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• Joining Sonics

Welcome to Golden Hill Sonics

Junior & Youth Football Club

We are a popular club based in Bristol, set up and run predominantly by volunteers and parents. We provide football coaching and games for children aged 6-16 with an emphasis on fun and participation.If you are a parent/carer for one of our players, please above for the club ethos, operating policies and other documents.We are part of the wider Golden Hill Sports Association that includes the Golden Hill Cricket Club.

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Our Teams

If you are contacting the club about availability, please email the address for the age group you are interested in: e.g your child is in Year 3 = email under8s@goldenhillsonics.co.ukWhile we often have girls join Sonics, we do not have dedicated girls' teams. We are open to supporting an enthusiastic parent who wants to start up a girls' team/section at the club- please email chairman@goldenhillsonics.co.uk to discuss :)

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Child Welfare at Golden Hill Sonics

The Child Welfare Officer (CWO) at Golden Hill is Daniel Beasley-Suffolk. He can be contacted by email at cwo@goldenhillsonics.co.ukWe are backing the FA Play Safe campaign- click here to find out more.

THE SONICS FAMILY ARE HERE TO HAVE FUN AND PLAY FOOTBALL!

We also want to keep you safe and make sure you know there is help out there if you need it. You are a person as well as a player and the coaches have a duty of care to respect that. Your coaches’ role, as well as teaching you the ins and outs of football, includes:- being a good role model – leading by example at all times
- not speaking to you in a way that makes you feel uncomfortable
- not bullying you to make you do things
- treating you as an individual
thinking about you and your team mates and not just about winning or scoring goals
- making sure the pitch/playing area and equipment are safe for you to use
- having the right qualifications to coach youAll the adults involved with Sonics (coaches, referees, parents) should be role models for children and if they can remember this each week, then the game will be far more enjoyable for everyone!

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Parent & player info

From our chairman"At Golden Hill Sonics Football Club we believe that we have a unique set up, as some Clubs may measure their success in terms of the number of cups and trophies they win but we consider our success to be measured by the pleasure and opportunity given to local youngsters and them having the chance to participate in regular organised football activities at an affordable cost. This isn't to say we don't strive to achieve honours each season, but we don't want to sacrifice participation in the search for glory."

Golden Hill Sonics is a popular youth football club set up and run predominately by parents . The club provides football coaching and games for chilldren aged 6 to 18 with an emphasis on fun and participation . We have been very successful recently in terms of numbers of children enjoying their football , increased parental involvement in the running of the club and growing links with Golden Hill Sports as a whole.Our aim is to have fun. We want all the children to enjoy their football in a supportive positive environment. We hope that the children will gain in confidence, feel part of a team and benefit from both the physical and social rewards of sport.Parents/guardians must ensure the following:+ Children arrive with boots and shin pads
+ Children have suitable clothing and refreshments
+ Parents/carers of children in the younger year groups are expected to stay on site while their children are involved in the training sessions and matches.
+ Club membership fees are £90 for a season. These fees cover pitch rental, facilities, fully qualified coaches, grounds maintenance, insurance, equipment, plus your child will receive a full Sonics kit.
+ The maximum squad size will be 20 children with a waiting list created once this number has been reached.Please read our coaching ethos herePlease read our club operating mandate here

CLUB POLICIESEvery person who is involved with Golden Hill Sonics Football Club, whether as a player, coach, official or parent/carer, has a responsibility to act according to the highest standards of integrity, and to ensure that the high reputation of the club is maintained.Our values as club members are:1. Commitment to improvement – as individuals and as a team2. Respect for each other3. Team work and team play4. Playing by the laws and spirit of the game5. Enjoying our football and each other’s friendshipBreaches of ConductIf an individual wishes to report a breach of conduct, they should approach the relevant team coach. Where this is not appropriate, they should approach a member of the Committee. If a breach of conduct cannot be resolved in an informal manner, the Committee can be asked to formally consider the matter. The Committee will then take whatever action they deem to be necessary.The Child Welfare Officer (CWO) at Golden Hill is Dan Beasley-Suffolk who can be contacted by email cwo@goldenhillsonics.co.ukAs a Club we adhere to and implement the FA Respect Codes of Conduct. Please ensure that you have read the following:

Coaches, Team Managers, Club Officials:

• Click Here To Download

Spectators Parents/Carers:

• Click Here To Download

Young Players:

• Click Here To Download

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GET IN TOUCH & WHERE TO FIND US

Please note that dogs must be kept on leads at all times and in all areas of the ground.

Golden Hill Sports Ground, Wimbledon Road, Bristol, BS6 7YA

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Golden Hill Sonics Coaching Ethos

When your son or daughter joins Golden Hill Sonics we will treat them the same as everyone else, regardless of their ability. We want them to enjoy their experience at Sonics in a safe environment.We are a FA Charter Standard Club and are committed to having at least one FA qualified coach per year group. We aim to develop all the children as footballers by allowing them lots of time with a ball at their feet and using small sided games in training.We will allow them to experience playing in different positions and aim to ensure all the children haveequal playing time in matches. We encourage the children to bond as a team off the pitch as well as on it – we have children from lots of local schools so they make friends from different schools.On the pitch we encourage ‘playing out from the back’ and always praise effort as well as achievement. Most year groups don’t enter leagues until under 11’s, instead playing friendlies against other local clubs.When playing in competitive leagues we are committed to strong principles of fair play and respect. If your child joins us we very much hope they will keep playing right through to under 16’s and develop a love for the game.

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Golden Hill Sonics Club Mandate

1. NAME
The club shall be called Golden Hill Sonics Youth Football Club. (the “ Club “)2. OBJECTS
The objects of the Club shall be to arrange association football matches and social activities for its members.3. STATUS OF THE RULES
These rules (the Club Rules) form a biding agreement between each member of the Club.4. RULES AND REGULATIONS
(A) The Club shall have the status of an Affiliated Member Club of the Football Association by virtue of its membership of the Gloucestershire Football Association. The Rules and Regulations of the Football Association Limited and Gloucestershire Football Association and such league or competition to which the Club is affiliated for the time being shall be deemed to be incorporated into the Club Rules wherever they shall be deemed to be overriding. No alteration to the Club Rules shall be effective without prior written approval by the Golden Hill Sonics Club Committee and it's Parent Association (Golden Hill Sports).
(B) The Club will also abide by The Football Association’s Child Protection Policies and Procedures, Codes of Conduct and the Equal Opportunities and Anti- Discrimination Policy.
(C) All persons appointed to manage a club team (the ”Club Coaches”) shall agree to abide by a Code of Conduct for Coaches.5. CLUB MEMBERSHIP
(A) The members of the Club from time to time shall be those persons listed in the register of members (the Membership Register) which shall be maintained by the Club Secretary.
(B) Any person who wishes to be a member must apply on the Membership Application Form and deliver it to the club. Election to membership shall be at the sole discretion of the Club Committee (as hereafter defined). Membership shall become effective upon the applicants name being entered in the Membership Register.
(C) In the event of a members resignation or expulsion, his or her name shall be removed from the Membership Register.
(D) The Football Association and Parent County Association shall be given access to the Membership Register on demand.
(E) For the purposes of these Rules, the term “Member” shall be a playing Member, being an individual who has successfully applied to join the Club in a playing capacity or his/her parent(s) or legal guardian. The annual fee referred to in (6) shall be payable only in respect of a playing Member. The parent(s) or legal guardian of a playing Member shall be treated as acting for the playing Member as regards attendance at an AGM, SGM or at Club Committee/Executive Committee meetings.6. ANNUAL MEMBERSHIP FEE
(a) An annual fee payable by each member shall be determined from time to time by the Club Committee. Any fee shall be payable on a successful application for membership and annually by each member. Fees shall not be repayable. The Executive Committee (as hereafter defined) shall at its discretion determine a lower fee on grounds of financial hardship of a member or in respect of applications made after 1 January of that season.
(b) The Club Committee shall have the authority to levy further subscriptions from the members as are reasonably necessary to fulfil the objects of the Club.7. RESIGNATIONS AND EXPULSION
(a) A member shall cease to be a member of the Club if, and from the date on which he/she gives notice to the Club Committee of their resignation. A member whose annual membership fee or further subscription is more than 2 months in arrears will be required to have their membership reviewed by the Executive Committee.
(b) The Executive Committee shall have the power to expel a member when, in their opinion, it would not be in the interests of the Club for them to remain a member. There shall be no appeal procedures.
(c) A member who resigns or is expelled shall not be entitled to claim any, or any share of any of the Club property.7. CLUB COMMITTEE AND EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
(a) The Club Officers shall consist of the following : Chairperson, Vice Chairperson, Treasurer, Secretary, Assistant Secretary, Fund Raising Secretary and Child Welfare Officer. These Club Officers will be elected at an Annual General Meeting and will be known as the Executive Committee. They shall hold not less than 4 meetings a year. The Executive Committee shall from time to time include Special Members who will be appointed for set periods of time to assist with Club tasks.
(b) The Club Committee shall consist of the Club Officers /Executive Committee and the following Club Members : Team coaches or their declared representative.
(c) Each Club Officer and Club Committee member shall hold office from date of appointment until the next Annual General Meeting (AGM). One person may not normally hold more than 2 positions of Club Officer at any one time.
(d) The Executive Committee shall be responsible for the management of all the affairs of the Club. Decisions of the Executive Committee shall be made by simple majority of those attending the Executive Committee Meeting. The Chairperson of the Executive Committee shall have a casting vote in the event of a tie. Meetings of the Executive Committee shall be chaired by the Chairperson, or in their absence the Vice Chairperson. The quorum for the transaction of business of the Executive Committee shall be three.
(e) Decisions of the Executive Committee should be made available to the Club Committee members within 7 days of such meetings held. Decisions of the Executive Committee shall be entered into The Minute Book maintained by the Club Secretary.
(f) Meetings of the Club Committee shall be chaired by the Chairperson or in their absence the Vice Chairperson. Decisions of the Club Committee shall be made by a simple majority of those attending the Club Committee meeting. The Chairperson of the Club Committee shall have the casting vote in the event of a tie. The quorum for transaction of business of the Club Committee shall be not less than 4.
(g) Decisions of the Club Committee of meetings shall be entered into the Minute Book of the Club to be maintained by the Club Secretary.
(h) Any member of the Club Committee may call a meeting of the Club Committee by giving not less than 7 days notice to all members of the Club Committee. The Club Committee shall hold not less than 4 meetings a year. Any club coach absent from 3 consecutive meetings, without giving a satisfactory explanation in writing or sending a designated deputy, will be required to explain their absence to the Executive Committee whereby appropriate onward action will be taken.
(i) An outgoing member of the Club Committee may be re-elected. Any vacancy on the Club Committee which arises between the AGM’s shall be filled by a member proposed by one and seconded by another of the remaining Club Committee members and approved by a simple majority of the remaining Club Committee members.
(j) Any Club Committee members can attend meetings of the Executive Committee by advising the Chairperson of the Executive Committee in advance that they wish to attend. Club Committee members may not vote at Executive Committee meetings.
(k) Save as provided for in the Rules and Regulations of the Football Association and the Parent Association, the Executive Committee shall have the power to decide all questions and disputes arising in respect of any issue concerning the Club Rules.8. ANNUAL AND SPECIAL GENERAL MEETINGS
(a) An Annual general Meeting (AGM) shall be held in each year to :
• Receive a report of the activities of the Club over the previous year
• Receive a report of the Club’s finances over the previous year
• Elect the officers of the Club
• Consider any other business
(b) Nominations for the election of the Executive Committee as Club Officers shall be made in writing by the proposer and seconder both of whom must be existing members of the Club, to the Club Secretary no less than 7 days before the AGM. Notice of any resolution to be proposed at the AGM shall be given in writing to the Club Secretary not less than 21 days before the meeting.
(c) A Special General Meeting (SGM) may be called at any time by the Club Committee and shall be called within 21 days of the receipt by the Club Secretary of a requisition in writing signed by not less than 5 members stating the purposes for which the meeting is required and resolutions proposed. Business at a SGM may be business that may be transacted at an AGM.
(d) The Secretary shall send to each member written notice of the date of an AGM and/or a SGM together with the resolutions to be proposed at least 14 days before the meeting.
(e) The quorum for an AGM or SGM shall be 4 members.
(f) The Chairperson or in his absence a member selected by the Club Committee shall take the chair. Each member shall have one vote and resolutions shall be passed by a simple majority. In the event of an equality of votes the Chairman of the meeting shall have a casting vote.
(g) The Club Secretary, or in their absence a member of the Executive Committee shall enter minutes of AGM’s or SGM’s into the minute book of the Club.9. CLUB TEAMS
(a) At its first meeting following each AGM the Club Committee shall appoint or reconfirm the Club member who will be responsible for each of the Club’s football teams. The appointed member shall be responsible for managing the affairs of the team and will be required to nominate their deputy.
(b) The club colours for the team shall be yellow shirts and green shorts (or the second kit or third kits as available) and team shirts shall bear the Golden Hill Sonics club badge.10. CLUB FINANCES
(a) A bank account shall be opened and maintained in the name of the Club (the Club Account). Designated account signatories shall be the Club Chairman, Secretary and Treasurer. No sum shall be drawn from the Club Account except by cheque signed by 2 of the 3 designated signatories. All monies payable to the Club shall be received by the Treasurer and deposited in the Club Account. An annual audit shall be made of the Club accounts by an independent auditor approved by the AGM.
(b) The income and assets of the club (the Cub Property) shall be applied only in furtherance of the objects of the club.
(c) The Executive Committee shall have the power to authorise the payment and remuneration of expenses to any Member of the Club and to any other person or persons for services rendered to the Club. No remuneration is payable unless agreed in advance with the Treasurer and at least one other member of the Executive Committee. No remuneration is payable to any persons without a receipt.
(d) The Executive Committee shall prepare an annual financial statement in such form as shall be published by the Football Association from time to time.
(e) The Club Property , other than the Club Account shall be vested in not less than 2 and not more than 4 custodians, one of whom shall be the Treasurer, (the custodians) who shall deal with the Club Property as directed by decisions of the Executive Committee and entry in the Minute Book shall be conclusive evidence of such a decision.
(f) The custodians shall be appointed by the Club in an AGM or SGM and shall hold office until death or resignation unless removed by a resolution passed at an AGM or SGM.
(g) On their removal or resignation a custodian shall execute a conveyance in such form as is published by the Football Association from time to time to a newly elected custodian or existing custodians as directed by the Club. On the death of a custodian, any Club Property vested in them shall vest automatically in the surviving custodians. If there is only one surviving custodian, a Special General Meeting shall be convened as soon as possible to appoint another custodian.
(h) The custodians shall be entitled to an indemnity out of the Club Property for all expenses and other liabilities incurred by them in carrying out their duties.
(i) The Club shall hold a Public Liability Insurance on behalf of its members, this to be renewed each year, responsibility to ensure renewal lies with Club Secretary.11. CODES OF CONDUCT AND POLICIES
(a) The Club has responsibility to ensure the highest standards of its members and to ensure that the reputation of the Club and football remains high. The Club shall produce and review annually a ‘Child Safeguarding Policy’ and a ‘Child Discrimination Policy’.
(b) The Club shall produce and review annually Codes of Conduct relating to: Players, Coaches and Parent/Guardians
(c) Members of the Club are bound by the Codes of Conduct and Policies issued and non compliance will be treated as at Section 7
12. DISSOLUTION
(a) A resolution to dissolve the Club shall only be proposed at a General Meeting and shall be carried by a majority of at least three-quarters of those present.
(b) The dissolution shall take effect from the date of the resolution and the members of the Executive Committee shall be responsible for the winding up of the assets and liabilities of the Club.
(c) Any surplus assets remaining after the discharge of debts and liabilities of the Club shall be transferred to the Parent Association who shall determine how the assets will be utilised for the benefit of the game. Alternatively such assets may be disposed of in such a manner as the members of the Club with the consent of the Parent Association shall determine.CLUB POLICIES
Every person who is involved with Golden Hill Sonics Football Club, whether as a player, coach, official or parent/carer, has a responsibility to act according to the highest standards of integrity, and to ensure that the high reputation of the club is maintained.Our values as club members are:
1. Commitment to improvement – as individuals and as a team
2. Respect for each other
3. Team work and team play
4. Playing by the laws and spirit of the game
5. Enjoying our football and each other’s friendshipAs a Club we adhere to and implement the FA Respect Codes of Conduct. Please ensure that you have read the following:Coaches, Team Managers, Club Officials: Code of Conduct
Spectators Parents/Carers - Code of Conduct
Young Players - Code of Conduct
Breaches of ConductIf an individual wishes to report a breach of conduct, they should approach the relevant team coach. Where this is not appropriate, they should approach a member of the Committee. If a breach of conduct cannot be resolved in an informal manner, the Committee can be asked to formally consider the matter. The Committee will then take whatever action they deem to be necessary.The Child Welfare Officer (CWO) at Golden Hill is Dan Beasly-Suffolk who can be contacted by email cwo@goldenhillsonics.co.uk

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Joining SonicsWe are an inclusive & non-selective club. Most players join us as Under6s in Year 1 with sign-ups opening in the January of that year.We have a squad size of 20 in any year group and after that we operate waiting lists in the event of spaces becoming available.To enquire about spaces or to ask to be put on a waiting list for a particular age-group, please email the relevant team. All team email addresses are in the OUR TEAMS section.While we often have girls join Sonics, we do not have dedicated girls' teams. We are open to supporting an enthusiastic parent who wants to start up a girls team/section at the club- please email chairman@goldenhillsonics.co.uk to discuss :)

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We’re backing Play Safe

Golden Hill Sonics is lending its full support to Play Safe – a national FA-led campaign to raise awareness of the importance of safeguarding in football.Play Safe is being run in partnership with the NSPCC and has the full backing of the Premier League, EFL, Barclays FA Women’s Super League and the FA Women’s Championship. It’s also supported and being run across every other level of the game.The main element of Play Safe is a series of short films which emphasise the importance of clubs such as ours having safeguarding as an everyday reality. The films also explain to parents/carers and children themselves know what to do if they feel unsafe or worried, because nothing matters more than making sure football is safe for everyone, especially children and young people. You can see these films below.

“As a youth team coach, I will be working with my club to ensure we support the Play Safe messaging,” says FA Chief Executive Mark Bullingham. “I am also pleased that the campaign has the support of the former footballers with lived experience of abuse in football, who are on our Survivor Support and Safeguarding Advisory Group. The Group has collectively said:“Learning from the past is crucial, so that we can prevent the horrific experiences that happened to us and so many others in football, from happening again.“As a group of survivors, we fully support the ethos and important messages that Play Safe conveys – whether to club officials, parents/carers and or vitally, children and young people themselves. Equally important is that Play Safe is not a one-off campaign – it will be used at key points in the football calendar to remind everyone in football, that children’s welfare and keeping them safe, should be at the heart of all that we do.”As the Survivor Group points out, you’ll see Play Safe appearing at various points throughout the season to keep safeguarding front of mind in football. Together, we want to do everything we can so everyone – particularly children and young people – has a consistently positive experience of our great game.