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Codes of conduct

For the Club to run efficiently and, most importantly, for the children and all associated with the Club to have a positive and enjoyable experience, it is essential that players, parents/carers and officials conduct themselves appropriately at all times. The Club wants all of its members to feel proud of the Club and to behave in such a way that the Club’s reputation is enhanced.

The following codes of practice for Coaches, Club Officials, Parents/Carers and Players have been produced to clarify and encourage the necessary standards of conduct. The Player’s Code of Conduct (the last page of this Annex) has been designed to encourage each child to take responsibility for reading and applying the Code themselves. Parents/carers are encouraged to discuss the Code with their child and to encourage them whenever they do what the Code asks.

PLAYERS

ALWAYS:

  • Show respect for: yourself; the game; team mates; your coaches; the other team and their supporters; the referee and officials; our club, its values and all of its members; and for different ideas and opinions
  • Respect referees’ decisions, even when they make mistakes (as they will, because we’re human and we all make mistakes!)
  • Show good manners to everyone you meet
  • Be welcoming and friendly towards visiting teams and their supporters
  • Offer to shake hands at the end of games – win, lose or draw
  • Be determined to be the best you can be
  • Train hard and play hard to win, but “play fair”, always within the rules
  • Try your best and enjoy your efforts as well as your achievements, because while you can’t always win, you can always try your best
  • Be on time for training and matches
  • Ensure that your kit is clean and tidy for all matches
  • Wear shin pads when training or playing
  • Play for the team, not yourself
  • Encourage your team mates, don’t criticise them
  • Control your temper
  • Remember that how you behave decides what other clubs think of Larkhall

NEVER:

  • Never use bad, aggressive, racist or sexist language or actions towards anyone
  • Never engage in gamesmanship or “professional” fouls
  • Never deliberately kick, hit or otherwise hurt another player

[An alternative/supplementary presentation of the players’ code of practice – more suitable for younger children (i.e. up to U9s/U10s) is at the end of this Annex. It is envisaged that this be made available to the children as a poster they can put on their wall if they wish.]

PARENTS/CARERS

Parents/Carers have a great influence on children’s enjoyment and success in football. All children play football because, first and foremost, they love the game - it’s fun. It is important to remember that however good a child becomes at football, your positive encouragement of your child’s efforts (and those of other children) will contribute greatly to:

  • Children enjoying football
  • A sense of personal achievement
  • Self-esteem
  • Improving the child’s skills and techniques

Please also be mindful that your expectations and attitude as a parent/carer have a significant bearing on your child’s attitude towards:

  • Other players (both those they are playing against and with)
  • Referees and officials
  • Coaches and managers
  • Spectators

Therefore, when watching your child train or play in a match, please ensure that you are always positive and encouraging towards all of the children not just your own. In particular, parents and carers are asked to:

ALWAYS:

  • Be prepared to “do your bit” by volunteering to help plan, organise or supervise club activities (see enclosed Volunteer form)
  • Encourage your child to feel and demonstrate respect for: themselves; the game; team mates; their coaches; the other team and their supporters; for referees and officials; for our club, its values and all of its members; and for different ideas and opinions
  • Show the same respect yourself
  • Encourage your child’s love for the game and for learning new skills and techniques
  • Be mindful that your expectations and attitude greatly affect your child’s attitude towards: team mates, opposing players, referees and officials, coaches and spectators
  • Ensure that you are positive and encouraging, not critical
  • Applaud the opposition as well as your own team
  • Be welcoming and friendly towards visiting teams and their supporters
  • Respect the referee’s and coaches’ decisions
  • Remember that how you behave decides what other clubs think of Larkhall
  • SET YOUR CHILD A GREAT EXAMPLE TO FOLLOW!

NEVER:

  • Force an unwilling child to play football
  • Never use bad, aggressive, racist or sexist language or actions towards anyone
  • Coach your child during the game

COACHES

  • 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 governing bodies
  • 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 benefit or reward
  • Coaches must encourage and guide players to accept responsibility for their own behaviour and performance
  • Coaches must ensure that the activities they direct or advocate are appropriate for the age, maturity, experience and ability of the players
  • Coaches should, at the outset, clarify with the players (and, where appropriate, their parent/carer) exactly what is expected of them and also what they are entitled to expect from their coach
  • Coaches must co-operate fully with other specialists (e.g. other coaches, officials, sports scientists, doctors, physiotherapists) in the best interests of the player
  • Coaches must always promote the positive aspects of the sport (e.g. Fair Play) and never condone violations of the Laws of the Game, behaviour contrary to the spirit of the Laws of the Game or relevant rules and regulations or the use of prohibited substances or techniques
  • Coaches must consistently display high standards of behaviour appearance
  • Coaches must not use or tolerate inappropriate language.

CLUB OFFICIALS

This Code applies to all team / club officials. All officials should:

  • Set a positive example for others, particularly young players and supporters
  • Give priority to the interests of the Club and its members over individual interests
  • Show due respect for the interests of the players, supporters and fellow officials
  • Share knowledge and experience when invited to do so, taking into account the interest of the person/body that has requested this rather than personal interests
  • Avoid all forms of gamesmanship
  • Show due respect to match officials and others involved in the game
  • Always have regard for the best interests of the game, including where publicly expressing an opinion of the game and any particular aspect of it, including others involved in the game
  • Not use or tolerate inappropriate language or behaviour
  • Enact and promote ethical principles
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