FOOTBALL TOOWOOMBA

JUNIOR SPORT CODES OF CONDUCT

PLAYERS’ CODE

  1. Play for the ‘love of the game’ and not just to please parents and coaches. 
  2. Work equally hard for yourself and your team. Your team’s performance will benefit so will you.
  3. Play by the rules.
  4. Never argue with an official. If you disagree, have your captain or coach approach the official during a break or after the game.
  5. Be a good sport. Applaud all good plays whether they are your team or the opposition.
  6. Treat all players as you would like to be treated. Do not interfere with, bully or take unfair advantage of another player.
  7. Control your temper. Verbal abuse of officials or other players or deliberately fouling or provoking an opponent are all unacceptable behaviour.
  8. Co-operate with your coach, team-mates and opponents. Without them there would be no game.

PARENTS’ CODE 

  1. Remember that children play football for their enjoyment, not yours. If a child is reluctant to play, encourage but don’t force them. 
  2. Focus on the players’ effort and performance rather than winning or losing. 
  3. Assist in settling realistic personal goals related to his/her ability. 
  4. Encourage children to always play according to the laws of the game. 
  5. Never ridicule or yell at a child for making a mistake or losing a game.
  6. Remember that children learn best by example. Applaud good play by both teams. 
  7. Support all efforts to remove verbal and physical abuse from all sporting activities. 
  8. Respect official’s decisions and teach children to do likewise. 
  9. Show your appreciation of volunteer coaches, officials and administrators. Without them your child could not participate.
  10. Encourage children to recognize the value of an honest effort so that the result of each game is accepted without undue disappointment.

COACHES’ CODE

  1. Remember that children play for the fun and enjoyment and that winning is only part of their motivation. 
  2. Never ridicule or yell at players for making mistakes or losing a game. 
  3. Be reasonable in your demands on your players’ time, energy and enthusiasm. 
  4. Teach your players to follow the rules. 
  5. Wherever possible, group players to ensure that everyone has a reasonable chance of success.
  6. Avoid over playing the talented players. The ‘just average’ players need and deserve equal time.
  7. Ensure that equipment and facilities meet safety standards and are appropriate to the age and ability of the players.
  8. Develop team respect for the ability of opponents and for the judgements of officials and opposing coaches. 
  9. Follow the advice of a physician when determining when an injured player is ready to recommence training or play. 
  10. Keep informed of the latest coaching practices and the principles of children’s growth and development.

ADMINISTRATORS CODE

  1. Involve mature young people in the planning, leadership, evaluation and decision making related to our sport.
  2. Give all children equal opportunity to participate.
  3. Ensure that rules, equipment, length of games and training schedules suit the age, ability and maturity level of players.
  4. Provide appropriate supervision and quality instruction for all players. 
  5. Remember that children participate for enjoyment. Don’t over-emphasize awards. 
  6. Help coaches and officials highlight appropriate behaviour, skill development and help improve the standards of coaching and officiating.

OFFICIALS’ CODE 

  1. Modify rules and regulations to match the skill levels and needs of children. 
  2. Compliment and encourage all participants. 
  3. Be consistent, objective and courteous when making decisions. 
  4. Condemn unsporting behaviour and promote respect for all opponents. 
  5. Emphasize the ‘spirit’ of the game, rather than the errors. 
  6. Encourage and promote rule changes which will make participation more enjoyable. 
  7. Be a good sport yourself. Actions speak louder than words. Your behaviour and comments should be positive and supportive. 
  8. Keep up to date with the latest trends in officiating and knowledge of children’s growth and development.

SPECTATORS’ CODE

  1. Children play organized sports for fun. They are not playing for the entertainment of spectators only, nor are they miniature professionals. 
  2. Applaud good performance and efforts by your team and the opponents. Congratulate both teams upon their performance regardless of the game’s outcome. 
  3. Respect the officials’ decision and at all times demonstrate appropriate social sporting behaviour. 
  4. Never ridicule or scold a player for making a mistake during a game. Positive comments are motivational. 
  5. Condemn the use of violence in any form. Support all efforts to remove verbal and physical abuse from all sporting activities. 
  6. Show respect for your team’s opponents. Without them there would be no game. 
  7. Encourage players to play by the rules and the officials decisions.

MEDIA’S CODE

  1. Provide coverage of junior’s premiership and non-premiership soccer as well as reporting the adult game. 
  2. Place in proper perspective the isolated incidents of unsporting conduct. 
  3. Focus upon children’s fair play and their honest effort. 
  4. Children are not miniature professionals and adults shouldn’t place unfair expectations upon them. 
  5. Be aware of the difference between the goals of Junior Soccer and those of the professional game. Make the readers, viewers and listeners aware of these differences. The professional is an entertainer and wage earner and this, on occasions, may be reflected in the professional player’s behaviour.