A community-based football club

Founded in 1992 and based in Epsom, Surrey (UK), Christ Church United FC is a church-linked football club, run by unpaid volunteers to provide soccer coaching for boys and girls, regardless of their ability level.

The Club is recognised by the Football Association (FA) as a Mini-Soccer Centre, and its coaches hold appropriate FA coaching qualifications.

It forms a part of Christ Church’s outreach programme, and works with other sporting and voluntary organisations so that links between the Church and the local community are maintained and developed through sport.


Membership fees

The registration fee covers the whole season (September to May).

MembershipFee for the season
Individual Membership
£50
Family Membership
£70

The fee for one child is £40 (individual membership), but two or more children from the same family can join for £60 (family membership), so it won’t break the bank if lots of brothers and sisters want to join the Club!

The registration fee is the Club’s main source of income to cover the following costs:

  • Hire of the Blenheim High School facilities (astroturf and grass pitches/playing areas)
  • Equipment (footballs, goals, kits, training bibs, etc)
  • Affiliation to the Surrey County FA
  • Competition/tournament fees
  • Awards and trophies
  • Coaches’ training
  • Public liability insurance

We believe the registration fee represents excellent value for money compared with other football clubs and sporting/social activities for children in the Epsom area.


Location | Dates | Times

Football coaching takes place at Blenheim High School in Epsom (Surrey, UK - KT19 9BH) on Saturdays between 9am and 10.30am during the school term-time. The 2022/23 season runs from 10th September to 201th May.

Parents and carers are asked to note that children should arrive no earlier than 8.45am and be collected promptly when coaching finishes at 10.30am. Neither the Club nor the School is responsible for the safety and well-being of children outside these times.


Code of Conduct

The Club has always believed in and encouraged a ‘code of conduct’ based on sensible and responsible behaviour and good sportsmanship at all times.

In line with guidance from the FA, we have formalised this philosophy in three Codes of Conduct - covering Coaches, Players and Parents/Carers.

You can read the Code of Conduct here and summaries are included in the membership pack.

Please read them carefully, and see any of the Team Managers if you have any concerns or comments.


Lose Respect | Lose the Game

Equality

The Club is committed to providing an opportunity for children to play football, regardless of their gender, sexual orientation, ethnicity, colour, nationality, religious belief or ability level.

We expect everyone associated with the Club to treat other people fairly and with respect.


Safeguarding Children

The Club’s policy on Safeguarding Children reflects the requirements and guidance of both the FA and the Church of England (Guildford Diocese).

It covers the appointment and training of coaches, CRB check requirements, first aid, procedures at coaching sessions, and arrangements for transporting children to/from tournaments and matches.

We have a nominated Child Welfare Officer (Paul Mady) who keeps abreast of developments and provides advice to the Club.

Please see the separate our Safeguarding Children page on this site for more information about procedures at coaching sessions.


Data Protection

The Club is committed to protecting the information you provide. It will be stored securely and used solely for the running of the Club. It may be provided to the FA (football’s governing body) but otherwise it will not be released outside the Club. By joining the Club, you are accepting these arrangements.


Dress code (what to wear to coaching sessions)

All Club members should wear suitable clothing and footwear, both on and off the pitch. Members should bring a pair of trainers (or astroturf boots) as well as football boots. Shin-pads must be worn at all times. Trainers or astroturf boots must be worn on the astroturf pitch (studded football boots are not permitted).

We strongly advise that children playing on the astroturf pitch wear long-sleeved tops and track-suit/jogging bottoms, as friction burns from falls on astroturf are painful and can take a long time to heal.


Away matches and tournaments

Arrangements for getting children to and from away fixtures are made on a case-by-case basis by the relevant Team Manager(s). We welcome the support of parents who are able to help with transport and supervision. We need mothers as well as fathers, as we frequently have girls as well as boys in our teams.

In line with the Club’s Safeguarding Children policy, there should be at least two children in a car at all times, unless a parent has given permission for his/her child to travel alone with another adult (parent or coach).


"Kids v Coaches & Parents" Games

The Club plays ‘Kids v Coaches & Parents’ fun matches from time to time, typically just before the Christmas break and at the end of the season.

Experience has shown that the children enjoy these events greatly - especially as they usually win! However, any parent/carer who would prefer their child not to take part in these matches should inform the relevant Team Manager.


Photography and use of images

Parents and carers are welcome to take photographs of their children playing football at the Club. From time to time, the Club may arrange for photographs to be taken for publicity purposes (eg. the Club’s website and newsletters). Pictures will be of groups of players rather than individuals. Any images used will not be accompanied by the players’ names. Please contact the Chairman or Child Welfare Officer if you have any concerns or questions.


Age-groups

Coaching is split into a number of age-groups, from the Shooting Stars (entry at age 5) to the U15s. All groups are open to boys and girls.


Communication

To reduce the time and expense involved in communicating by phone or post, our preferred method of keeping you informed of the Club’s activities is via email and using the Club’s website. Please provide an active email address that you use regularly, and let us know if you change it during the season.

Check the website every Friday evening for the latest news - for example, if we need to call off a training session due to bad weather.