We’re backing Play SafeKirk Deighton Rangers Junior Football Club 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.
In memory of those who gave their lives in time in time of war and conflict.
They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old: Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn. At the going down of the sun and in the morning, We will remember them.
Be Kind Champions wanted
People in the grassroots game should be proud of the environment they create for kids. Sadly, however, there are still people involved in clubs, or who are connected to clubs who choose to behave in ways that are simply unacceptable and inexcusable. The West Riding FA represents over 90,000 people (players, coaches, referees, volunteers) and hundreds of matches take place at the weekend across the county. They are looking to recruit a group of individuals to act as BE KIND CHAMPIONS and work with the West Riding FA to help create child centered environments that we can all be proud of. The role of the Be Kind Champion will be to attend junior football matches and provide post-match feedback, good and bad, on their experience at the game. If you are interested click here for more information.
The FA has published codes of conduct for everyone involved in junior football, whether they be match officials, club officials, managers, coaches, players or spectators. Please read these and help us to ensure that at KDR we always create a fun, safe and inclusive environment for our players, both on and off the pitch.
A new sponsor for the Under 7s
Sunday 5th September 2021
We are delighted to welcome Parker Young Recruitment as new kit sponsors for our Under 7s team. Company founder Dave Young joined us at Grange Park this morning to present the team with their new shirts and to watch the first match in their smart new kit.
New players wanted
Some of our teams are actively looking for new players to join them this season
U12s (school year 7) are looking for 2-3 players (all abilities) to help us improve our already talented team. If you are interested, please text Chris Barty 07854 276001 or Paul Brook 07444 538379.
U14s (school year 9) are newly promoted to the top division of the Garforth League, playing football at a high level and are hoping to recruit additional players to complement an already talented group of players. If you’re interested in playing competitive football at a high standard, please contact Stu Meaking 07935 666750 or Richard Saltmarsh 07711 022087.
Make sure you're prepared. Take the FA's Sudden Cardiac Arrest course
Unfortunately, as we saw in the Denmark v Finland game at Euro 2020, a sudden cardiac arrest can happen to anyone. The Football Association's Sudden Cardiac Arrest course is designed to help you to recognise an SCA and respond appropriately. You can access the course here. The course is free, you just need to register an account with the FA if you don't already have one.
RICHARD JONES
It is with huge sadness that we announce the untimely passing of Richard Jones on January 13th 2021. Richard was a coach and regular referee for the U12s, having been involved with the club since his son Frankie joined KDR JFC as a U7. As well as being involved in junior football Richard was also active in junior rugby at Wetherby RUFC as Vice Chairman of the Mini Junior Section and Head Coach of the U12s. Richard is survived by his wife Anna, daughter Carmen and son Frankie. We offer them our sincere condolences.
Richard's funeral was held February 11th at St James' Parish Church in Wetherby. The funeral procession drove from Richard’s house through Wetherby town centre and then to Grange Park. Our players and other club members were invited to wear their club kit and line the route from over the bridge and along the drive into Grange Park.
After the funeral we received a letter from Mel Jones, Richard's father:
I simply want to say THANK YOU and how much we appreciated the unbelievable turn out at Grange Park by KDRJFC last week.
It was most touching and greatly appreciated to see all those young lads, coaches and committee in their full kit. It brought tears to my eyes and I will remember it forever.
Please say a big Thank you to all your membership for their support, tributes and donations which will be put to good use.
Thank you all so much
MEL & ELIZABETH
The U7s team in 2015. Richard is second from left in the back row.
Papa John's Pizza Ad filmed at Grange Park
Eagle eyed TV viewers may have noticed something familiar about the new Papa John's Pizza commercial. The ad was filmed at Grange Park in the autumn of 2019. If you look closely you may spot some of our players in the background.
