Policy for Pro Youth Initiative Club approaches to players for training and games
Recognition by representatives of Senior / Pro Youth Clubs should be welcomed as a sign of excellent development of a player and is a reflection of the dedication and commitment of the player, the parent(s), the Coach and Musselburgh Windsor FC. All players should be supported and encouraged to play at the highest level they are comfortable with and the benefit of additional coaching and high-level games is great experience and education in their ongoing and continued development.
Notwithstanding this, the needs of the player and Musselburgh Windsor need to be balanced to ensure fairness for everyone, including the player’s team mates. While we will support and encourage players and their parents/guardians to make an informed choices with regard to additional training, the needs of Musselburgh Windsor must come first and any clashes which interfere with Musselburgh Windsor training or matches will mean the player not being able to play for Musselburgh Windsor in the next match.
The following points should be considered by all parties when an approach is to be made for attendance at training and matches, particularly when the request results in a clash of dates:
The Pro Youth Club representative should contact the team coach or group leader to advise that they are going to contact a player’s parent / guardian.
The Pro Youth Club representative must be able to formally identify himself as being attached to the Senior Club either by letter on Club-headed paper or a formal I.D. badge.
The Musselburgh Windsor Coach / Team Leader must make the parent / guardian aware of the approach and allow them the opportunity to speak to the Pro Youth Club representative.
If the request to train/play for a Pro Youth Club clashes with a Musselburgh Windsor match then the Pro Youth Club representative must contact the Musselburgh Windsor coach / Team Leader to advise them of this fact. This should not be left to the parent / guardian to do as it may place them in an uncomfortable position and will also be seen as a confirmation of good relations between the Pro Youth Club and Musselburgh Windsor and a commitment to the best interests of the player.
The Musselburgh Windsor training night must be recognised as the main attachment a player has to the Club. If the request to train/play clashes with the training night the player and parent / guardian must accept that the player cannot play for Musselburgh Windsor in their next match.
The player and parent / guardian must accept that the requirements of Musselburgh Windsor to field a team on a Sunday is paramount and regular absence of a player to play/train with a Pro Youth Club will affect team mates and team morale. If a player plays or trains with a Pro Youth Club on a Sunday then the player cannot play in the next Musselburgh Windsor match.
7. At all times, the effect on the health and well-being, both mental and physical, of the player in undertaking additional training and matches must be of paramount importance. The parent / guardian, Musselburgh Windsor and the Pro Youth Club must monitor the player for any negative reactions and deal with them quickly and appropriately.
