Match Day Programme

We would like to wish all guests a warm welcome to Bedford Modern School and hope you enjoy today’s sport and hospitality. May we also take this opportunity to thank you in advance for your support of the young people representing their teams today.

Please feel free to visit upstairs in the King Room for refreshments. Please note players are catered for separately.

We would also like to provide a gentle reminder of our sporting ethos and our joint responsibility to uphold the core principles in terms of our attitude and behaviour, before during and after each sporting event.

Match day is inevitably an exciting occasion for all but it can also be a highly charged affair with the opportunity for emotions to run out of control. We aim to provide a competitive sports programme that is based on positive and enjoyable experiences. Our sporting ethos celebrates enjoyment, opportunity, sportsmanship, effort and excellence both on and off the field.

In order for our ethos to be upheld and our sports programme to be truly successful, it takes the cooperation of all involved; players, coaches, officials, staff, spectators and parents.

The points below clarify what we believe to be the essential standards; in effect it is a code of conduct for supporters but is intended to include you rather than alienate you and should be digested with this sentiment in mind.

We hope you have a wonderful day!

Photography – we are happy for parents to take photographs of their child playing sport and appreciate those special moments a photo can capture.

Dogs – please note, with the exception of guide dogs, no dogs are permitted on the school site or playing fields.

Refreshments – our main hospitality area is the King Room which is above the field changing rooms. Our post-match meals are served here and parents can also grab refreshments before and after the matches.

Toilets – these can be found at the King Room or Sports Hall (see map).

At the King Room there are two female toilets upstairs and a gender neutral toilet near the entrance on the ground floor.

Only staff and students are permitted to enter the changing rooms.

Role Models

Parental support should always include positive reinforcement of both your child’s performance and of their efforts. Parents should aim to be positive role models, including the display of sportsmanship and the notion of fair play and by avoiding negativity of any kind. It is not acceptable for anyone to ridicule or chastise their child or others for making a mistake or for losing a game. Parents should encourage children to play according to the rules at all times.

Match Officials

The best referees in the world make mistakes, just like the best players. However, decisions are often down to interpretation of the laws and more often than not, it is us coaches, players and spectators that get it wrong.

It is vital we show respect towards the official and their decisions –whether we agree or not. Please remember they are volunteers providing an opportunity for youngsters to play sport and without them there would be no game.

As coaches, players and spectators, we must refrain from blaming the official and refrain from reacting negatively to decisions. In particular, questioning decisions from the touchline must be avoided.

Respect

We have a responsibility to other parents and spectators. Competition and taunting between parents is never acceptable, and no parent/spectator should ever feel embarrassed or disappointed by their team or child’s performance. Good play should always be applauded, and disappointments should always be consoled. Remember that children learn best by example and praise should be bestowed on the efforts of both teams.

Parents and Spectators have a responsibility to themselves. The joy and pride associated with watching children learn and grow through sport should be experienced to the fullest, because life-long memories are being created before your eyes.

Your children play sport for their enjoyment, which in turn fosters a feeling of self-worth/ respect. Please help them in this endeavour by focusing on your child’s efforts and personal achievements rather than purely on whether they win or lose.

We always have first aid cover on match days and subject to sport will include Emergency Care Assistants, Nurses and First Aiders. Whilst we have first aid bags and first aiders across most pitches, we have two treatment rooms in the Field Changing Area/ King Room.

Defibrillators are located in the Sports Hall and Field Changing Room foyers.

In the event an ambulance is required before our medical team arrive and assess the casualty the following addresses should be used:

Main School Site Bedford Modern School Manton Lane Entrance MK41 7NT

Main School Field Bedford Modern School Clapham Road Entrance MK41 7PN

Small Field by King Room Car Park Bedford Modern School Clarendon Street Entrance, MK41 7SJ

The address for the nearest Accident and Emergency is:

Bedford Hospital A&E
Ampthill Road Entrance (Follow A&E signs)
South Wing Site
MK42 9DJ