Anti-Bullying

Last reviewed: 31 August 2026

Every child has the right to enjoy their football in a safe, friendly and positive environment. Urmston Town Juniors FC does not tolerate bullying of any kind — by or towards players, coaches, volunteers or parents — and we take every report of bullying seriously. This policy sits alongside our Safeguarding Children policy and The FA's Grassroots Code.

1. What we mean by bullying

Bullying is the repetitive, intentional hurting of one person or group by another person or group, where the relationship involves an imbalance of power. It can happen face-to-face or online. A one-off harmful incident may not meet this definition, but we will still take it seriously. Bullying can be:

• Physical — hitting, pushing, or any use of force.
• Verbal — name-calling, insults, mocking, or threats.
• Emotional — leaving someone out, spreading rumours, or humiliating them.
• Discriminatory — targeting someone because of their race, religion, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, disability or any other characteristic (see our Equality policy).
• Sexual or sexist — unwanted sexual comments, gestures, images or contact; this may also be a safeguarding matter.
• Online (cyberbullying) — hurtful messages, posts or images shared through phones, social media or team chats.

2. Our commitment

In line with The FA's Respect programme and Grassroots Code (englandfootball.com/respect), everyone at the club is expected to treat others with respect. We will:

• make clear to players, coaches and parents that bullying is never acceptable;
• take any report of bullying seriously and act on it — we will not dismiss it as "banter" or "part of the game";
• support the child who has been bullied, and work with the child who has bullied to change their behaviour;
• involve parents and carers where it is safe and appropriate to do so;
• treat serious or repeated bullying as a safeguarding matter, and follow our Safeguarding policy.

3. How to report bullying

• Tell a coach or team manager — they will listen and pass it on appropriately.
• Contact our Club Welfare Officer — Lizzy Dickson, safeguarding@urmstontownjfc.co.uk.
• If you'd rather raise it outside the club, or it's serious — Manchester FA's Designated Safeguarding Officer, Safeguarding@ManchesterFA.com (full routes on our Safeguarding Children page).
• If it may be a crime (for example assault or a hate crime) — police 999 (emergency) or 101 (non-emergency).
• If you are a child or young person — Childline, 0800 1111, childline.org.uk.
• For information and advice on bullying, the Anti-Bullying Alliance is a helpful resource. Parents and carers can also use the contacts on our Safeguarding Children page, including the NSPCC Helpline.

4. What happens next

When a report is made, we will listen and take it seriously, look into what has happened, and agree what needs to change. We will record the report, our assessment, the action taken and the outcome, and check whether the bullying has stopped. We will support those affected, involve parents and carers where safe and appropriate, and — where the behaviour is serious or continues — take it through our Safeguarding process and, if necessary, to Manchester FA. We cannot promise confidentiality: information will be shared only with those who need it to address the report, keep a child safe, make a referral, or meet our legal or safeguarding obligations.

5. Related policies

• Safeguarding Children
• Equality
• Complaints Procedure
• Privacy Policy

6. Review

This policy is reviewed at least once a year, and sooner if FA guidance or the law changes. The date at the top shows when it was last reviewed.