SFW Festival of Football 2026 | Yr 2/3/4

• All schools MUST bring their own First Aid kit and first aid qualified member of staff.
• Please provide own warm up balls. Match balls are provided.  
• Trainers/Astro and moulded boots are allowed. No metal blades or studded boots will be permitted.
• Shin pads are compulsory.
• Players of the same team should wear the same colour tops/bibs.
• No jewellery, baseball caps etc.
• It is advised that if eyewear is essential, it should be made from plastic rather than glass.

Staffing and Spectators – IMPORTANT INFORMATION

• We are not able to permit spectators.
• Primary schools must inform parents in advance when inviting students to take part.
• All staff attending the event must have enhanced DBS clearance and have been fully vetted by their primary school.
• DBS numbers, full name and school photo ID will be required in advance by the host school for events on school sites.
• Upon arrival, all staff members must sign a Code of Conduct form to confirm their intent to support the safeguarding of children at MSSP events.
• Staff must complete a team-sheet ready for registration.
• Staff may be asked to keep score during the games.

Draw Format

• Rotation of skill-based activities led by young leaders and local coaches, followed by small-sided matches per year group for girls teams and boys teams.

Awards  

• REFSPECT winners – Certificate.
• Participation certificates will be presented to all participants.

NGB Info

• For more information on supporting this sport in your school, please visit http://www.esfa.co.uk/

First Aid 

MSSP will have a basic first aid kit and qualified person at all events but will not be available to tend to less urgent first aid, as they will be delivering the event. As part of the school’s risk assessment a qualified first aider should always be with the school team (including travel) to tend to their children during the event.

Team-sheets

To help us support our Equality, Diversity and Inclusion aims, all school teams must complete and submit the attached MSSP Event Entry – EDI Team sheet to register for this event. We do not require the children’s names, just initials or first names are fine. This data is vital to help us improve equity and access for all. We want all Merton students to be able to represent their schools in activities they enjoy and, in an environment, where they feel a sense of belonging. The data you provide us will help us to review and improve our offer as we strive to achieve this.

Risk Assessments

Please see the Risk Assessment in the ‘Resources’ section on the event webpage for event specific planning and considerations.

mertonssp.org.uk/competitions

REFSPECT 

MSSP values the contributions by all those involved in making our events a FUN, safe and enjoyable environment for children to take part in sport. To ensure our events continue to be successful we promote our REFSPECT campaign. We expect everyone attending our events to maintain respect for the rules, officials, opponents, teammates and themselves. Only designated staff and volunteers will be allowed on the side-lines.

If any staff, adults or children are deemed to be in breach of our REFSPECT codes of conduct they will be asked to leave the event, and the Head Teacher of the relevant school will be informed immediately.

For more information about REFSPECT and codes of conduct for attendance at our events, please click here

mertonssp.org.uk/refspect

Photo Consent 

Photographs will be taken at this event by staff members from MSSP and may be used for promotional material. If you have any children that do not have permission to be photographed, please inform a member of staff before the start of the event.

Please ensure your school only take photographs of their own students and do not share any photos of other children on social media without consent from that school.

Social Media 

For information and updates from our events, please follow and use the platforms below:

Email: info@mertonssp.org.uk

X: x.com/MertonSSP

Instagram: instagram.com/mertonssp

MSSP Duty of Care 

MSSP have a duty to take all measures that are reasonable in the circumstances to ensure the health, safety, wellbeing and welfare of all participants and any other attendees involved in the relevant event. MSSP have tried to ensure that all reasonable steps have been taken in its duty of care being discharged, and to the requisite standard of care, MSSP have ensured the following guidance and actions have been adhered to and carried out:

That the advice of the UK Government and public health authorities has been followed

That the bespoke guidance and protocols issued by the relevant NGB, federation and/or umbrella organisation (if applicable) have been followed.

Safeguarding and DBS 

MSSP acknowledges the duty of care to safeguard and promote the welfare of children and is committed to ensuring safeguarding practice reflects statutory responsibilities, government guidance and complies with best practice and the requirements of the Partnership’s host organisation, the Harris Federation.

We recognise that the welfare and interests of children are paramount in all circumstances. We aim to ensure that regardless of age, ability or disability, gender reassignment, race, religion or belief, sex or sexual orientation, socio-economic background, all children and young leaders:

have a positive and enjoyable experience of sport or physical activity at MSSP events in a safe and child centred environment are protected from abuse whilst participating or officiating at MSSP events.

All MSSP staff at the event are fully vetted and enhanced DBS checked. It is the schools’ responsibility to ensure any staff and volunteers who attend the event comply with the host venue safeguarding and welfare policy and can provide documentation to support this on request.

If you have any concerns about a child at our event, please make sure you say something. The MSSP safeguarding team contact details will be on display at all events or for more information on who to speak to please click here 

mertonssp.org.uk/contact

Comments, Compliments and Complaints 

MSSP aims to deliver a first-class service to all its stakeholders. We see all feedback, whether good or bad, as a valuable way for us to learn and improve. Therefore, we welcome all comments, compliments and complaints. For further details, please click here

mertonssp.org.uk/comments-compliments-and-complaints