Club Travel Policy

LFC Travel Policy (June, 2017)

The following information shall endeavor to outline the Lethbridge Football Club (LFC) Travel Policy for U10 to U18 players.  First and foremost it is important to acknowledge the importance of clear communication between all of the following parties.  LFC coaches act in the best interest of the team they represent and choose tournament play to develop and grow the skills of the player.

Prior to Travel Tournaments:

It is the responsibility of the team coach and manager to provide a detailed budget and schedule to the parents for approval prior to a decision being required.

The same schedule and budget should be submitted to the LFC Program Director

During Travel:

Coaches Responsibilities:

All Coaches must adhere to the LFC Code of Conduct.

1. Coaches will oversee athletes for the duration of the trip.
2. Coaches will also oversee athletes at coaches/athlete social functions that chaperones do not attend.
3. Coaches will be responsible for setting and conducting all team meetings, practice times and places.
4. Coaches determine curfew times.
5. Coaches work in close co-operation with the chaperones on all matters.
6. Coaches shall not be under the influence of drugs or alcohol while overseeing the athletes.
7. Coaches will report any incidents likely to bring discredit to the club. Together with the chaperones, coaches will decide disciplinary action to be taken and report such action to the parents of the athletes concerned and to the Club Executive.

Chaperones Responsibilities:

All chaperones must adhere to the LFC Code of Conduct.

1. Chaperones will assist athletes in the arrangement of meals and will consult with coaches and athletes.
2. Chaperones will report any sickness or injuries to the coaches.
3. Chaperones will report any incidents likely to bring discredit to the club to the coaches.
4. Chaperones shall not be under the influence of drugs or alcohol while overseeing the athletes.
5. Chaperones will inspect hotel rooms rented for coaches and athletes for damage before check in and after check out. Any damage will be reported to Club Management with occupant’s names.
6. The chaperone to player ratio will be determined at the discretion of the head coach/team manager but shall not exceed ten athletes per chaperone.
7. Chaperones will approve visitors to the team accommodation at their discretion.
8. Chaperones will supply a background check to Team Management four weeks before travel, and a driving record check when applicable.

Players Responsibilities:

All players must adhere to the LFC Code of Conduct.

1. Players shall make any visitor requests to Chaperones before the visit is expected.
2. Players are expected to represent LFC to the best of their abilities at all times during the trip.
3. Players are encouraged to communicate any problems or concerns to the coaches & chaperone(s) just as they would their own parents.
4. Players are to check in with the coaches & chaperone(s) when leaving their rooms.
5. Players may not drive themselves to travel tournaments.
6. Curfew to be set by coaches and adhered to by players.
7. Players must respect and follow any guidelines designated by either coach or chaperones.

Parents/Guardians Responsibilities:

All parents/guardians must adhere to the LFC Code of Conduct.

1. Parents/Guardians are responsible for drop off and pick up of their children at times and places indicated by coaches.
2. Parents/Guardians are responsible for reviewing ‘Travel and Chaperone Policy’ with the athletes.
3. Parents/Guardians shall be responsible for any actions by the Athletes for the duration of the trip.
4. All fees will be paid in full prior to the start of travel.
5. Any costs incurred as a result of actions by an athlete shall be charged back to the athlete’s parents/guardians.

Club/team management Responsibilities:

1. Team Management/coaches shall room female and male athletes separately. Coaches and Chaperones shall be roomed separately from athletes.
2. Team Management/coaches will coordinate/collect all travel expenses.
3. The Team Management/coaches will notify parents/guardians of trip duration.

All Parties Responsibilities:

1. All parties (Coaches, Chaperones, Athletes, Parents/Guardians) shall abide by the LFC and ASA’s Volunteer Screening, Discrimination and Harassment Policy and will be subject to the disciplinary actions of the Policy. Included, but not limited to, are verbal threats, physical or sexual abuse, or behaviour which undermines self-esteem.

Travel Tournament Designations

Parent Supported Tournament

Parents accompany player to the tournament. Accommodation, meal and transport to and from game is the responsibility of the parent. If parent is unable to chaperone their own player it is the responsibility of the parent to arrange the transport and accommodation of their player.

Stay and Play Tournament

All LFC Players will be expected to travel and room with their team members for selected away tournaments. The purpose of this is to provide the players with a supported team environment and away experience which will benefit their growth as a player. This style of tournament can be anticipated at least once during the course of the U14-U18 year.

Costs for Stay and Play tournaments fees are the responsibility of the team. Travel, hotels, meals, hydration and nutritious snacks are factored into the cost. In addition the costs per player will include coach(es) travel expenses (including food and hotel) and possibly costs for chaperones when deemed necessary.  Chaperones support the coach in the ways outlined above.

By introducing this style of tournament costs incurred by each LFC team member and family may be limited. Our intention is to introduce the players to all aspects of competitive play at the elite youth soccer level.

The coach and manager will coordinate and book all LFC Team travel and lodging for players on their teams. Parents that may wish to travel are expected to coordinate their own travel and lodging. All players will be expected to travel to and from tournaments and to and from games with their teammates. This will be in plane, charters, vans or rental Cars depending on which transport has been selected by the LFC team for each regional game/tournament. Players will also be expected to participate in all team events that will be outlined in a tournament itinerary prior to departure to each event.

Each LFC team may designate chaperones. Chaperones will be required to travel and stay with their teams. Given the responsibility agreed to by the chaperone the team may decide to pay for the costs of travel for chaperone.  This may include travel, accommodation and meals and is at the discretion of the coach and guardians. This decision should be discussed as a group.

Please see the Chaperone responsibilities outlined above.

Chaperones will be required to:

• sign a chaperone code of conduct agreement
• complete a criminal record check
• provide a drivers abstract (approximate $25 cost)

Any parent interested in chaperoning an event will communicate with their manager prior to the scheduled event and the chaperones will then be selected by the team coach and manager.

Travel Tournament Dress Code:

• Players to have home and away kits with them for each game.
• Practice jerseys are to be worn for pre-game warm-up.
• The kits are to be kept clean and organized.
• LFC track suits are to be worn to and from tournament locations.