GOWL – Terms of Use

1. Introduction

Welcome to GOWL (“the Platform”).

GOWL is an online platform designed to help grassroots youth football coaches and authorised team officials in Malta and Gozo connect with other teams, find suitable opponents, arrange friendly matches and organise football festivals.

These Terms of Use (“Terms”) govern access to and use of GOWL, including its website, accounts, team management features, match arrangements, messaging services and festival management functionality.

By registering an account or using the Platform, you confirm that you have read, understood and agreed to these Terms.

If you do not agree with these Terms, you must not use the Platform.

2. Eligibility and registration

GOWL is intended exclusively for adult football coaches, club representatives and authorised team officials.

To register and use the Platform, you must:

• Be at least 18 years old.
• Provide accurate, complete and up-to-date registration information.
• Use the Platform for legitimate football-related activities.
• Maintain the confidentiality of your login credentials.
• Be responsible for all activities carried out through your account.
• Notify GOWL if you suspect that your account has been accessed without authorisation.

Each individual must maintain their own account. Accounts must not be shared between different individuals.

GOWL reserves the right to verify account information and request additional information where reasonably necessary.

3. Clubs, teams and co-managers

Users may create or associate their accounts with an existing football club on the Platform.

Each coach is responsible for managing their own teams and ensuring that all team information is accurate.

Where supported, a coach may authorise another registered coach to act as a co-manager of a team.

By granting co-manager access, you confirm that you have the authority to do so.

GOWL is not responsible for disputes between coaches or club representatives regarding ownership, management or authorisation of teams.

GOWL administrators may investigate and resolve duplicate club records, incorrect associations or misuse of team management permissions.

4. Team information and children's privacy

GOWL is designed to minimise the collection of personal information relating to children.

The Platform may collect general team information, including:

• Team birth year or age group.
• General playing level.
• Preferred match format.
• Preferred playing days and times.
• Home locality.
• Other information necessary to arrange football matches.

Users must not submit children's personal information through the Platform.

This includes, but is not limited to:

• Children's full names.
• Individual dates of birth.
• Home addresses.
• Personal telephone numbers or email addresses.
• Photographs or videos identifying children.
• Medical information or other sensitive personal information.

Coaches must ensure that any team information they provide does not identify individual children.

The Platform is intended for communication between adult coaches and authorised team officials. Children, players and parents must not create accounts or use the Platform's messaging functionality.

5. Publishing availability

Registered users may publish availability slots indicating that their team is available to participate in a friendly match.

Availability information may include:

• Proposed date and time.
• Whether the team is hosting, travelling or flexible.
• Available pitch information.
• Preferred opponent age group or birth year.
• Accepted playing levels.
• Match format.
• Number of opponents required.
• Recurring availability preferences.

Users are responsible for ensuring that the availability information they publish is accurate and up to date.

Publishing an availability slot does not constitute a confirmed match.

Users must remove or update availability slots when they are no longer available.

GOWL may restrict or remove availability slots that are misleading, duplicated or otherwise inconsistent with these Terms.

6. Finding and requesting friendly matches

The Platform allows coaches to search for compatible teams based on information such as age group, playing level, match format, date, location and availability.

GOWL provides recommendations based on the information supplied by users and the matching criteria configured on the Platform.

Recommendations are intended to assist coaches and do not constitute a guarantee that a match is suitable.

Users remain responsible for assessing whether a proposed opponent is appropriate for their team.

A match request is not considered confirmed until it has been explicitly accepted through the Platform by the receiving coach.

Requests may be accepted, declined or answered with a suggested alternative date, time or venue.

Requests may expire if they remain unanswered for the period configured by the Platform.

7. Confirmed matches and scheduling

A friendly match is considered confirmed once both coaches have agreed through the Platform.

Following acceptance, the match will be recorded in the relevant teams' calendars.

Once a match is confirmed:

• Both coaches are responsible for honouring the agreed arrangements.
• Any proposed changes to the date, time or venue must be agreed upon by both coaches.
• Coaches should communicate changes as early as reasonably possible.
• Coaches must ensure that their team is available and properly prepared for the match.

GOWL includes functionality designed to prevent conflicting bookings involving teams and pitches within the Platform.

However, this functionality cannot account for arrangements made outside GOWL or changes that have not been communicated to the Platform.

GOWL does not guarantee the availability of external football grounds or the accuracy of information supplied by users.

8. Cancellations and no-shows

Coaches may cancel confirmed matches through the Platform.

When cancelling a match, coaches should provide a reason and notify the other coach as early as possible.

A coach may privately report that another team failed to attend a confirmed match.

Such reports are intended for administrative review and are not automatically treated as established facts.

The reported coach may dispute a no-show report.

GOWL administrators may review submitted information and take appropriate action, including correcting records or applying account restrictions where justified.

GOWL does not guarantee the outcome of disputes between coaches.

9. Football festivals and events

GOWL may provide functionality allowing users to organise football festivals and multi-team events.

Festival organisers are responsible for:

• Providing accurate event information.
• Defining age groups and playing formats.
• Setting participation limits and registration deadlines.
• Managing team approvals and waiting lists.
• Ensuring that appropriate pitches and facilities are available.
• Communicating event arrangements and schedule changes.
• Ensuring that the event is properly organised and supervised.

The Platform may assist organisers by generating match schedules based on the information supplied.

Generated schedules are provided as an administrative tool and should be reviewed by the organiser before being relied upon.

GOWL does not organise, supervise, sponsor or guarantee any festival or event listed on the Platform unless explicitly stated otherwise.

Any participation fees displayed on the Platform are informational only. GOWL does not currently process payments or collect participation fees through the Platform.

All payment arrangements, where applicable, are the responsibility of the relevant organiser and participating teams.

10. Messaging and communication

GOWL may provide private messaging functionality to allow registered coaches to communicate regarding football-related activities.

Users agree to:

• Communicate respectfully and professionally.
• Use messaging only for legitimate purposes connected with the Platform.
• Avoid harassment, threats, discrimination or abusive language.
• Avoid sending spam or unsolicited commercial communications.
• Never request or exchange children's personal information.

Users may report or block other users where these features are available.

GOWL reserves the right to review reported communications where reasonably necessary to investigate abuse, protect users or enforce these Terms, subject to applicable data protection laws.

Users should not assume that messages are confidential from the Platform operator where moderation or security investigations are necessary.

11. Acceptable use

Users must not:

• Provide false, misleading or deliberately inaccurate information.
• Impersonate another coach, club or organisation.
• Create duplicate accounts to circumvent restrictions.
• Publish availability that they know is inaccurate.
• Deliberately reserve or block pitches or teams without genuine intent to arrange a match.
• Harass, threaten, intimidate or discriminate against other users.
• Use the Platform for spam, advertising or unauthorised commercial purposes.
• Attempt to access another user's account or information without permission.
• Interfere with the operation, security or availability of the Platform.
• Reverse engineer, copy or attempt to exploit the Platform or its underlying systems.
• Upload malicious software or content.
• Share children's personal information.

Users must comply with all applicable laws and regulations when using GOWL.

12. Moderation and administration

GOWL administrators may take reasonable action to maintain the safety, reliability and proper operation of the Platform.

Such actions may include:

• Reviewing reported users, messages and activities.
• Removing inappropriate or misleading content.
• Correcting duplicate or inaccurate club and ground records.
• Suspending or restricting accounts.
• Deactivating accounts that repeatedly breach these Terms.
• Removing accounts following a valid deletion request.
• Investigating disputes relating to reported no-shows or misuse of the Platform.

Where reasonably possible, users will be informed of significant moderation decisions and the reason for the action.

GOWL may take immediate action without prior notice where necessary to protect the Platform, its users or its security, or where required by law.

13. Account suspension and termination

Users may stop using GOWL at any time and may request account deactivation or deletion through the available account settings or by contacting the Platform operator.

GOWL reserves the right to suspend or terminate an account where:

• These Terms have been breached.
• False or misleading information has been provided.
• The account is being used for abusive or fraudulent activities.
• The user's actions compromise the security or proper operation of the Platform.
• Suspension or termination is required by law.

Account deletion and the handling of associated personal data will be carried out in accordance with the applicable Privacy Policy and data protection legislation.

Certain records may need to be retained where required by law or where there is a legitimate legal reason to do so.

14. Intellectual property

All intellectual property rights relating to GOWL, including its branding, logo, website design, software, functionality, text and other original content, belong to the Platform operator or its respective licensors.

Users may not reproduce, distribute, modify, commercially exploit or otherwise use GOWL's intellectual property without prior written permission, except where permitted by law.

By submitting content to GOWL, users grant the Platform operator a limited, non-exclusive right to host, store, display and process that content solely for the purpose of operating and providing the Platform's services.

Users retain ownership of the content they submit and are responsible for ensuring that they have the necessary rights and permissions to submit it.

15. Platform availability and changes

GOWL aims to provide a reliable service but does not guarantee uninterrupted or error-free operation.

The Platform may occasionally be unavailable due to:

• Scheduled maintenance.
• Technical problems.
• Hosting or infrastructure failures.
• Security incidents.
• Third-party service interruptions.
• Circumstances outside the operator's reasonable control.

GOWL reserves the right to modify, suspend or discontinue individual features or parts of the Platform where reasonably necessary.

Where practical, users will be informed of significant changes that materially affect the service.

16. Third-party services

GOWL may rely on third-party providers for hosting, email delivery, maps, authentication and other technical services.

The availability and operation of such services may be subject to the relevant provider's terms, conditions and privacy policies.

GOWL is not responsible for interruptions or failures caused by third-party services to the extent permitted by applicable law.

17. Responsibility for football activities

GOWL acts solely as a digital platform that facilitates connections and coordination between coaches and teams.

GOWL does not:

• Select, appoint or approve opposing teams.
• Organise or supervise friendly matches.
• Provide coaching or football instruction.
• Provide referees, medical staff or safeguarding personnel.
• Provide football grounds or guarantee their suitability.
• Provide insurance or coverage for matches.
• Verify that teams have obtained all necessary permissions.

Each coach and relevant club remains responsible for ensuring that their football activities are appropriately organised.

This includes responsibility for:

• Player welfare and safeguarding arrangements.
• Appropriate supervision of children.
• Parental or guardian permissions where required.
• Appropriate insurance arrangements.
• Compliance with applicable football regulations.
• The suitability of opposing teams.
• The suitability and authorised use of playing facilities.
• Health and safety arrangements during football activities.

GOWL does not assume responsibility for incidents, injuries, losses or disputes arising from matches or events arranged between users, except to the extent that liability cannot lawfully be excluded or limited.

18. Limitation of liability

GOWL is provided as a platform to facilitate communication and coordination between football coaches.

To the maximum extent permitted by applicable law, the Platform operator shall not be responsible for:

• The conduct or actions of users.
• The accuracy or completeness of information supplied by users.
• The suitability of teams matched through the Platform.
• Matches cancelled or not attended by participating teams.
• Disputes between coaches, clubs or event organisers.
• Injuries, accidents or damages occurring during football activities.
• Losses resulting from unavailable or interrupted Platform services.
• Decisions made by users based on recommendations or information provided by the Platform.

Nothing in these Terms excludes or limits liability where such exclusion or limitation is prohibited under applicable law, including liability that cannot legally be excluded.

These Terms do not affect any mandatory rights or protections available to users under applicable law.

19. Privacy and data protection

GOWL respects the privacy of its users and processes personal information in accordance with applicable data protection legislation, including the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and applicable Maltese legislation.

The collection, use, storage and disclosure of personal information are explained in the separate GOWL Privacy Policy.

Users are encouraged to read the Privacy Policy before registering.

The Privacy Policy explains, among other things:

• What personal information is collected.
• How information is used.
• How information is stored and protected.
• When information may be shared with third parties.
• How users can exercise their data protection rights.
• How users can request access, correction or deletion of their personal information.

20. Changes to these Terms

GOWL may update these Terms from time to time to reflect changes to the Platform, its functionality, operational requirements or applicable legislation.

Where changes are material, users will be notified through the Platform or another appropriate communication method.

The updated Terms will be published on the website with a revised last-updated date.

Continued use of the Platform following the effective date of updated Terms constitutes acceptance of the revised Terms, to the extent permitted by applicable law.

If you do not agree with the updated Terms, you should stop using the Platform.

21. Governing law and jurisdiction

These Terms shall be governed by and interpreted in accordance with the laws of Malta.

Any disputes arising from or relating to these Terms shall be subject to the jurisdiction of the competent courts of Malta, subject to any mandatory jurisdictional rights or protections under applicable law.

22. Contact information

If you have questions about these Terms, require clarification or wish to report a breach, you can contact the Platform operator using the details below: