WORCESTER KNIGHTS YOUTH FOOTBALL CLUB
Trust, teamwork and bravery.
ABOUT US
Worcester Knights Youth FC was established in 2025 and plays home matches at Perdiswell Leisure Centre, Worcester, on a state-of-the-art 4G pitch.
With access to Veo match analysis technology, ample parking, and onsite coffee shop and toilet facilities, we provide a great environment for players, parents, and supporters alike.
We may be a new club, but our ambition is clear: to create a high-level grassroots football environment where young players can thrive.
Our mission is simple:
To be the best U11s grassroots team in the West Midlands, with the highest standards and a distinct style of play.
OUR PHILOSOPHY
EFFORT
We believe that effort is the foundation of progress. Every training session and every match is an opportunity to give 100%. At Worcester Knights, we celebrate players who work hard, chase every ball, and show resilience even when the game gets tough. Effort is what drives development, and nobody outworks us.
BEHAVIOUR
The way we conduct ourselves matters, both on and off the pitch. Knights players are expected to show respect to teammates, coaches, opponents, and referees at all times. Good behaviour builds trust, strengthens our team ethic, and makes us proud representatives of Worcester Knights wherever we play.
DEVELOPMENT
We are a team that is restless about improving. Whether it’s learning a new skill, understanding tactics, or making better decisions under pressure, development is at the heart of everything we do. Every player is encouraged to push their limits, learn from mistakes, and grow into the best footballer and teammate they can be.
Club Rules & Constitution
Worcester Knights YFC operates under a formal Constitution that incorporates and follows the FA’s official Club Rules, including their safeguarding, equality, conduct and governance requirements. As a youth football club affiliated to Worcestershire FA, we adopt these rules in full to ensure that every aspect of how we run the club meets national standards for safety, fairness, transparency and accountability.
Our Constitution outlines:
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How the club is structured and governed
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How membership is managed
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The responsibilities of committee members and coaches
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Financial management expectations
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The safeguarding and welfare framework we follow
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How complaints, concerns and disputes are handled
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Behaviour expected of players, parents, carers and coaches
These rules form a binding agreement between the club and its members. They exist to protect children, support volunteers, and ensure that Worcester Knights YFC operates with professionalism, clarity and consistency at all times.
We are a volunteer-run grassroots club, and adopting the FA’s full governance framework ensures that even as a small organisation, we maintain the same standards expected of all affiliated clubs nationwide.
Our FA Policies
At Worcester Knights YFC we don’t reinvent the wheel – we adopt the FA’s own policies so that everything we do is aligned with national best practice for youth football.
Below are the key FA policies we have formally adopted:
FA Football Leadership Diversity Code
Access here.
A framework to make sure football leadership, coaching and decision-making roles are open to a wider, more diverse range of people, and that selection is based on merit from as broad a talent pool as possible.
FA Safeguarding Children Policy (Youth Teams)
Access here.
Sets out how clubs with youth teams must safeguard anyone under 18 – including safer recruitment, clear reporting routes, and procedures for dealing with concerns about a child’s welfare.
FA Equality Policy
Confirms that football is for everyone and must be free from discrimination. The policy requires clubs to treat everyone fairly and with respect, and to make activities accessible regardless of characteristics such as sex, race, disability, religion or belief.
The Grassroots Code
A behaviour code for everyone involved in grassroots football – players, coaches, parents and spectators – focused on positive conduct, respect for referees and opponents, and making football safe and enjoyable for all.
SAFEGUARDING AND WELFARE HUB
Creating a safe, positive and supportive environment for every child.
Worcester Knights YFC is a small, family-run grassroots football club built on respect, inclusion and wellbeing. We are committed to ensuring that every child who plays for our club enjoys football in a safe, supportive and fully transparent environment.
This Safeguarding & Welfare Hub sets out all of our policies, codes of conduct and reporting procedures. Everything here is published openly so parents, carers and players always know what to expect from us, and what we expect from them.
If you ever need guidance, have a question, or wish to raise a concern, we are here and available.
Key Contacts:
WORCESTERSHIRE FA SAFEGUARDING TEAM
01905 827 137
NSPCC CHILDLINE
0800 1111 (for children)
We believe that:
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Children must always feel safe, respected and supported.
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Parents and carers must feel informed and involved.
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Coaches and volunteers must act with integrity, fairness and transparency.
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All concerns, big or small, must be taken seriously and dealt with promptly.
As a single-team club led by a husband-and-wife coaching and welfare team, we are highly accessible and aim to maintain clear communication with all families. Every safeguarding matter is handled in line with FA procedures, and all documentation is recorded and available on request. You can read through more details on our qualifications below.
Welfare Officer
Vanessa Parkes – Club Welfare Officer & Secretary
safeguardingworcesterknights@outlook.com
Vanessa is fully trained and accredited by The FA to oversee all safeguarding matters for the club and to act as the first point of contact for children, parents, carers and volunteers.
Vanessa has completed the following FA Safeguarding and DBS requirements, all of which are current and compliant:
Safeguarding Children Training
• Completed: 28 April 2025
• Expires: 28 April 2027
• Status: Compliant
Safeguarding for Committee Members
• Completed: 22 April 2025
• Expires: 22 April 2035
• Status: Compliant
Welfare Officer Training (WOT)
• Completed: 12 May 2025
• Status: Compliant
Enhanced FA DBS Check
• Completed: 7 May 2025
• Expires: 7 May 2028
• Status: Compliant
Vanessa refreshes and updates her safeguarding qualifications in line with FA requirements to ensure best practice is upheld at all times.
Coaching & Safeguarding Compliance
Jez Parkes - Head Coach & Chairperson
teamworcesterknights@outlook.com
Our Head Coach, Jez Parkes, is fully trained, accredited and compliant with all FA safeguarding requirements for working with children in grassroots football.
Jez ensures that every training session and match is delivered in a safe, positive and development-focused environment.
Jez has completed the following FA safeguarding and DBS requirements:
Safeguarding Children Training
• Completed: 17 February 2025
• Expires: 17 February 2027
• Status: Compliant
Safeguarding for Committee Members
• Completed: 2 April 2025
• Expires: 2 April 2035
• Status: Compliant
Enhanced FA DBS Check
• Completed: 13 March 2025
• Expires: 13 March 2028
• Status: Compliant
As Head Coach and Club Chairperson, Jez is committed to upholding:
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A safe and welcoming environment for all children
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Consistent safeguarding standards at every football activity
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Clear communication with parents and carers
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FA Respect values at all matches and training sessions
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Immediate referral of any concerns to the Club Welfare Officer or the FA
His safeguarding training is refreshed regularly to ensure the highest standards of practice are maintained.
POLICIES + DOCUMENTS
All club policies are available below for parents, carers and players to review at any time.
Protects all players and outlines how concerns are handled.
Sets clear expectations for behaviour and relationships within the team.
FA Respect Codes of Conduct
Parents & Carers | Players | Coaches & Volunteers
Photography & Filming Policy (Veo)
How and when filming is used & consent requirements.
Data Protection & Privacy Policy
How we store children’s information securely.
Complaints & Escalation Procedure
Clear steps for handling and resolving concerns.
Risk management for training and matches.
What happens in the event of an injury or emergency.
HOW TO RAISE A CONCERN
If you have a concern about a child, a parent, a coach, or any aspect of safeguarding, you can contact us at any time. No issue is too big or too small.
We follow the FA’s four-step safeguarding approach:
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Respond: listen and take concerns seriously
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Report: pass information to the Club Welfare Officer
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Record: factual, accurate, secure
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Refer: escalate to FA Safeguarding when required
For transparency, safeguarding concerns may be referred directly to Worcestershire FA without informing all parties, in line with best practice and statutory guidelines.
Contact Jez, Chairman and Head Coach: teamworcesterknights@outlook.com
Contact Vanessa, Child Welfare Officer and Company Secretary: safeguardingworcesterknights@outlook.com
WELFARE EXPECTATIONS FOR EVERYONE
Worcester Knights YFC is built on respect. We expect:
From players:
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Try your best
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Support your teammates
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Respect referees and opponents
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Speak kindly and listen well
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Tell a trusted adult if something feels wrong
From parents & carers:
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Encourage without pressuring
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Trust the coaching decisions
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Allow children to learn from mistakes
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Speak respectfully to all volunteers
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Raise concerns calmly and through the correct channels
From coaches & volunteers:
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Prioritise child welfare
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Model positive behaviour
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Communicate honestly and clearly
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Follow all FA safeguarding standards
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Create a fun, inclusive environment for every child
OUR SPONSORS
Compass Fostering
I A Play Solutions
Fast Feet Futsal
Scimitar
