that all decisions will be made in the best interests of children and young people.
It is accepted that The FA aims to prevent people with a history of relevant and significant offending from having contact with children or young people and the opportunity to influence policies or practice with children or young people. This is to prevent direct sexual or physical harm to children and to minimise the risk of 'grooming' within football.
Villacourt Rovers Football Club supports The FA's whistle blowing policy. Any adult or young person with concerns about a colleague can 'whistle blow' by contacting The FA Child Protection Manager on 0207 745 4771, by writing to The FA Case Manager at The Football Association, 25 Soho Square, London W1D 4FA or by going direct to the police, social services or the NSPCC. Villacourt Rovers Football Club encourages everyone to know about it and utilise it if necessary.
Villacourt Rovers Football Club has appointed a Club Welfare Officer (CWO) in line with The FA's role profile and required completion of the child protection and best practice workshop. The post holder will be involved with designated person's training provided by The FA. The CWO is the first point of contact for all club members and parents or guardians regarding concerns for the welfare of any child or young person. They will liaise directly with the CFA CPO and will be familiar with the procedures for referring any concerns. They will also play a proactive role in increasing an awareness of poor practice and abuse amongst club members.
We acknowledge and endorse The FA's identification of bullying as a category of abuse. Bullying of any kind is not acceptable at our club. If bullying does occur, all players, parents or guardians should be able to tell and know that incidents will be dealt with promptly. Incidents need to be reported to the CWO, a member of the committee or, in cases of serious bullying contact the CFA CPO
Codes of conduct for players, parents or spectators, officials and coaches have been implemented by Villacourt Rovers Football Club. In order to validate these codes of conduct the club has clear sanctions to deal with any misconduct at club level and acknowledges the possibility of potential sanctions which may be implemented by leagues or the CFA in more serious circumstances. All prospective members will be informed of these codes.
Further advice on child protection matters can be obtained from:
Jump to Code of Conduct for: Coaches Match Officials Players Team Officials Spectators
Football is the national game. All those involved with the game at every level and whether as a player, match official, coach, owner or administrator, have a responsibility, above and beyond compliance with the law, to act according to the highest standards of integrity, and to ensure that the reputation of the game is, and remains, high. This Code applies to all those involved in football under the auspices of The Football Association.
Football, at all levels, is a vital part of a community. Football will take into account community feeling when making decisions.
Football is opposed to discrimination of any form and will promote measures to prevent it, in whatever form, from being expressed.
Football recognises the sense of ownership felt by those who participate at all levels of the game. This includes those who play, those who coach or help in any way, and those who officiate, as well as administrators and supporters. Football is committed to appropriate consultation.
Football acknowledges the extent of its influence over young people and pledges to set a positive example.
Football acknowledges that public confidence demands the highest standards of financial and administrative behaviour within the game, and will not tolerate corruption or improper practices.
Football will uphold a relationship of trust and respect between all involved in the game, whether they are individuals, clubs or other organisations.
Football rejects the use of violence of any nature by anyone involved in the game.
Football is committed to fairness in its dealings with all involved in the game.
Football is committed to the principle of playing to win consistent with Fair Play.
Coaches are key to the establishment of ethics in football. Their concept of ethics and their attitude directly effects the behaviour of players under their supervision. Coaches are, therefore, expected to pay particular care to the moral aspect of their conduct. Coaches have to be aware that almost all of their everyday decisions and choices of actions, as well as strategic targets, have ethical implications. It is natural that winning constitutes a basic concern for coaches. This code is not intended to conflict with that. However, the code calls for coaches to disassociate themselves from a "win-at-all-costs" attitude.
Increased responsibility is requested from coaches involved in coaching young people. The health, safety, welfare and moral education of young people are a first priority, before the achievement or the reputation of the club, school, coach or parent.
Under the Laws of the Game the decisions of a referee on points of fact connected with the play are final as far as the result of the game is concerned. A referee also has wide-ranging powers defined in Law 5. The exercising of such power requires a high level of ethics from referees and assistant referees (referred to in this Code together as "referees"). In addition to the quality of refereeing, the behaviour of the referee has an impact, either directly or indirectly, on the conduct of all others involved in the game. Respect for referees and their decisions is a fundamental part of the game. A Code of Conduct for Match Officials is a proper response to those expectations. While the Code focuses primarily on referees involved in top-class football, with few exceptions the basic ideas are valid for match officials at all levels, be they on the National List, or registered with County Football Associations and only involved in local football.
Obligations towards the game
The referee has a duty to the game in its widest sense. One of those duties is to help the game to keep moving, compatible with fair play, and to seek to ensure it is attractive and is not subject to unnecessary halts.
The referee should:
Obligations towards the Players
The powers of a referee must be used with wise judgment and care. Authority and a firm approach must be combined with respect.
A referee should have regard to protecting the players.
A referee should show due respect when speaking with the players, even in the event of infringements.
In reports, a referee should set out the true facts and not attempt to justify any decisions.
Obligations towards fellow Referees, Assistant Referees, Fourth Officials and Substitute Referees
It is necessary for the referee's authority to be protected, not only for the sake of the game, but also in the interest of fellow referees, assistant referees, fourth officials and substitute referees. This protection should, however, not influence the over-riding regard for protection of the players.
Players are the most important people in the sport. Playing for the team, and for the team to win, is the most fundamental part of the game. But not winning at any cost - Fair Play and respect for all others in the game is fundamentally important.
A player should:
Obligations towards one's own team
Respect for the Laws of the Game and competition rules
Respect towards Opponents
Treat opponents with due respect at all times, irrespective of the result of the game.
Respect towards the Match Officials
Respect towards Team Officials
Obligations towards the Supporters
This Code applies to all team/club officials (although some items may not apply to all officials).
The team official should:
Obligations towards the team
Your actions influence the mood of the players and the game.
Villacourt Rovers Football Club is responsible for setting standards and values to apply throughout the club at every level. Football belongs to and should be enjoyed by everyone, equally. Our commitment is to confront and eliminate discrimination whether by reason of sex, sexual orientation, race, nationality, ethnic origin, colour, religion or disability.
Equality of opportunity at Villacourt Rovers Football Club means that in all our activities we will not discriminate or in any way treat anyone less favourably, on grounds of age, sex, sexual orientation, race, nationality, ethnic origin, colour, religion or disability. This includes:
Villacourt Rovers Football Club will not tolerate sexual or racially based harassment or other discriminatory behaviour, whether physical or verbal, and will work to ensure that such behaviour is met with appropriate action in whatever context it occurs.
Villacourt Rovers Football Club is committed to the development of the programme of ongoing training and awareness raising events and activities, in order to promote the eradication of discrimination within its own organisation, and within football as a whole.
Villacourt Rovers Association Football Club is committed to a policy of equal treatment of all members. All members of whatever level or authority are required to abide by and adhere to this general principle and the requirements of the Codes of Practice issued by the Equal Opportunities Commission & the Commission for Racial Equality.
All members are expected to abide by the requirements of the Race Relations Act 1976, Sex Discrimination Act 1986 and Disability Discrimination Act 1995. Specifically discrimination is prohibited by:
Villacourt Rovers Association Football Club commits itself to the immediate investigation of any claims of discrimination on the above grounds and where such is found to be the case, a requirement that the practice cease forthwith, restitution of damage or loss (if necessary) and to the investigation of any member accused of discrimination.
Any member found guilty of discrimination will be instructed to desist forthwith. Since discrimination in its many forms is against the Club's policy, any members offending will be dealt with under the disciplinary procedure.
Villacourt Rovers Association Football commits itself to the disabled person whenever possible and will treat such members, in aspects of their recruitment and membership, in exactly the same manner as other members. The difficulties of their disablement permitting, assistance will be given, wherever possible to ensure that disabled members are helped in gaining access. Appropriate training will be made to such members who request it.
