The following codes of conduct are set to enhance the learning experience for all players.  It’s about the kids, and we need the help of everyone involved to make the program a success.

Keep the game fun, the pressure minimal and the environment positive.

Parents:

• Parents must not coach from the pitch side during matches and training.

• Parents should not criticize their child on any part of the player’s game; leave this to the coaches since it may cause confusion and erode the player’s confidence.

• Support your child unconditionally, focusing on the positives of his/her performance and not the result.

• Respect the facilities.

• Be kind to your child’s coach and to the officials. The coach is a volunteer, giving of personal time and money to provide a recreational activity for your child. The coach is providing a valuable community service, often without reward other than personal satisfaction. Without them your child could not participate.

• Encourage your child to speak with the coach. If your child is having difficulties in training or games or can’t attend training, etc., encourage him to speak directly to the coaches. This “responsibility taking” is a big part of becoming a mature person. By handling of the field tasks, your child is claiming ownership of all aspects of the game.

• Winning is not as important as the performance.

• Support all the players in your child’s squad. Do not criticize any player.

• Do not criticize the opponents, their parents, coaches or the referee.

• Allow the coach to coach, the referee to officiate, and most of all allow your child to play the game.

• Play a supportive role for your child.

• Encouragement: participation itself is a success.

• Eliminate pressure: the number one reason children drop out of sports is because of pressure.

• Let the players play: Soccer is a complex game that presents players with many problem solving situations. Allow the players to think and solve for themselves. Shouting instructions will only complicate matters.

• Let the coaches coach: Too many voices in the sessions will confuse children and impede the learning process.

• Let the officials officiate: Respect the official’s decisions.  The referee’s decision has no impact on the development of the players.

• Let the game teach.

Coaches:

• I believe that my role as a coach is to contribute to the overall success, physical, and athletic growth of the player through participation in soccer.

• I will endeavor to be a good instructor and a positive role model for my players.

• I believe that the score of a game comes second to the safety and welfare of all my players.

• I will endeavor to put winning in its proper perspective.

• I am responsible for understanding and competing within the letter and the spirit of the

Laws of the Game

• I will teach my players to understand and play within the letter and spirit of the Laws of the Game.

With regard to opposing teams:

• I believe that the way my team conducts itself can also have an influence, for better or worse, on those we compete against.

• I will endeavor to make my team a positive role model.

• I will not coach, nor allow my players to play, with intent to cause injury to opposing players.

• Neither I nor my players and spectators will display hostile behavior towards opposing players.

• I will emphasize winning without boasting and losing without bitterness.

With regard to Referees:

• I believe that Referees, just as coaches and players, are attempting to do their best.

• I will instill in my players and spectators a respect for that fact.

• I understand that my attitude can influence my players and spectators.

• I will display a controlled and undemonstrative attitude toward Referees at all times.

• Neither I nor my players and spectators will address a Referee before, during or after the game in a demeaning fashion.

• Coaches are responsible for the conduct of their players and the spectators on their side of the field, specifically as it relates to the referee, coaches, players and spectators on the other team. Verbal and/or physical abuse will not be tolerated.