PLAYER WELFARE

Our Commitment to Physical Welfare

At Dunedin City Royals we are committed to providing a safe, healthy, and supportive environment for all our players, coaches, and members. We believe that prioritising physical welfare helps players perform at their best, stay in the game longer, and enjoy football in a safe, inclusive setting.

Club Physical Welfare Lead

We have appointed a dedicated Physical Welfare Representative, a member of our club committee or board, responsible for: Leading the club’s approach to physical welfare and safety. 

Supporting coaches and teams with injury prevention and response.

Promoting awareness and education across all age groups.

Physical Welfare as a Standing Agenda Item

To maintain accountability and action:

Physical Welfare & Safeguarding are standing items at every club board or committee meeting. 

This ensures regular review of player welfare, education needs, injury trends, and upcoming initiatives.

Our Physical Welfare Guidelines

We follow clear processes and best practice to reduce injury risk across all age groups and levels:

1. Standard Warm-Up Procedures

We follow the NZF Physical Preparation Guidelines, tailored to age, gender and stage. This includes:

  • A recommended approach to warm-ups used across all teams.
  • Coach education on proper technique and delivery.
  • QR code posters or printed guides made available for training and matchdays.

2. Concussion Guidelines

We adopt and promote the NZF Concussion & Head Injury Guidelines, including:

  • Immediate removal of suspected concussion cases.
  • Adherence to the Graduated Return to Play (RTP) protocol.
  • Education on the 5 R’s: Recognise, Remove, Refer, Rest & Recover, Return to Play.

​​​​​​​3. Ongoing Education & Awareness

We are committed to building a learning culture around physical welfare:

  • Annual Physical Welfare Plan: A 12-month calendar of topics (e.g., recovery, load management, hydration).
  • Formal Learning: We encourage and track coach team allocation and formal education.
  • Club Resources: Key posters and resources are displayed or shared online as needed.

Final Statement

By committing to these core guidelines, Dunedin City Royals fosters a club culture where wellbeing is valued, injury risks are reduced, and players can perform at their best — now and for the future.

Approved by: Matthew Bray, Club President
Date: 28/09/2026