Goldfields Soccer Association
Code of Behaviour

Players

• 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 and 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, team mates 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.

Coaches

• Remember that young people participate for pleasure and winning is 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.

Spectators

As a spectator in any activity held by or under the auspices of the Goldfields Soccer Association Inc., a member association or an affiliated club, you must meet the following requirements in regard to your conduct during any such activity or event:

• 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 other spectators, coaches, officials or players.

• Show respect for your team's opponents. Without them there would be no game.

• Do not use violence, harassment or abuse in any form (that is, do not use foul language, sledge or harass players, coaches, officials or other spectators).

• Respect the rights, dignity and worth of every person regardless of their gender, ability, cultural background or religion.

Parents and Guardians

As a parent/guardian of a player/participant in any activity held by or under the auspices of the Goldfields Soccer Association Inc, a member association or an affiliated club, you must meet the following requirements in regard to your conduct during any such activity or event:

• Respect the rights, dignity and worth of others.

• Remember that your child participates in sport for their own enjoyment, not yours.

• Focus on your child's efforts and performance rather than winning or losing.

• Never ridicule or yell at your child and other children for making a mistake or losing a competition.

• Show appreciation for good performance and skilful plays by all players (including opposing players).

• Demonstrate a high degree of individual responsibility especially when dealing with or in the vicinity of persons under the age of 18 years, as your words and actions are an example.

• Respect officials' decisions and teach children to do likewise.

• Do not physically or verbally abuse or harass anyone associated with the sport (player, coach, umpire and so on).

• Respect the rights, dignity and worth of every young person regardless of their gender, ability, cultural background or religion.

• Be a positive role model.

• Understand the repercussions if you breach, or are aware of any breaches of, this code of behaviour.

General

As a member of the Goldfields Soccer Association Inc, a member association or an affiliated club or a person required to comply with the Goldfields Soccer Association Inc, you must meet the following requirements in regard to your conduct during any activity held or sanctioned by the Goldfields Soccer Association Inc, a member association or an affiliated club and in any role you hold within the Goldfields Soccer Association Inc, a member association or an affiliated club:

• Respect the rights, dignity and worth of others.

• Be fair, considerate and honest in all dealing with others.

• Be professional in, and accept responsibility for, your actions.

• Make a commitment to providing quality service.

• Be aware of, and maintain an uncompromising adhesion to, the Goldfields Soccer Association Inc's standards, rules, regulations and policies.

• Operate within the rules of the sport including national and international guidelines which govern the Goldfields Soccer Association Inc, the member associations and the affiliated clubs.

• Do not use your involvement with the Goldfields Soccer Association Inc, a member association or an affiliated club to promote your own beliefs, behaviours or practices where these are inconsistent with those of the Goldfields Soccer Association Inc, a member association or an affiliated club.

• Demonstrate a high degree of individual responsibility especially when dealing with persons under the age of 18 years, as your words and actions are an example.

• Avoid unaccompanied and unobserved activities with persons under the age of 18 years, wherever possible.

• Refrain from any form of harassment of others.

• Refrain from any behaviour that may bring the Goldfields Soccer Association Inc, a member association or an affiliated club into disrepute.

• Provide a safe environment for the conduct of the activity.

• Show concern and caution towards others who may be sick or injured.

• Be a positive role model.

• Understand the repercussions if you breach, or are aware of any breaches of, this code of behaviour.