Code Of Conducts

CODE OF CONDUCT FOR FOOTBALL

The code applies to all those involved in football under the auspices of The Football Association (FA). Whether they are player, official, coach, owner or administrator, everyone has a responsibility, above and beyond compliance with the law, to act with the highest standard of integrity and ensure that the excellent reputation of the game is maintained.

COMMUNITY: Football is a vital part of the community and the club takes this into accountwhen making decisions.

EQUALITY: Football opposes discrimination in any form and promotes measures to prevent itfrom being expressed.

PARTICIPANTS: Football recognises the ownership felt by all participants at every level of thegame and is committed to appropriate inclusion and consultation.

YOUNG PEOPLE: Football acknowledges the extent of its influence over young people andpledges to set a positive example.

PROPRIETY: Football acknowledges that public confidence demands the highest standard offinancial and administrative behaviour within the game and does not tolerate corruption or improper practices.

TRUST AND RESPECT: Football upholds the relationship of trust and respect between allinvolved in the game, whether they be individuals, clubs or other organisations.

VIOLENCE: Football rejects the use of violence of any nature, by anyone, involved in thegame.

FAIRNESS: Football is committed to fairness in its dealings with all involved in the game.

INTEGRITY AND FAIR PLAY: Football is committed to playing to win consistent with fair play.

In adherence to the FA’s Respect programme, and consistent with The Club’s philosophy to uphold the principles of fair play and respect on and off the pitch, the following Codes of Conduct apply.

CODE OF CONDUCT FOR COACHES

We all have a responsibility to promote high standards of behaviour in the game.

Coaches must play their part and observe The Football Association’s Respect Code of Conduct in everything they do.

On and off the field Coaches will:

  1. Show respect to others involved in the game including match officials, opposition players, coaches, managers, officials and spectators
  2. Adhere to the laws and spirit of the game
  3. Promote Fair Play and high standards of behaviour
  4. Always respect the match official’s decision
  5. Never enter the field of play without the referee’s permission
  6. Never engage in public criticism of the match officials
  7. Never engage in, or tolerate, offensive, insulting or abusive language or behaviour.
  8. Cooperate fully with others in football (e.g. officials, doctors, physiotherapists, welfare officers), for each player’s best interests.
  9. Whilst representing the club, always be wearing identifiable club clothing.

When working with players, Coaches will:

  1. Place the well-being, safety and enjoyment of each player above everything, including winning
  2. Explain exactly what is expected of players and what they can expect from the you
  3. Ensure that all parents/carers of all players under the age of 18 understand these expectations
  4. Never engage in or tolerate any form of bullying
  5. Develop mutual trust and respect with every player to build their self-esteem
  6. Encourage each player to accept responsibility for their own behaviour and performance
  7. Ensure all activities are appropriate for the players’ ability level, age and maturity
  8. Cooperate fully with others in football (e.g. officials, doctors, physiotherapists, welfare officers), for each player’s best interests.

If the Coach does not follow the Code, The Club may apply any/all of the following actions to the Coach:

Require their meeting with the Club Committee or Welfare Officer Monitoring by another Club coach

Require attendance at an FA education course Suspension by the club from attending matches

Suspension, fined or be required to leave The Club

Require their meeting with the League or CWO or have FACA membership withdrawn.

THE FA CODE OF CONDUCT FOR COACHES

In addition to The Club’s Code of Conduct for Coaches, The FA Coaches Association Code of Conduct is a benchmark for all involved incoaching:

  • 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 the formats
  • 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 players
  • Coaches should at the outset clarify with the players, and where appropriate, parents, exactly what is expected of them and also what they are entitled to expect from the Coach.
  • Coaches must cooperate fully with other specialists e.g. other coaches, officials, sports scientists and doctors/ physiotherapists in the best interests of the player.
  • Coaches must always promote the positive aspects of 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 roles and regulations or the use of prohibited substances or techniques
  • Coaches must consistently display high standards of behaviour and appearance
  • Coaches must not use or tolerate inappropriate language.

It is recognised within the sport that coaches are key to the establishment of ethics in football, as their attitude of what constitutes appropriate conduct directly affect the behaviour of the players under their supervision.

It is natural that winning constitutes a basic concern for coaches. This code is not intended to conflict with that, rather it calls coaches to disassociate themselves from a “win at all costs” attitude.

CODE OF CONDUCT FOR YOUNG PLAYERS

All players are expected to follow the Respect Code of Conduct.

When playing football, the player will:

  1. Always play to the best of their ability
  2. Play fairly – not cheat, complain or waste time
  3. Respect my team-mates, the other team, the referee or my coach/manager
  4. Play by the rules, as directed by the referee
  5. Shake hands with the other team and referee at the end of the game
  6. Listen and respond to what my coach/team manager tells me
  7. Talk to someone I trust or the Club Welfare Officer if I’m unhappy about anything at my club.

Players understand that if they do not follow the Code, any/all of the following actions may be taken by the Club. The Player may:

Be required to apologise to my teammates, the other team, referee or team manager Receive a formal warning from the coach or The Club Committee

Be dropped or substituted
Be suspended from training
Be required to leave The Club.

In addition:

The Club may make my parent or carer aware of any infringements of the Code of Conduct

The FA/County FA could impose a fine and suspension against my club.

CODE OF CONDUCT FOR TEAM AND CLUB OFFICIALS

We all have a responsibility to promote high standards of behaviour in the game. This code applies to all team and club officials.

Obligations towards the game

  • Set a positive example for others particularly young players and supporters
  • Promote and develop teams as regards the interests of the players, supporters and reputation of the national game
  • Share knowledge and experience, when requested, to the benefit of The Club as a whole and not that of individual members
  • 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 when publicly expressing an opinion of the game and any particular aspect of it, including others involved in the game

Obligations towards the team

Make every effort to develop the technical and tactical levels of The Club/team, and to obtain the best results for Club teams using all permitted means, giving priority to the interests of the players, coaches, officials and others.

On and off the field, I will:

  1. Show respect to others involved in the games including match officials, opposition players, coaches, managers, officials and spectators.
  2. Adhere to the laws and spirit of the game.
  3. Promote Fair Play and high standards of behaviour
  4. Always respect the match official’s decision
  5. Never enter the field of play without the referee’s permission
  6. Never engage in public criticism of match officials
  7. Never engage in, or tolerate, offensive insulting or abusive language or behaviour.

When working with players, I will:

  1. Place the well-being, safety and enjoyment of each player above everything, including winning
  2. Explain exactly what I expect from players what they can expect from me
  3. Ensure all parents/carers of all players under the age of 18 understand these expectations
  4. Never engage in or tolerate any form of bullying
  5. Develop mutual trust and respect with every player to build their self-esteem
  6. Encourage each plater to accept responsibility for their own behaviour and performance
  7. Ensure all activities I organise are appropriate for the player’s ability level, age and maturity
  8. Co-operate fully with others in football (e.g officials, doctors, physiotherapists, welfare officers) for each player’s best interests.

I understand that if I do not follow the Code, any or all of the following actions may be taken by my club, county FA, league or The FA:

Required to meet with the club, league, or County Welfare Officer Required to meet with the club committee

Monitored by another club coach

Required to attend an FA education course

Suspended by the club from attending matches Suspended or fined by the County FA

Required to leave or be sacked by the club

In addition my FACA (FA Coaches Association) membership may be withdrawn.

CODE OF CONDUCT FOR PARENTS, CARERS AND SPECTATORS

The parents, guardians and spectators have a great influence on children’s enjoyment and success with football. The children play football because of their love of the game and because of the fun they derive from it. No matter how good our children become at football, we all have a responsibility to promote and reinforce the message to all involved that positive encouragement is the way forward.

This feedback will contribute to:

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

The Club expects spectators and parents to observe the FA’s Respect Code of Conduct for

Spectators and Parents/Carers at all times:

  1. Remember that children play for FUN
  2. Applaud effort and good play as well as success
  3. Always respect the match official’s decisions
  4. Remain outside the field of play and within the Designated Spectator’s area (where provided)
  5. Let the coach do their job and not confuse the players by telling them what to do
  6. Encourage the players to respect the opposition referee, and match officials
  7. Avoid criticising a player for making a mistake – mistakes are part of learning
  8. Never engage in, or tolerate, offensive, insulting or abusive language or behaviour.

Should a spectator or parent/carer not follow the Code, any or all of the following actions may be taken against the spectator/ parent/carer:

  1. Issued with a verbal warning from a Club or League official
  2. Required to meet with The Club, League or County Welfare Officer
  3. Required to meet with the club Committee
  4. Obliged to leave The Club and not attend future games
  5. Suspended or have Club Membership removed
  6. Required to leave The Club along with any dependents.

In addition, The FA/County FA could impose a fine and or suspension against The Club.

The behaviour and attitudes of parents, carers and spectators have a significant bearing on all of the children. By adopting a positive attitude within our Club we encourage our children to view other players, officials, managers and spectators in a positive and respectful way.

As a guide, parents, guardians and spectators should try to adopt the following:

  • Applaud the opposition as well as your own team
  • Don’t shout and scream
  • Give attention to each of the children involved in football not just the most talented
  • Give encouragement to everyone to participate in football

CODE OF CONDUCT FOR MATCH OFFICIALS

We all have a responsibility to promote high standards of behaviour in the game. The behaviour of the match officials has an impact, directly and indirectly, on the conduct of everyone in the game – both on the pitch and on the side lines.

Match Officials will observe The FA’s Respect Code of Conduct for Match Officials:

I understand that if I do not follow the Code, any or all of the following actions may be taken by the County FA or The FA.