WELFARE NEWSLETTER (ISSUE 1 - JUNE)

EMJFL Newsletter March Issue 1.pdf

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Good morning CWO’s,

It has been great over the past couple of months to liaise with you all in person and via phone and email. Working collaboratively to address issues and seeing how clubs can work together to resolve instances is exactly what we had hoped to facilitate when we began in our role. As a league, we are making great progress, and this wouldn't be possible without your support, so thank you once again.

Below is a summary of the key information from the EMJFL Welfare Newsletter (March 2026, Issue 1) to assist you in your role and that we have been dealing with in our roles:

Coach Compliance & CPD Updates

• Audit Results: A February audit showed most clubs are fully compliant, but improvement is needed regarding expiring qualifications.

• Mandatory Qualifications: By the 2026/27 season, all coaches must hold a recognized football qualification to remain compliant. We strongly recommend the free EE Playmaker course or the Introduction to Coaching Football (£100) to ensure compliance now.

• DBS & Safeguarding: DBS applications should start three months before expiry. Any adult with an expired DBS or Safeguarding Children qualification will be suspended from training and match-day activities, which may result in withdrawn fixtures.

• Role Accuracy: Adults should not be listed as "Secretary" on the Club Portal to avoid compliance checks; this role is for admin only, and anyone pitch-side must be a qualified manager or coach.

Matchday & Player Welfare

• Cup Final Requirements: For all finals, all adults on the squad sheet must be fully DBS and Safeguarding compliant with no exceptions. Squad sheets must be downloaded within three days of the fixture.

• Inclusion & Medical Needs: Coaches are encouraged to use a "30-second referee briefing" to highlight players with medical conditions (like asthma or diabetes) or neurodivergent traits (such as whistle sensitivity).

• Shin Pad Ban: 'Mini' shin pads remain banned for player safety; pads must meet safety standards (approx. 16cm minimum) and be fully covered by socks.

Safeguarding & Reporting

• Social Media & Filming: Any footage featuring identifiable children intended for the public domain (Facebook, YouTube, TikTok) requires written permission from all parties prior to kick-off.

• Parent Awareness: We strongly advocate for parents to complete the free, 45-minute FA Parent Safeguarding Awareness Course.

• Reporting Misconduct: Please remind members to "See It, Hear It, Report It" regarding abuse towards officials, players, or coaches.

Venue Reminders

• Prohibitions: A polite reminder that no dogs are permitted at any EMJFL venues.

Our next newsletter will be Issue 2, sent at the end of June. It will include information regarding Future Fit 26/27 and suggestions for getting ready for the registration season for coaches, players, and parents. If you would like to send us anything to be included or have a suggestion, we are more than happy to receive them.

Enjoy the CWO Newsletter! The PDF is hyperlinked direct to webpages/contacts to support where needed. It would be great if you could share the relevant parts with your committee, coaches and parents as they may find some useful things on there.

We are still getting new email addresses for the CWO data base, please update us if changed and thanks for all those that have now move to a club email address rather than a personal email address as advised. 

There are other attachments in this email, such as the proforma referenced for social media, should you require one.

If you need anything, please don’t hesitate to get in touch.

Ste and Billy

EMJFL Welfare