Welcome to Ashington FC.  Thank you for volunteering!!

As a Club we are here to support you every step of the way. You’ve got the responsibility of managing the team. We have travelled the same path and know that it can be daunting to begin with so we have put together a short guide and some helpful links. But of course, our friendly family are on hand to help you every kick of the way.

Below is a link to the FA handbook, it is intended to be a guide to help you, the team manager, to go about your role in a way that will maximise the enjoyment and development of the players and coaches involved in the team:

The Handbook

Before you unveil your tactical master plan it’s important that you establish some key principles as to how you want to manage. If you can personify the following there is a chance that your players will pay some attention to you.

Equally, being an ambassador for the club, it is important that you follow our core which is the DNA of the Club:

  • Coaching – To offer some of the highest quality coaching and training throughout our year groups
  • Support – Identify players within the teams who have a disability and to provide additional support and opportunities for those identified.​
  • Respect – Creating a fun, safe environment in line with the Safeguarding Children principles
  • Fair – The players need to know that the manager will treat them fairly. Be consistent.
  • Organised   – The manager must be a good organiser of time and players
  • Understand the players – The manager must know the strengths and weaknesses of their players

It takes a lot of time and effort to run a successful grassroots football club. You have already taken a big step in offering your time and expertise by becoming a team manager.

Being a Manager of a football team for Ashington Cougars, we require you to have the following:

  • At least one FA Level 1 Coach as a minimum
  • Manager needs to have completed the Safegaurding course and be DBS checked
  • Other Assistants also need Safeguarding and DBS
  • Each team also needs first Aid cover

GOOD LUCK ! But remember you are not alone and have the full support of the Club and it’s members.

Useful references and external links:

As a Club, qualified or unqualified we are always interested in hearing from new volunteers.  We will take you through the steps needed to become part of our coaching team. As an introduction, The FA Playmaker Course is an excellent way to build up the foundations to taking an active role within the Club:

FA Playmaker Course

We highly recommended this new introductory football course and would encourage you to circulate it far and wide as this is perfect for anyone wanting to take a more active volunteer role in grassroots football, including those new to coaching.

It’s open to everyone aged 14+, is completely free, and no previous football experience or qualifications are required. You will however need a laptop, mobile or tablet device in order to access the course.

Over 5 online modules, it will help develop the skills needed to deliver the brilliant basics that make fun, safe and inclusive football happen for all. The following topics will be covered:

  • Make football ‘For All’
  • Connect with your players
  • Create fun sessions
  • Keep football safe
  • Take your next step

By the end of the course, you’ll be able to:

  • Confidently support fun, safe and inclusive football sessions
  • Help respond to concussion and sudden cardiac arrest emergencies as well as embed your Emergency Action Plan into your team/club
  • Encourage participation through effective use of motivation and communication techniques
  • Use the STEP framework to plan fun activities that meet players’ needs.
  • Understand how to use England DNA principles of positivity, ball rolling and game-based practice to create engaging sessions.
  • Move onto The FA Level 1 in Coaching Football course