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ANTI-BULLYING POLICY (UK)

Last Updated: April 23, 2026

STATEMENT OF INTENT

We Make Footballers, along with our independently owned and operated franchise locations, is committed to providing a caring, friendly, and safe environment for all staff, players, and their families so they can participate in football in a relaxed and secure atmosphere.

Bullying of any kind is unacceptable. If bullying does occur, all staff, players, and their families should know that incidents can be reported and will be dealt with promptly and effectively by local academy management.

WHAT IS BULLYING?

Bullying is the use of aggression with the intention of hurting another person, resulting in pain and distress to the victim. Bullying can be:

  • Emotional: being unfriendly, excluding others, sending hurtful messages, or tormenting someone.
  • Physical: pushing, kicking, hitting, punching, or any use of violence.
  • Racist: racial taunts, graffiti, or gestures.
  • Sexist: targeting someone because of their sex or gender.
  • Sexual: unwanted physical contact or sexually abusive comments.
  • Homophobic/Transphobic: targeting someone because of their sexual orientation or gender identity.
  • Verbal: name-calling, sarcasm, spreading rumours, or teasing.
  • Cyberbullying: harassment via social media, text, or online platforms.

WHY IS IT IMPORTANT TO RESPOND TO BULLYING?

Bullying hurts. No one deserves to be a victim of bullying, and everyone has the right to be treated with respect. At We Make Footballers, our aim is to develop great players who perform well and have the right attitude. Bullying will not be tolerated under any circumstances.

OBJECTIVES OF THIS POLICY

  1. All staff, coaches, volunteers, and families should have a clear understanding of what bullying is and what the reporting procedures are.
  2. Players and families should be assured they will be supported when bullying is reported.
  3. Failure to follow this policy by any player, parent, or staff member may result in disciplinary action, up to and including dismissal or being asked to leave the programme.

SIGNS AND INDICATORS

A child may show signs that they are being bullied. Adults should be aware of and investigate if a child:

  1. Says they are being bullied, or is suddenly unwilling to attend training sessions.
  2. Becomes withdrawn, anxious, or lacking in confidence.
  3. Returns home with damaged clothing or equipment, or has possessions go missing.
  4. Asks for money or starts stealing money.
  5. Has unexplained cuts or bruises.

In more serious cases: cries themselves to sleep, stops eating, becomes unusually aggressive, or threatens self-harm. These signs may indicate other problems, but bullying should always be considered and investigated.

PROCEDURES & REPORTING

Each We Make Footballers academy is independently owned and operated.

  1. Local Reporting: All bullying incidents should be reported immediately to the local franchise’s Club Welfare Officer (CWO) or a senior member of staff on site.
  2. Investigation & Timeline: The local franchise will investigate the behaviour as quickly as possible. The academy and/or Head Office reserve a reasonable amount of time to conduct a thorough investigation, interview relevant parties, and review any available evidence before a final decision is reached. Parents or guardians of the involved children will be informed and may be asked to discuss the situation.
  3. Action & Disciplinary Measures: We Make Footballers reserves the right to determine the appropriate response based on the severity of the incident. While we may attempt to help an individual change their behaviour, we are under no obligation to provide a second chance or a warning period. In cases of serious or persistent bullying, the local franchise reserves the right to immediately and permanently ban the individual from the programme without notice.
  4. Parent & Guardian Conduct: Our commitment to a safe environment extends to the behaviour of adults. We Make Footballers reserves the right to remove any parent or guardian from the programme if their conduct — towards coaches, players, or other families — violates our Code of Conduct or interferes with the safe operation of our sessions.
  5. Severe Incidents: In cases of serious physical harm or abuse, local Police or Children’s Social Care will be consulted by the local franchise for advice.
  6. Corporate Escalation: If a local concern is not resolved, or if an adult is reported to be bullying a minor, please contact our head office at [email protected]. We take these reports seriously and will require the local franchise to take appropriate action.

If any adult within the organisation feels they are experiencing workplace bullying, they should report it to their local franchise owner or employer according to their local grievance procedures.

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