Codes of conduct
Coaches
Coaches are key to the establishment of ethics in football. Their concept of ethics and their attitude directly affects the behavior of players under their supervision. Coaches are, therefore, expected to pay particular care to the moral aspect of their conduct. Coaches have to be aware that almost all of their everyday decisions and choices of actions, as well as strategic targets, have ethical implications. It is natural that winning constitutes a basic concern for coaches. However, the code calls for coaches to disassociate themselves from a “win-at-all-costs” attitude. Increased responsibility is requested from coaches involved in coaching young people. The health, safety, welfare and moral education of each young person in the league are a first priority, before the achievement or the reputation of the individual team, coach or parent.
- Coaches must respect the rights, dignity and worth of each and every person and treat each equally within the context of the sport.
- Coaches must place the well-being and safety of each player above all other considerations, including the development of performance.
- Coaches must adhere to all guidelines laid down by the governing bodies, whether they agree with them or not.
- Coaches must develop an appropriate working relationship with each player based on mutual trust and respect.
- Coaches must not exert undue influence to obtain personal or team benefit or reward.
- Coaches must encourage and guide all players to accept responsibility for their own behavior and performance.
- Coaches must ensure that the activities they direct or advocate are appropriate for the age, maturity, experience and abilities of the players.
- Coaches should, at the outset, clarify with the players (and, where appropriate, parent) exactly what is expected of them and also what they are entitled to expect from their coach.
- Coaches must cooperate fully with other specialists (i.e. other coaches, officials, league representatives, medical professionals) in the best interest of the player.
- Coaches must always promote the positive aspects of the sport (i.e. fair play) and never condone violations of the laws of the game, behavior contrary to the spirit of the Laws of the Game or the relevant rules and regulations of the league.
- Coaches must consistently display high standards or behavior and appearance.
- Coaches must not use, or tolerate from their players or staff, inappropriate language.
- Remember we are dealing with YOUNG PEOPLE and not high schoolers.
- Decisions of the executive board, whether made at a meeting or on the field are binding at the time they are made.
- There is a fine line between emotion/animation and yelling at a player, please know and understand the difference.
code of conducts
Players
Players are the most important people in the sport. Playing for the team, and for the team to win, is the most fundamental part of the game. However, this does not mean winning at any cost – fair play and respect for all others in the game is fundamentally important.
Obligations towards the game
A player should:
- Make every effort to develop their own sporting abilities, in terms of skill, technique, tactics and stamina.
- Give maximum effort and strive for the best possible performance during a game, even if your team is in a position where the desired result has already been achieved.
- Set a positive example for others, particularly younger players and supporters.
- Avoid all forms of taunting and trash-talk.
- Not use inappropriate language.
Obligations towards your own team
A player should:
- Make every effort consistent with fair play and the laws of the game to help your own team win.
- Resist any influence which might, or might be seen to, bring into question your commitment to the team doing their best.
- Make every effort to attend all practices and be on-time
Respect the Laws of the game and competition rules
A player should:
- Know and follow the laws, rules and spirit of the game.
- Accept success and failure, victory and defeat, equally with sportsmanship and respect.
- Resist any temptation to use banned techniques or illegal moves\plays.
Respect towards Opponents
A player should:
- Treat opponents with respect at all times, regardless of the result of the game.
- Safeguard the physical fitness of opponents, avoid violence and rough play, and help injured opponents.
Respect towards the Coaches\Officials
A player should:
- Accept the decision of the Official without comment.
- Avoid words or actions which may mislead an Official.
- Show respect to Officials at all times.
- Show respect to your coach at all times.
code of conducts
Parents and Spectators
Parents\Spectators have a great influence on children’s enjoyment and success in football. All children play football because they first and foremost love the game – because it's fun! However good a child becomes at football, we think it is important to reinforce these messages to parents\spectators.
Positive encouragement will contribute to:
1. Children enjoying football
- A sense of personal achievement
- Improving the child’ skills and techniques
A parent’s\spectator’s expectations and attitudes have a significant bearing on a child’s attitude towards:
- Other players
- Officials
- Coaches
- Other parents
- Spectators
We seek to ensure that parents\spectators within our league are always positive and encouraging towards all of the children. Not just their own or their own teams' children.
We encourage parents\spectators to:
- Applaud the opposition as well as your own team
- Avoid coaching your child during the game
- Refrain from shouting and screaming (over and above normal cheering)
- Respect the referee’s decision, whether agreed with or not, and refrain from all comments made directly to or about the referee’s
- Respect the opposing teams coaches and refrain from all comments made directly to or about the opposing coaches
- Give encouragement to everyone participating in the game whether or not they are on your child’s team
- Please remember that we are watching youth football and not the NFL.