Know Your Rights
Knowing your rights as a 16 – 17-year-old in adult football
A child is someone who has not yet reached their 18th birthday. Once they turn 18, they are legally an adult.
• The FA, County FAs and football clubs should always ask parents/carers if it’s ok for their children to get involved in football activity.
• 16 – 17-year olds will usually be asked to make their own decision about getting involved (self-consent). In some exceptional circumstances parents/carers may also be asked.
Know Your Rights
Manchester FA runs a number of initiatives relating to youth engagement specifically. Safeguarding is at the heart of everything that we do, and it is vital to us that The Voice of the Child is heard throughout the decision-making process in grassroots football.
Manchester FA Young Leaders Academy
Children have the right:
• To feel safe both online and offline;
• To healthy relationships and appropriate boundaries;
• Not to be bullied, harassed or intimidated;
• Not to feel uncomfortable or unsafe;
• Not to be discriminated against because of your age, gender, gender reassignment, ethnicity, sexual orientation, marital status or civil partnership, faith, ability or disability, pregnancy and maternity.
At Manchester FA, safeguarding is at the heart of everything we do. If you have a safeguarding question or concern, get in touch with us below.