Frequently Asked
Questions

Yes. All coaches hold FA coaching qualifications. You can see each coach’s highest qualification on their profile on the Meet the Team page. The club also actively funds further development, including UEFA B and C courses, for coaches who commit to RVFC.

Yes. Every coach and volunteer who works regularly with children holds a valid enhanced DBS (Disclosure and Barring Service) certificate, processed through the FA’s Whole Game System. DBS checks are renewed every three years.

This is a mandatory requirement for FA-affiliated clubs. Staffordshire FA conducts unannounced safeguarding visits to verify compliance.

Every FA-accredited club must have a designated Club Welfare Officer (CWO). Our CWO is the first point of contact for any concern about a child’s welfare or safety at the club. You can contact them confidentially at welfare@rvfc.co.uk.

Yes — and we’d love to hear from you. You don’t need existing qualifications; we help you get them. We’re always looking for people who share our values, whether as a coach, assistant, matchday helper or behind the scenes.

View our current vacancies or get in touch for an informal conversation.

We have teams for children from age 5 upwards. The youngest age group is the U7s (ages 5–6 as at 31 August). If you’re unsure which age group applies, use the Age Group Checker on our Join Us page — it works it out instantly from your child’s date of birth.

If your child is older, get in touch and we’ll confirm whether there’s a space in the right team.

Yes. Every new player gets a free trial session with no obligation and no fee. Register online and a member of the club will be in touch within 48 hours to arrange it. No need to buy any kit beforehand — just come as you are.

The easiest way is to complete the short registration form on our Join Us page. It takes about two minutes. A coach or club representative will contact you within 48 hours to answer questions and arrange your child’s first session.

Yes. We accept new players throughout the season — you don’t need to wait for a new season to start. If you’re unsure whether there’s a space in the right age group, contact us and we’ll confirm straight away.

Absolutely. Many of our players came to us with no experience whatsoever. Our coaches focus on enjoyment, confidence and development first — not results. There is no ability test or selection process. Every child is welcome.

Yes. We have mixed teams across all age groups and are committed to making football accessible to every child. If you have a daughter who wants to play, register your interest and we’ll find the right team for her.

Under FA rules, a player can play up one age group above their chronological group — for example, a U10 player can play in the U11s — provided their coach, parents and the club agree it’s in the child’s best interest. Playing down is generally not permitted.

Mini Soccer covers the U7 to U11 age groups. Results are not recorded and there are no official league tables at this level — the focus is entirely on fun, learning and development.

From U12 upwards, football becomes officially competitive with results, league tables and cup competitions. All formats follow FA rules on pitch size, team numbers and match duration for each age group.

Training days, times and venues vary by team. Each team’s page on Our Teams shows the full training schedule. Most teams train once per week midweek, with fixtures at weekends — generally Sundays from 9:30am and Saturdays from 10am.

Our home ground is Abbey Park, Glastonbury Crescent, Bloxwich, Walsall WS3 2RQ. Get directions and matchday info →

Younger age groups (Mini Soccer, U7–U11) play at central venues arranged each week through the Walsall Junior Youth League. You will always be notified of the venue in advance.

U7 & U8: 5v5, small pitch.
U9 & U10: 7v7, medium pitch.
U11 & U12: 9v9.
U13 and above: 11v11, full-size pitch.

Match durations also increase with age group, following FA guidelines. Results are not recorded for U7–U11.

Coaches will notify families via the team WhatsApp group as early as possible. Cancellations are most common due to pitch conditions or bad weather. Always check the group if the weather looks doubtful on a matchday morning.

We ask for as much commitment as possible — consistency helps your child develop and keeps the team balanced for everyone. That said, we completely understand that school events, illness and family life happen. Just let your coach know in advance when you can’t make it.

For our youngest groups, sessions are game-based and fun — lots of ball touches, small-sided games, and activities built around movement and confidence rather than tactics. The FA’s Long Term Player Development framework underpins all our coaching at this age. Your child will love it.

Yes. Parents and carers are welcome to watch from the designated spectator areas. We follow the FA Respect programme and ask all spectators to be positive and supportive — to all players, not just their own child, and to the referee and officials at all times.

Membership is £30 per month or £300 per year paid upfront — saving you two months versus paying monthly. There is no additional cost for matchdays, training or trophy events.

No child is ever turned away because of what their family can afford. We have a confidential financial support programme that can cover some or all of the membership cost for families who need it.

Please speak to us in confidence — every request is handled discreetly and without judgement. We would always rather find a way than see a child miss out.

Not at all. Through our Football Rebooted partnership we provide free football boots to any child who needs them. If we have your child’s size, they’re yours — no forms, no means test, no questions. Just mention it when you register or drop us a message.

No. For the trial and first few sessions, any comfortable sportswear and trainers (or boots if they have them) is absolutely fine. Once registered, your child will receive a club playing kit. You do not need to buy anything upfront.

The membership fee covers everything — training, matchdays and cup fixtures. The only potential additional costs would be optional club events or away trips, which are always entirely voluntary and communicated clearly in advance.

Yes. RVFC funds FA and UEFA coaching courses for coaches who commit to the club. If you’re a parent who wants to get more involved and develop as a coach, we’ll support you through the qualification process at no personal cost. See our Vacancies page for current opportunities.

Most of our teams compete in the Walsall Junior Youth Football League (WJYFL) — one of the leading grassroots leagues in the country, serving over 7,000 children across the West Midlands. Our MJPL teams compete in the Midland Junior Premier League. All leagues are sanctioned by Staffordshire FA.

No. For U7 to U11 (Mini Soccer), results are not officially recorded and there are no league tables. The focus at these ages is entirely on development, enjoyment and learning the game.

From U12 upwards, results count and league tables are maintained throughout the season.

Yes. Most age groups have access to cup competitions throughout the season alongside their league fixtures. These are organised through the WJYFL and provide excellent experiences — especially for younger age groups where trophy events run as fun festival days rather than knockout competitions.

At the end of each season, players move up to the next age group in line with FA rules (based on age at 31 August). The team structure may be rearranged and players may combine with others or form new squads. Your coach will communicate any changes well in advance of the following season.

Fixtures are arranged by the league (WJYFL or MJPL) and communicated through the club to coaches, who then notify families via WhatsApp. Home fixtures take place at Abbey Park or allocated central venues for Mini Soccer age groups. Away fixture locations vary by opponent.