Youth
& Parent Sport Code of Conduct
Youth
sports programs play an important role in promoting the physical, social, and
emotional development of children. It is therefore essential for parents,
coaches, and officials to encourage participants to embrace the values of good
sportsmanship. Moreover, adults involved in youth sports events should be
models of good sportsmanship and should lead by example by demonstrating
fairness, respect, and self control. This contract will be kept on permanent
record with the respective sports league and a copy shown to the Recreation
Department.
I therefore pledge to be
responsible for my words and actions while attending, coaching, officiating or
participating in a youth sports event and shall conform my behavior to the
following Code of Conduct:
1.
I
will not force my child to participate in sports.
2.
I
will remember that children participate to have fun and that the game is for
youth, not adults.
3.
I
will inform the coach of any physical disability or ailment that may affect the
safety of my child or the safety of others.
4.
I
will learn the rules of the game and the policies of the league.
5.
I
(and my guests) will be a positive role model for my child and encourage
sportsmanship by showing respect and courtesy, and by demonstrating positive
support for all players, coaches, officials, and spectators at every game,
practice or other sporting event.
6.
I
(and my guests) will not engage in any kind of unsportsmanlike conduct with any
official, coach, player or parent such as booing and taunting, refusing to
shake hands or using profane language or gestures.
7.
I
(and my guests) will not encourage any behaviors or practices that would endanger
the health, safety, and well being of my child or other participants.
8.
I
will teach my child to play by the rules and to resolve conflicts without
resorting to hostility or violence.
9.
I
will teach my child to treat other players, coaches, officials, and spectators
with respect regardless of race, creed, color, gender, sexual orientation,
national origin or ability.
10.
I
will teach my child that doing one’s best is more important than winning, so
that my child will never feel defeated by the outcome of the game or his/her
performance.
11.
I
will praise my child for competing fairly and trying hard, and make my child
feel like a winner every time.
12.
I
will never ridicule or yell at my child or other participant for making a
mistake or losing a competition.
13.
I
will emphasize skill development and practices and how they benefit my child
over winning. I will also de-emphasize competition in lower age groups.
14.
I
(and my guests) will reframe from making threats, and initiating a fight or scuffle
with any coach, parent, player, participant or any other attendee.
15.
I
(and my guests) will respect the officials and coaches and their authority
during games. I will never question, discuss or confront officials or coaches
at the game / field. I will take time to
speak with coaches at an agreed upon time and place.
16.
I
(and my guests) understand that the use of alcohol, tobacco, and drugs are
prohibited at all youth sports events. I will not attend, coach, officiate or
participate in a youth sports event while under the influence of drugs or
alcohol.
17.
I
will refrain from coaching my child or other players during games and
practices, unless I am one of the official coaches of the team.
Penalties
If I fail to follow the Sport Code of Ethics I
understand that I may be subject to one of the following penalties:
Prohibited from attending child’s games for an
established number of games.
Suspension from attending child’s games for the
entire season.
Suspension of child and parent from the games
for the entire season.