Can I message the young players I coach?

Only through open, club-approved channels. NSPCC Sport's online safety guidance says:

• No private messages. Messages should never be sent privately by a staff member or volunteer to a young person.
• No one-to-one chats on encrypted platforms. Apps such as WhatsApp and Facebook Messenger can increase risk because of their privacy and encryption.
• Use public pages, groups or parents. Online contact with young people should be through public pages or groups, or through their parents and carers.
• Keep groups appropriate. Groups should be age-appropriate and limited to people involved with the club.
• Use club accounts. If the club uses an app, messages should come from a club (business) account managed by trained staff and monitored regularly.
• Video sessions: children should join with a parent present.
• Write it down. Messaging rules should be included in the club's codes of conduct for staff, volunteers, parents and children.