EMJFL WELFARE NEWLETTER (ISSUE 2 - JUNE)
- EMJFL
- Jun 30
- 3 min read
Updated: Jul 10
Good afternoon Club Welfare Officers,
As we have wrapped up the current season, we want to take a moment to say a massive thank you for all your hard work, dedication, and tireless commitment to your clubs and players.
It has been absolutely fantastic to communicate, support, and work collaboratively with you all to achieve positive outcomes in our respective roles this year. We have learnt so much already in this role just this season, and we are incredibly excited to continue making positive strides together as we move forward into the exciting changes in the 2026-27 season.
To help you brief your committees and coaches over the summer break, we have put together our Summer EMJFL Welfare Newsletter (June 2026, Issue 2). Below is a brief summary and outline of the key topics covered in this issue:
📋 Summer Newsletter Outline & Key Summaries
1. 🚨 Action Required: Dedicated Club Welfare Email Addresses
The Issue: A staggering 66% of our member clubs (121 out of 183) currently do not have a designated club welfare email address.
The Risk: Using personal emails (e.g., Lizzyiscute1995@gmail.com) risks exposing sensitive or private child data. It also means clubs cannot retrieve vital case histories if a CWO steps down.
Action: We ask all clubs to create a professional, generic welfare email (e.g., welfare@clubname.co.uk) before the start of the 2026-27 season so parents, clubs and the league can contact you easily.
2. 🆔 Player Registrations for '26-'27 & Common Pitfalls
We encountered multiple eligibility issues last season due to incorrect registration processes.
Common issues included: Registering players under variations of their name, double registrations in the same age group, falsifying dates of birth, and attaching the wrong child's photo ID.
Action: Ensure your committee members search the FA Club Portal first before creating new player profiles, and please deregister any players who have left your club.
3. 🛡️ Pre-Season Credentials & New First Aid Rule
DBS Checks: First-time FA DBS applications can take up to 12 weeks to process. With just over two months until the new season, unregistered coaches must submit their applications immediately to avoid missing opening weekend.
New Rule: From September 2026, it is strictly mandatory that at least one coach per team holds a valid First Aid Qualification. Links to the FA Safeguarding and First Aid courses are included in the full newsletter.
4. 📱 Summer Trialists, Social Media, and New Mobile Laws
Trialists: If children are trialling or attending open summer sessions, clubs have an immediate duty of care. Coaches must have emergency contacts and medical data (like EpiPen requirements) accessible on the pitch or at training sessions immediately.
New Legislation: The newsletter highlights the UK Mobile Phone Ban in Schools which passed into statutory law on June 29, 2026, alongside the upcoming Under-16 Social Media Ban slated for Spring 2027.
5. ☀️ Sun Safety & The CWO Think-Tank
Sun Safe Clubs: Following recent extreme weather, we are highly encouraging all clubs to gain free "Sun Safe" accreditation via the Melanoma Fund UK.
CWO Case Study: We've included a "Think-Tank" scenario regarding Coach Dave, who has been giving a player one-to-one lifts and direct WhatsApp messages. Check it out to test your boundary management skills before the official action plan drops in September!
🔄 Important Request: Are you leaving your role?
To ensure our communications remain seamless over the summer, if you or any CWO’s at your club are planning to leave the role, could you please notify us at the EMJFL immediately? Keeping our records accurate and up to date ensures the right safeguarding information always reaches the right person.
Thank you once again for an incredible season. Enjoy your summer break, keep your eyes on those pre-season credentials, and let's keep putting kids first!
Kind regards,
Ste McDonough & Billy Hunter
EMJFL Welfare Officers
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