Setting up a club

Setting Up a Club

Setting Up a Club

The Jersey Football Association would be pleased to provide advice to anyone looking to create a new club in the island. One of our key aims is to increase participation.

We're here to support you with the affiliation process and the key steps towards launching your team(s). 

Creating a club can be a rewarding endeavour to provide players with opportunities to play. You will, however, need to fulfill a number of obligations to ensure your club is set up in a safe environment.

Contact

Jonathan Le Fondre, Football Services Manager

Email: jonathan.lefondre@jerseyfa.com

Phone: 01534 760433

The First Steps for setting up a club...

Clubs must appoint a Chairman, Treasurer and Secretary to enable the club to function effectively within Jersey FA Rules and Regulations. It is also suggested that other people are appointed to assist in other administrative areas of the club.

As a new club it will be important to raise funds to run the club and initially these will probably be from player memberships and subscriptions. It is also advisable to produce a list of costs to run your team which will help you create a budget of income and expenditure for the season.

It is important that clubs are fully knowledgeable about the rules of each competition that they may wish to enter. All discipline at grassroots level in the island is administered by the Jersey Football Association and the Secretary of the club is responsible to ensure that all players are eligible to play. If clubs have any doubts about player eligibility, for example suspensions, they should contact us for details. For youth teams, it is important to be aware of child protection safeguards, and advice is available from our Designated Safeguarding Officer.

It is compulsory for all affiliated clubs in Jersey to be covered by Public Liability Insurance and Personal Accident Insurance. Details of these are provided by the Jersey FA during the affiliation process.

Equipment 3 Masthead
THE Second STEPS FOR SETTING UP A CLUB...

A Club will need to affiliate to a parent County Football Association (this is decided by where the home ground is situated and the league it wishes to join).

Please note that it is now mandatory for all Clubs with youth sections to have an appointed Club Welfare Officer. This is also recommended for Adult Clubs with under 18 players. Requirements and further information can be found on the Clubs Safeguarding page.

Fixtures are administered by the appropriate competition secretary, who advises clubs of forthcoming matches.

In addition to the JFA Combination League, the Jersey FA runs cup competitions which give an opportunity for teams to play against clubs from different divisions.

Please make sure you read the relevant rules relating to the league/competition entered to ensure you abide by them. Each league/competition may vary with regard to their requirements. If in doubt contact the league/competition organisers.

Purchase suitable equipment prior to the start of your fixtures and ensure you have sufficient equipment for all teams in your club. The necessary equipment will include, playing strip, first aid kit, nets and balls.

See below the Club Action Timetable which covers tasks in pre-season, tasks prior to the day of the game, task on the day of the game, discipline and the club annual general meeting (AGM).

Ensure you pass on results of your matches to comply with competition regulations. For the Jersey FA Combination competitions, the results are submitted by clubs via the Matchday App or Full-Time website following the final whistle. All clubs are recommended to establish good relationships with the local press to publish results, match reports and possibly just interesting stories about their club. Good PR will help raise the profile of your club, bring in new players and may even attract some sponsorship.

Safeguarding Paperwork Small Promo
Club Action Timetable...

  • Players: Ensure each team has enough players registered for each team.
  • Affiliation: Complete and forward the appropriate documentation and fees to the Jersey FA and any other competitions.
  • Facilities: Arrange pitch(es) which comply with appropriate league regulations and specifications. It is also prudent to arrange/book training facilities early.
  • Meetings: Organise club/team meetings (eg. Weekly Training, Monthly Management Meeting, AGM). Also attend relevant league or County FA meetings when required.
  • Registration: Ensure all players are registered with the appropriate league (forms will be available from the league). Up to date photographs may be required.
  • Friendly Fixtures: Arrange fixtures with secretaries of other affiliated clubs and notify the County FA for approval.
  • Subscription: Set a subscription for players and members to meet your costs for the season. Carry out fund raising (appropriate to the club).
  • Delegation: Club Secretaries/Team Managers should seek support from other members to spread the administrative workload where practical.

  • Confirm Fixture eg. kick-off time, colours, directions to ground, availability of pitch with groundsman, match officials.

  • Pitch: Ensure pitch is safe and correctly prepared with nets, flags, markings and access to appropriate changing facilities.
  • Match Officials: Ensure match officials have been paid (home team only).
  • Refreshments: Provide refreshments where appropriate.
  • Medical Bag: Further details can be found on the Pitch Side Medical Bag page
  • Results: Ensure the result is submitted via Full-Time, the Matchday App or other requested method within the designated time. 

  • Disciplinary Procedures: This is an ongoing task throughout the season. The secretary and players must complete and return appropriate documentation with fines. A record should be kept of players' discipline and ensure any suspended players do not play.

  • AGM: Arrange AGM and/or presentation evening.

The FA Respect

Respect

The FA's Respect programme provides a series of tools for leagues, clubs, coaches, players and parents from grassroots to elite football - to help ensure a safe, positive environment in which to play the game.