Coach/Club Contract

Coaching at Lewes FC Select

At Lewes FC Select, we believe in creating a safe, supportive, and enjoyable footballing environment that allow players to develop, thrive, and love the game.

This Coach-Club Contract sets out the expectations we have for our coaches and what they can expect from the club in return.

By volunteering as a coach, you are agreeing to these shared responsibilities. In return, the club will support you, every step of the way.

Together, we are building a club where every child has access to high-quality football in a safe, respectful, and well-organised environment.

What coaches can expect from the club:

1. Training and development

  • Access to FA-accredited training courses, including safeguarding, first aid, and coaching certifications.

  • Opportunities for Continuing Professional Development (CPD) and mentoring.

  • Support with booking and funding training courses required for your role.

2. Equipment and resources

  • A full set of essential coaching equipment (balls etc.) annually, with access to reimbursement for additional equipment.

  • Access to training pitches and facilities, including Priory School and the Rookery 3G pitch.

  • Storage provision for equipment at the Rookery 3G.

  • Provision of changing rooms for home and away teams at the Rookery 3G.

3. Administrative support

  • League registration support to ensure all players are eligible to play.

  • Access to GOT Sport management systems to report match results.

  • Guidance on safeguarding issues and support from the Welfare & Safeguarding Officer.

  • Full insurance coverage for all official coaching activities.

4. Volunteer support

  • Dispute resolution support from the Club Chair/Vice Chair where necessary.

  • Help from the Welfare & Safeguarding Officer in maintaining safe and inclusive coaching environments.

  • Assistance from the Membership & Registrations Secretary for player registrations and fees.

  • Support from the Club Secretary for FA and league communications.

5. Reimbursement and financial support

  • Reimbursement for essential expenses and approved training equipment.

  • Payment for league registration fees and FA coaching courses (as agreed with the committee).

What the club expects from coaches:

1. Player development and wellbeing

  • Plan and deliver engaging training sessions appropriate for the age and development of players.

  • Prioritise player development over match results.

  • Ensure player safety at all times, following FA welfare and safeguarding guidelines

  • Support player inclusivity, encouraging participation for players of all abilities.

2. Communication and respect

  • Maintain clear and respectful communication with parents, players, and volunteers.

  • Be a positive role model, demonstrating respect for referees, opponents, and players.

  • Use Spond as the main communication tool, ensuring updates are timely and clear.

Please refrain from Whatsapp as we move towards parents using Spond for all club communications.

3. Administrative responsibilities

  • Confirm team attendance on Spond before matches and training sessions.

  • Report match results, as required by the league.

  • Manage kit levels appropriately.

  • Coaches must familiarise themselves with all matchday tasks and admin, which are outlined by the JPL

4. Safeguarding and welfare

  • Complete DBS checks before starting your role.

  • Attend FA safeguarding training and ensure certification is kept up to date.

  • Follow FA adult-to-child ratio guidelines during training and match days. This includes Cancelling Training or Matches when you cannot provide 2 or more coaches to support your team.

  • Report any safeguarding concerns directly to the Welfare & Safeguarding Officer.

Coaches must adhere to all club policies and processes. Please read through and understand our Safeguarding Policy. Failure to do so may lead to you being asked to leave the club.

5. Commitment and availability

  • Attend training sessions and matches as agreed with parents and the club. Available training times will depend on 3G availability at the Rookery. You should expect to spend 60-70 mins plus travel time, and around 20-30 minutes planning for Training sessions, and your match length plus travel time plus regular communications in preparation for matchdays. Your team's 3G training slot is available year-round, but training throughout the year is not mandatory. While many teams choose to train continuously, others opt to train only during the football season, from August to May.

  • One coach in each team must commit to having football oversight, managing the connection between training and matches.

  • Notify the club in advance if you are unable to coach on a specific date.

  • Plan ahead to ensure training sessions are structured and well-prepared.

6. Parent/guardian-team contracting

We recommend you use a parent/guardian-team contract with parents to ensure that you get what you want from your volunteering. An example is here. You can circulate your version of this at the start of the season and then refer to it whenever you need to communicate your expectations to players and/or parents. Having a contract like this and getting parents to sign up to it also makes it easier for the club to support you in your decision making and communication.

Coaches must ensure:

  • Players wear appropriate footwear on the Rookery 3G. No metal studs or blades!

  • The pitch is kept clean—no litter, tape, or food should be left behind

  • Players stay within their allocated time slots and pitch allocation of a third/quarter, exit promptly for the next group.

  • Goals are moved back after use to prevent damage.

  • Changing rooms are used appropriately, and no child is left unsupervised.

We expect all teams, parents, and players to follow these guidelines to ensure the 3G remains a safe, high-quality facility for everyone.

Onboarding process for coaches – Lewes FC Select

1. Application submission

  • Coaches express interest via the club website and meet with the club Chair

2. Initial meeting with club Chair

Purpose:

  • Discuss club values, expectations, and philosophy, as well as exploring in full the commitment of time, energy and labour.

  • Review coaches, player, parent, and club contracts to ensure alignment.

  • Explain match day expectations, including setup, team management, and conduct.

  • Outline Continuing Professional Development (CPD) requirements for ongoing learning.

3. Safeguarding & compliance check

  • Club Secretary ensures the following are in place before the coach begins:

  • DBS Check (Disclosure & Barring Service) – must be valid and up to date.

  • FA Coaching Qualifications – confirm level and validity.

  • Safeguarding Children Certificate – ensure completion.

  • First Aid Certification – confirm training is current.

  • Club Registration – add coach to club records and any league-affiliated platforms.

4. Integration into coaching setup

  • Once compliance is confirmed, the coach can:

  • Begin attending training sessions.

  • Work alongside existing coaches for initial sessions if necessary.

  • Take on responsibilities in matches, following club expectations.

5. Ongoing development & support

  • Regular check-ins from the Committee member that initially supported their onboarding.

  • Encouragement to attend CPD sessions, FA coaching workshops, and club meetings.

  • Opportunities for feedback and progression within the club.

  • This structured approach ensures new coaches understand their role, meet safeguarding standards, and integrate smoothly into the club environment.

Sign & agree…

By taking on a coaching role at Lewes FC Select, you agree to these principles.

💬 Any questions? Contact the Club Chair/Vice-Chair for further discussion.

🚀 Together, we create a safe, fun, and inclusive football environment for every child.