Manchester County Football Association
Disability Steering Group Member Application Pack
October 2013
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Content
Page (3) Letter from Manchester County FA Football Delivery Manager –
Natalie Woodford
Page (4) Inclusion Advisory Board Members Advert
Page (5) Guidance on How to Apply
Pages (6-7) Inclusion Advisory Board Members Role Profile
Pages (8-11) Application Form
Pages (12-13) Equality and Diversity Monitoring Form
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Manchester County Football Association - Disability Steering Group
In 2013, Manchester County Football Association received National Game Funding to
develop a programme for participation specifically for disabled people.
With a strong reputation and commitment towards developing disability football
Manchester County Football Association has employed a full time Football Development
Officer to deliver the following;




Increase participation
Provide sustainability to programmes
Work with organisations that provide support to disabled people
To provide a programme of education for coaches and volunteers
With this in mind we are now in a position to establish a constituted Disability Steering
Group. The aim for this to group is to provide advice, guidance and recommendations in
relation to our disability development plan.
We are delighted to support the development of the Disability Steering Group and the
group will provide advice, support and knowledge to secure inward investment into the
disability programme. This will support the growth and retention of disability football
provision throughout Greater Manchester.
If you think you can help Manchester County FA to drive its disability programme forward
then please read on and apply and take up this fantastic opportunity.
Signed - N. Woodford
Natalie Woodford,
Football delivery Manager
Manchester County FA
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2. Disability Steering Group - Member Advert
Are you passionate about grassroots football? Are you able to influence and provide
strategic advice on methods to increase participation? Do you have experience in
securing external investment for community groups?
If you answered yes to the above, then Manchester County FA would like to hear from you
Manchester County FA are now recruiting for 6 volunteer members to join our Disability
Steering Group. The recruitment will be by formal application. The role profile is included
in this application pack (see pages 6-7).
The membership of this group will reflect the diversity within Greater Manchester, which
will also include representatives from organisations, and communities that are able to
provide advice in relation to the challenges and barriers that disabled people face from
participation.
The Disability steering group will meet a minimum four times a season and play a pivotal
role in the delivery of Manchester County FA’s Disability Development Plan by challenging
and overseeing its outcomes. The group will also be responsible for identifying and
applying for external investment.
Individuals selected onto the Disability Steering Group will require the appropriate skills,
knowledge and experience to have a positive and meaningful impact. Please note that the
posts are available to volunteers only (no salary is involved, but travel expenses to attend
quarterly meetings will be covered).
If you are interested in applying to be a member of our Disability Steering Group then
please complete the short application form and email with a covering letter to our
Disability Officer, John Hurst; [email protected] or by post addressed:
Strictly Private & Confidential, John Hurst, Disability Officer, Manchester County FA,
Manchester Communications Academy, Silchester Drive, Harpurhey, Manchester, M40
8NT.
Please note the closing date for applications is Friday 18th October 2013
Selected Members are required to attend the Disability Steering Group Launch on
Tuesday evening the 29th October 2013.
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3. Guidance on How to Apply
If you are interested in applying to be a member of our Disability Steering Group, please
complete the short application form and send with a covering letter by email to our
Disability Officer, John Hurst; [email protected] or by post addressed: Strictly
Private & Confidential, John Hurst, Disability Officer, Manchester County FA, Manchester
Communications Academy, Silchester Drive, Harpurhey, Manchester, M40 8NT.
We would appreciate if you could please complete The FA’s Diversity monitoring form
along with your application. Completion of this form is entirely optional; however it does
provide Manchester County FA with the opportunity to track the breadth and depth of the
applications from different parts of Greater Manchester.
If you feel you require any further information about the Disability Steering Group
member role then please contact any of the following:
 John Hurst – Disability Officer Manchester County FA –
[email protected]
o Mobile: 07545 343 842
 Natalie Woodford – Football Delivery Manager, Manchester
County FA [email protected]
o Mobile: 07540 949 528
Please note the closing date for applications is Friday 18th October 2013
How will we recruit?
Manchester County FA recruits and evaluates performance on a competency based
structure and process. Therefore, recruitment for these roles will be based on competency
based questions. Competency based behaviours required within this role include:
Problem solving \ Team work \ Communication \ Leadership,
Delivery \ Customer Excellence \ Developing Self and Others
Manchester County FA are committed to equality of opportunity and welcome
applications from all sections of the community. Manchester FA Equality Statement is
available upon request.
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4. Disability Steering Group Member Role Profile
You must be passionate about football in Greater Manchester and have the ability to
inspire people at all levels to change and reward those who make Grassroots in Greater
Manchester such a success.
 The Manchester County FA Disability Steering Group (DSG) will undertake on behalf
of Manchester County FA certain delegated functions in relation to applying for and
securing external investment into disability football
 The DSG members will be expected to provide independent advice and guidance
generally on all matters regarding disability football
 The full membership of the DSG will be reviewed every season.
 The DSG will have 6 Members.
Main Accountabilities
 To attend quarterly Disability Steering Group meetings
 Advise on, review the implementation of and monitor the impact of the Disability
Development Plan
 Advise on strategies, which will widen disability football participation in Greater
Manchester, including a robust measurement of tracking and retaining players
within the game
 Act as an advocate for Manchester County FA by promoting a culture of respect and
championing Disability Football
 Advise on how best football can maximise interventions to make a tangible
difference to the experience of disabled people in the game, bringing to life
‘Football for Everyone.’
 Undertake such other duties as the Manchester County FA may direct from time to
time
Personal Characteristics
 A visionary thinker with the ability to think strategically and the capacity to guide
practical implementation
 Ability to work collaboratively together with other the football bodies and external
organisations
 Ability to challenge constructively and manage conflict.
 Strong interpersonal and influencing skills.
 Understanding of sport and football at all levels
 Patience and diplomacy.
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5. Disability Steering Group
Member Application Form
Thank you for your interest in volunteering with Manchester County Football Association.
We are always keen to recruit people who are enthusiastic and passionate about
Manchester County FA’s work into a variety of roles.
Please complete the application form below and send along with a covering letter by
email to our Disability Officer, John.Hurst; [email protected] or by post
addressed: Strictly Private & Confidential, John Hurst, Disability Officer, Manchester
County FA, Manchester Communications Academy, Silchester Drive, Harpurhey,
Manchester, M40 8NT.
The personal information you give us will be stored on a computer database and will
only be used by Manchester County FA. We use your information to make sure we can
give you the best support and advice to find a volunteer role that suits you.
The Equal Opportunities information is used to make sure we treat people equally.
Personal Details
Full Name
Address
Postcode
Telephone
number
Mobile number
Email address
Date of Birth
1. How did you hear about volunteering with Manchester County FA?
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2. How often do you want to volunteer?
Not sure, I want
to try it first
Once a week
A few times a
year
More than
once a month
A few times a
month
A few times a
Every day
week
3. When are you available to volunteer? (tick all relevant boxes)
Monday
Tuesday
Wednesday
Thursday
Friday
Saturday
Sunday
Morning
Afternoon
Evening
** I CAN BE FLEXIBLE FOR MEETINGS
4. Why do you want to volunteer with Manchester County FA?
5. Please give details of any skills, interests or hobbies you have that may be
beneficial to your volunteering with Manchester County FA?
Have you ever been convicted of any criminal offence or have any pending?
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Yes 
No 
Please note: if you do have a criminal conviction, it will be no means stop you from being
able to volunteer with Manchester County FA but we will ask you to provide details of the
offence because, due to the nature of our work, it may restrict what types of volunteering
you are able to do with us.
6. References
Please give the name and addresses of TWO referees. If possible one should be your most
recent/present employer or someone from your school, college or University. Please tell
us if you do not wish your referees to be contacted without contacting you first.
1. Referee
2. Referee
Relationship:
Relationship:
Name:
Name:
Organisation:
Organisation:
Address:
Address:
Email:
Email:
Tel:
Tel:
Can we contact them:
Can we contact them:
Yes
Yes
No
No
Declaration
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I am applying for a voluntary Disability Steering Group Member role at Manchester County
FA. I understand, should I be successful, that we have not entered into an employment
contract and the terms are not legally binding.
I understand that my application will only be accepted on receipt of satisfactory
references, a Criminal Record Check (where appropriate) and if a suitable position is
available.
I agree that Manchester County FA may hold and use personal information about me for
volunteering reasons and may keep in touch with me. I understand this information,
including that contained within this form, may be stored on manual and computer files
and will be retained in accordance with Data Protection Legislation.
Signature:
Date:
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6. The FA’s Equality & Diversity Monitoring Form
Manchester County FA is committed to Equality and Diversity and ensuring that it is fully representative of the
Community it serves. To assist us in monitoring the ethnicity of members we would be grateful if you could
complete the following monitoring form. All information detailed will be treated anonymously.
Gender (Please tick)
Female
Do you identify yourself as Transgender?
If yes;
Male
Yes
MTF
No
FTM
Reason you prefer not to say…………………………………………………………………………
Age (Please tick)
16-24
25-34
35-44
45-54
55-64
65 +
Ethnicity How would you describe your ethnicity? (Please tick)
Asian
Black
Asian British
Black British
Indian
African
Pakistani
Caribbean
Bangladeshi
Chinese
Other (Please State)…………………………………………………………….
White
Mixed
White British
White & Black Caribbean
Irish
White & Black African
Gypsy
White & Asian
Traveller
Any other mixed/multiple ethnic background.…………………………………
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Continued on other side….
Any other white background..………………………………………………………
Arab
Roma
Other …………………………………………
Reason you prefer not to say……………………………………………………………………………
Disability (Please tick)
Do you consider yourself to be a disabled person?
Yes
No
Not sure
If yes, would you describe your impairment as (tick all that apply):
Sensory impairment
Mental Health
Physical impairment
learning impairment
Reason you prefer not to say……………………………………………………………………………
Sexual Orientation How do you describe your sexual orientation? (Please tick)
Asexual
Bisexual
Heterosexual
Gay
Lesbian
Reason you prefer not to say……………………………………………………………………………
Religion or Belief How would you describe your religion or belief? (Please tick all relevant boxes)
Buddhist
Jewish
Christian
Muslim
Hindu
Sikh
Humanist
No Religion
Agnostic / undecided
Reason you prefer not to say…………………………………
Other
Please provide details of any other aspects of equality/diversity you feel are relevant:
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