Code of Conduct

Parents

As a parent, you play a special role in the development of your daughter or son, and of his/her teammates. Your encouragement and good example will do more to ensure good sportsmanship and self-discipline than any other influence. The other team is the opponent, not the enemy, and should be treated with respect. While winning is important, playing well and fairly is the essence of the game.

1. SUPPORT YOUR CHILD
   Support your child by giving encouragement and showing interest in his/her team. Help your child work toward skill improvement and good sportsmanship in every game. Teach your child that hard work and an honest effort are often more important than victory
2. BE SUPPORTIVE AND YOUR CHILD'S BIGGEST CHEERLEADER
   Children learn more by example than by criticism. Work to be a positive role model, and reinforce positive behavior in others. Applaud good plays by others on your child's team as well as good plays by the opposing team. Do not criticize any child’s performance from the sidelines. Accept the results of each game. Teach your child to be gracious in victory and to turn defeat into victory by learning and working toward improvement. 
3. DON'T BE A SIDELINE COACH OR REF
   Refrain from coaching or refereeing from the sidelines. Parents who shout or scream from the sidelines often give inappropriate advice at the wrong time. The coach should be the only sideline voice. Remain well back from the sidelines and within the spectator area. You and your child will both enjoy the game more if you put some emotional distance between yourself and the field or play. Officials are symbols of fair play, integrity and sportsmanship - Do not openly question their judgment or honesty. 
4. DEMONSTRATE A POSITIVE ATTITUDE TOWARD YOUR OPPONENTS AND THEIR FAMILIES
   Opponents are not enemies. Take care to show good hospitality at home and to represent our club in a positive way when playing other clubs. Never allow yourself to be drawn into a verbal disagreement with opposing parents or coaches. No one has ever regretted letting “cooler heads prevail.”
5. REMEMBER THAT YOUR CHILD WANTS TO HAVE FUN
   Your child is the one playing soccer, not you. Children must establish their own goals - to play the game for themselves. Take care not to impose unreasonable demands on your child. Let your children experience the fun of playing as well as the challenge of excelling. 

General Expectations of Parkland Soccer Club Parents:

They will always set a good example for their child in his/her soccer development by adhering  to the following.

I/We will:

• Not criticize the referee openly or directly, during or after games. Any criticism shall be done in writing, sent to my coach and/or my club representative, not verbally.
• Give only positive feedback to players.
• Cheer at all games within the spirit of fair play and shall do our best to cheer the effort regardless of the outcome. We will be mindful in “lopsided” game where cheering our own “winning” team might be misunderstood.
• Do our best to teach our players to become students of the game.
• Show the quality of our sportsmanship during and after each game and help our child remember to thank the referee after the match without regard to the result.
• Do our very best to have our child prepared for every game.
• Support the learning efforts of the players, the coaches, and the referees by demonstrating our patience.
• Understand that improper behavior at a game may result in a parent being asked to leave the field by the referee, or a club official so the coach does not receive a yellow card caution or a red card ejection due to the action of the parent spectator.
• Leave the coaching to the coach during the game. We shall not give our child instructions during the game.
• Understand that the leagues can, and will if necessary, suspend our individual privilege to watch our child play should we behave in a manner that is rude or otherwise offensive.
• Agree to do our best to have as much fun watching the game as the players should have playing the game.

48 Hour rule

The 48hr rule is a rule that is in place to help keep peace between the coach and parents.  The rule is simple. Parents are not allowed to approach the coach or club directors about issues until 48hrs after a competition is over.

Reasons for the rule:

1. To allow the parents to calm down after the issue has developed
2. Allow the coach to calm down after the competition
3. Give parents and coaches time to think about the problem
4. To prevent any unnecessary acts or scenes in front of players and other parents
5. Calmer heads will prevail
6. To stop any embarrassing moments in front of the Players or child
7. The hope that time to think about the issues will help to solve the problem in a positive manner and the right resolution

Sometimes in the heat of the moment parents and coaches say things that they really don’t mean. This can hurt the player or team because things were not handled correctly. The parent & Coach relationship is important, but the overall decisions should be based on what is best for the team and players. The rule is in place to help protect the players and team.



Violations of the Parent Code of Conduct

Violations of the Parent Code of Conduct may result in:

• A Parent being suspended and/or removed from a game/tournament or training sessions.
• A Player being benched by the team’s coach for parent misconduct before, during, or after a game.
• A Member or Family could be released from PSC
  

Coaches

COACH CODE OF CONDUCT

Coaches must be aware that almost all of their everyday decisions and choices of actions have ethical implications.  It is natural that winning constitutes a basic concern for coaches.  This Code is not intended to conflict with that.  However, the Code calls for coaches to disassociate themselves from a win-at-all-costs attitude.  The health, safety, welfare and moral education of young people are a first priority, before the achievement or the reputation of the club, school, coach or parent.

GENERAL CODE OF CONDUCT

• Coaches must respect and treat each equally within the context of the sport, regardless of gender, nationality, race, sexual orientation, political belief or economic status.
• Coaches must place the well-being and safety of each player above all other considerations.  Coaches must never place the value of winning over the safety and welfare of the players.
• Coaches must adhere to this Code of Conduct and all applicable PSC policies and procedures.
• Coaches must direct comments or criticism at the athlete’s performance rather than the athlete.
• Coaches should encourage and guide players to accept responsibility for their own behavior and performance.
• Coaches must ensure that team activities are appropriate for the age, maturity, experience and ability of the players.
• PSC coaches may not privately coach any PSC player in exchange for a fee or any other form of gift or compensation.
• Private coaching is permitted provided it is made available to all players on a team free of charge.
• PSC coaches may not provide private coaching to any player who is attempting or planning to join PSC.
• Coaches must abstain from the use of tobacco and vaping products and alcohol while in the presence of athletes.  Coaches may not use or possess illegal substances.
• Coaches should cooperate fully with other specialists (e.g., other coaches, officials, sports scientists, doctors, physiotherapists) in the best interests of the player.
• Coaches should never condone or engage in violations of the laws of the game, behavior contrary to the spirit of the laws of the game or relevant rules and regulations or the use of prohibited substances.
• Coaches must consistently display high standards of behavior and professional appearance, including but not limited to their interactions with players, parents, officials and other coaches.
• Coaches must not use or tolerate inappropriate language.
• Coaches should regularly seek opportunities for professional development and continuing coaching education.
• Coaches shall avoid any conflict of interest, including those set forth in PSC Policy 111 and shall promptly notify the Executive Director if he/she suspects any possible conflict of interest, and shall work in good faith to resolve any conflict of interest as provided herein.  Any violation of this Code of Conduct may be reported to the Executive Director and a record of such violation may be included in the coach’s file and may impact their annual performance evaluation.  Violation of this Code of Conduct may result in disciplinary action, including and up to termination of employment.