FFF Recreational Football REPS' HANDBOOK

You are the point of contact for your session on the night, along with the other reps for that session. Usually we have 2 or 3 reps per sessions so that there's cover every week and the workload is shared. For any questions about subscriptions or admin please direct them to FFF Support, but on the night you're the face of FFF. 

We ask that reps arrive in plenty of time to prepare for the session and to check the kit and equipment. 10-15 minutes before the session starts is usually enough.

There are a wide variety of commercial football operators around, many of whom use poor quality and badly maintained equipment. FFF was founded on the basis that we would always use top quality equipment in good condition. It's the least people should expect and we spend a lot of money on quality equipment. If anything is broken or damaged, let us know and we'll make sure it is stocked and replaced.

At an FFF session everyone who turns up plays a game, no subs, no selection, we all play. Before the session reps should monitor the Heja group, chase people up who haven't responded, and then decide on the number of games and teams sizes, bearing in mind a few people always fail to use Heja properly. Preparing early helps the session get going quickly, nobody likes standing around especially when it's cold.

If you've ever experienced it, one the most unpleasant things in sport is to wear a bib that is bathed in the sweat of the previous player or one that smells of the previous player's armpits. All used bibs should be washed straight after the session, every time and ideally tumble dried. If you could use a bit of fabric conditioner to add a pleasant fragrance for our players, that would be excellent.

When you reach a certain age sport is about participation, enjoyment, and being a part of something. Winning at all costs is less important. We want all players to enjoy our sessions. Believe or not lots of new players are nervous about their first session, so we want to create a welcoming and comfortable environment. Simple things, shake hand, introduce yourself, buddy them up with someone, make them feel special.

If there is anything at all wrong with the venues we use then let us know. Whether it's the floodlights, the nets, the surface, the changing rooms, let us know. We pay significant sums to the venues for pitch hire so we need to point out when something isn't right. If there's something dangerous then please raise it with the venue immediately, with the emergency contact or with FFF. If there is something obvious the prevents play then don't risk it, don't play.

Heja is our attendance app. Every session has it's own Heja group and that's the reps' bible for player attendance. Using the app on the day of the session you can prompt players to indicate their attendance and you can also remind through the relevant WhatsApp group. If there are repeat non-responders we need to reinforce how important it is to respond so we organise teams efficiently.

With a proper warm up and some stretches typical football injuries are avoidable. Serious injuries are rare, and we don't have an excessive number of injuries in general. There will however definitely be occasions where we are called upon to help players with injuries. All kit bags have a basic first aid kit that will help with a cut above the eye or a sling, but for more serious injuries the player should be taken to hospital or an ambulance called. There's more information on first aid below.

As a rep you are in a unique situation to see and hear what players think. If there's anything that you're hearing that would be useful feedback then let us know. Equally if there's something you're thinking about, let us know. FFF is community of like-minded people and that collective brain often has some great ideas.

We regularly welcome new players to each of our sessions. Often players can be nervous about joining a new session so we ask that our reps look out for them and put them at ease, explaining some of the basic rules of the road. Even though we send out extensive instructions players often don't read them and turn up late so look out for players hovering by the side of the pitch. Take them under your wing if you can.

Running an FFF session isn't complicated but you need to be organised; is the kit ready, are the balls pumped, is the first aid kit stocked, have I reviewed Heja, how long does it take to get there, where will I park? 

Again, running a session isn;t complicated but you need the confidence to make quick decision to get the session running. You also need the confidence to diffuse situations periodically and to be assertive with venues if things aren't as they need to be.

In spite of FFF players being grown adults you'd be surprised how many need very specific instructions. You need to communicate efficiently and clearly with people. You will also need to welcome new players to sessions and help them settle in.

Without stating the bleeding' obvious, the bibs need washing every week, and ideally tumble drying. Your spouse or partner will moan at you if they're hanging all around the house or taking up precious drying space. 

Less a skill, more a condition really. A heavy kit bag, and half a dozen balls are difficult to carry on a push bike. You'll need a car or other suitable vehicle, unless you live directly adjacent to or at least very close to the venue.

If you regularly travel for work or only come once a month that's not enough to be a rep. We all have occasions when we can't attend but reps need to be available for 90% of the sessions i.e. 40+ sessions a year.

Players pay for our sessions so don't want to be kept hanging about. Turn up around 15 minutes before the session to organise teams, bibs and to ensure the venue is ready i.e. are the floodlights on?

Again, players pay for our sessions so treat them as customers. if they have a problem try to resolve it amicably. During the games, encourage players as much as possible, ensure people are taking their fair share of time in goal, ask the excessively over competitive to keep it calm. Always pull people up on poor behaviour or consistent foul play.

As a session rep wearing FFF kit you are an extension of the brand. The FFF brand stands for inclusivity, well being, enjoyment, health and safety and community spirit. We want people to go home having enjoyed their exercise, injury free, and desperate to come again or even to join another session.