Players Code of Behaviour
- Play by the rules
- Never argue with an official. If you disagree, have your captain, coach or manager approach the official during a break or after the competition.
- Control your temper. Verbal abuse of officials and sledging other players, deliberately distracting or provoking an opponent are not acceptable or permitted behaviours in any sport.
- Work equally hard for yourself and/or your team. Your team’s performance will benefit, so will you.
- Be a good sport. Applaud all good plays whether they are made by your team or the opposition.
- Treat all participants in your sport as you like to be treated. Do not bully or take unfair advantage of another competitor.
- Cooperate with your coach, teammates and opponents. Without them there would be no competition.
- Participate for your own enjoyment and benefit, not just to please parents and coaches.
- Respect the rights, dignity and worth of all participants regardless of their gender, ability, cultural background or religion.
Parents Code of Behaviour
- Remember that children participate in sport for their enjoyment, not yours.
- Encourage children to participate, do not force them.
- Focus on the child’s efforts and performance rather than winning or losing.
- Encourage children always to play according to the rules and to settle disagreements without resorting to hostility or violence.
- Never ridicule or yell at a child for making a mistake or losing a competition.
- Remember that children learn best by example. Appreciate good performances and skilful plays by all participants.
- Support all efforts to remove verbal and physical abuse from sporting activities.
- Respect officials’ decisions and teach children to do likewise.
- Show appreciation for volunteer coaches, officials and administrators. Without them, your child could not participate.
- Respect the rights, dignity and worth of every young person regardless of their gender, ability, cultural background or religion.
Coaches Code of Behaviour
- Remember that young people participate for pleasure and winning are only part of the fun.
- Never ridicule or yell at a young player for making a mistake or not coming first.
- Be reasonable in your demands on players’ time, energy and enthusiasm.
- Operate within the rules and spirit of your sport and teach your players to do the same.
- Ensure that the time players spend with you is a positive experience. All young people are deserving of equal attention and opportunities.
- Avoid overplaying the talented players; the just average need and deserve equal time.
- Ensure that equipment and facilities meet safety standards and are appropriate to the age and ability of all players.
- Display control, respect and professionalism to all involved with the sport. This includes opponents, coaches, officials, administrators, the media, parents and spectators. Encourage your players to do the same.
- Show concern and caution toward sick and injured players. Follow the advice of a physician when determining whether an injured player is ready to recommence training or competition.
- Obtain appropriate qualifications and keep up to date with the latest coaching practices and the principles of growth and development of young people.
- Any physical contact with a young person should be appropriate to the situation and necessary for the player’s skill development.
- Respect the rights, dignity and worth of every young person regardless of their gender, ability, cultural background or religion.
Administrators Code of Behaviour
- Involve young people in planning, leadership, evaluation and decision making related to the activity.
- Give all young people equal opportunities to participate.
- Create pathways for young people to participate in sport not just as a player but as a coach, referee, administrator etc.
- Ensure that rules, equipment, length of games and training schedules are modified to suit the age, ability and maturity level of young players.
- Provide quality supervision and instruction for junior players.
- Remember that young people participate for their enjoyment and benefit. Do not overemphasise awards.
- Help coaches and officials highlight appropriate behaviour and skill development, and help improve the standards of coaching and officiating.
- Ensure that everyone involved in junior sport emphasises fair play, and not winning at all costs.
- Give a code of behaviour sheet to spectators, officials, parents, coaches, players and the media, and encourage them to follow it.
- Remember, you set an example. Your behaviour and comments should be positive and supportive.
- Support implementation of the National Junior Sport Policy.
- Make it clear that abusing young people in any way is unacceptable and will result in disciplinary action.
- Respect the rights, dignity and worth of every young person regardless of their gender, ability, cultural background or religion.
Officials Code of Behaviour
- Modify rules and regulations to match the skill levels and needs of young people.
- Compliment and encourage all participants.
- Be consistent, objective and courteous when making decisions.
- Condemn unsporting behaviour and promote respect for all opponents.
- Emphasise the spirit of the game rather than the errors.
- Encourage and promote rule changes, which will make participation more enjoyable.
- Be a good sport yourself. Actions speak louder than words.
- Keep up to date with the latest trends in officiating and the principles of growth and development of young people.
- Remember, you set an example. Your behaviour and comments should be positive and supportive.
- Place the safety and welfare of the participants above all else.
- Give all young people a ‘fair go’ regardless of their gender, ability, cultural background or religion.
Spectators Code of Behaviour
- Remember that young people participate in sport for their enjoyment and benefit, not yours.
- Applaud good performance and efforts from all individuals and teams. Congratulate all participants on their performance regardless of the game’s outcome.
- Respect the decisions of officials and teach young people to do the same.
- Never ridicule or scold a young player for making a mistake. Positive comments are motivational
- Condemn the use of violence in any form, whether it is by spectators, coaches, officials or players.
- Show respect for your team’s opponents. Without them there would be no game.
- Encourage players to follow the rules and the officials’ decisions.
- Do not use foul language, sledge or harass players, coaches or officials.
