Empowerment of Children at our Club

PORT MELBOURNE COLTS JUNIOR FOOTBALL CLUB

Empowerment of Childre

Strategies to promote the participation and empowerment of children through club run initiatives.

Currently at the Port Colts Junior Football Club,, we promote the participation and empowerment of children through various club run initiatives including;

 Player/s of the match on a weekly basis whereby each player receives an award and presented with their award after the match with their team mates.

 Weekly captains selected for game day nominated by the coaches (U8-U16 yrs)

 From U12 and up different player families rostered on to vote the top five players on a weekly basis and votes placed in a sealed envelope.

 Parents are encouraged to take on a weekly role via a roster system for duties such as scoring, umpire escort, oranges, water boy etc.

 Milestones are acknowledged and players presented with their awards. Players given the opportunity to speak and thank whoever has helped and supported them to their milestone.

 Weekly newsletter contains a match report from each coach on the game which also includes naming players who contributed or kicked goals etc. The newsletter also contains photos from the Sunday night after match, milestones, upcoming news and events for the club and general information and reminders.

 Promotion material/photos of club players are used on boards to advertise registrations day, social media is used to promote the club, initiatives from the league and club.

 Guest AFL players attending training sessions and working with the players.

To further promote the participation and empowerment of children through various club run initiatives, the PMCJFC will consider and implement some of these initiatives;

 Develop a player committee which will consist of one or more players from each age group to meet and discuss ideas, suggestions and improvements for the club and players to make their playing experience more positive.

 Devise a player survey which can be completed online through SurveyMonkey survey at the end of the season.

 Implement a Buddy system where by each new player is buddied up with a ‘buddy’ to show them around the club, introduce them to the club personnel including the Child Safety Officer and making them feel welcome and comfortable.

 In the weekly newsletter have a player profile where by a player is nominated by their coach and they appear in the newsletter with their photo, name, age, team they play for and the answer to some simple questions such as who do you barrack for, favourite player, favourite food, what do you love about playing at PCJFC for example.

 Ensure the document Your Right to Enjoy Footy is given to each player or is attached to the Player Code of Conduct.

 Celebrate a Multicultural round in conjunction with AFL’s multicultural round.

Coaches could consider the following;

 Nominate one or two players per week at training to lead a new drill or stretch. Coaches can give players a week’s notice in advance to do so.

 Nominate one player on game day to motivate the team before the match commences or at half time. This doesn’t have to be the captain if the captain remains the same each week as it may in the older age groups.

 Allow players time to give feedback at training on what they did well and what could be improved on or general discussion.

 Allow a couple of players from the U15/16 Alliance teams to assist at training with the younger age groups occasionally throughout the season with a drill or games