Codes of Behaviour

Players’Code of Behaviour

1. Play by the rules

2. Never argue with an official. If you disagree, have your captain, coach or manager approach the official during a break or after the competition.

3. Control your temper. Verbal abuse of officials or other players, deliberately distracting or provoking an opponent is not acceptable or permitted in any sport.

4. Work equally hard for yourself and/or your team.
Your team’s performance will benefit, so will you.

5. Be a good sport. Applaud all good plays whether they are by your team or the opposition.

6. Treat all players, as you would like to be treated.
Do not interfere with, bully or take unfair advantage of another player.

7. Co-operate with your coach, teammates and opponents. Without them there would be no competition.

8. Play for the fun of it, and not just to please parents and coaches.



Coaches’Code of Behaviour

1. Remember that children participate for pleasure and that winning is only part of the fun.

2. Never ridicule or yell at a child for making a mistake or losing.

3. Be reasonable in your demands on young players’ time, energy and enthusiasm.

4. Teach your players to follow the rules.

5. Whenever possible, group players to ensure that everyone has a reasonable chance of success.

6. Avoid overplaying the talented players. The just average need and deserve equal time.

7. Ensure that equipment and facilities meet safety standards and are appropriate to the age and ability of the players.

8. Develop team respect for the ability of opponents and for the judgements of officials and opposing coaches.

9. Follow the advice of a physician when determining when an injured player is ready to recommence training or competition.

10. Keep up to date with the latest coaching practices and the principles of growth and development of children.

11. Create opportunities to teach appropriate sports behaviour as well as basic skills.



Parents'Code of Behaviour

1. Remember that children play sport for their enjoyment, not yours.

2. Encourage children to participate, do not force them.

3. Focus on the child’s efforts and performance rather than winning or losing.

4. Encourage children to always participate according to the rules.

5. Never ridicule or yell at a child for making a mistake or losing a game.

6. Remember that children learn best by example.
Applaud good play by all teams.

7. Support all efforts to remove verbal and physical abuse from sporting activities.

8. Respect officials’ decisions and teach children to do likewise.

9. Show appreciation of volunteer coaches, officials and administrators. Without them, your child could not participate.



Teachers’Code of Behaviour

1. Encourage children to develop basic skills in a variety of sports and discourage over- specialisation in one sport or one playing position.

2. Create opportunities to teach appropriate sports behaviour as well as basic skills

3. Give priority to free play activities, skill learning and appropriate sports behaviour over highly structured competitions for primary school children.

4. Prepare children for intra and inter school competition by instruction in basic sports skills.

5. Make children aware of the positive benefits of participation in sporting activities.

6. Keep up to date with the latest coaching practices and the principles of physical growth and development.

7. Help children understand the differences between the junior competition they play and professional sport.

8. Help children understand that playing by the rules is their responsibility.

9. Give all children equal opportunities to participate.



Administrators’Code of Behaviour

1. Involve young people in the planning, leadership, evaluation and decision making related to the activity.

2. Give all children equal opportunities to participate.

3. Ensure that rules, equipment, length of games and training schedules suit the age, ability and maturity level of participants.

4. Provide quality supervision and instruction for junior players.

5. Remember that children participate for enjoyment.

6. Don’t over-emphasize awards.

7. Help coaches and officials highlight appropriate behaviour and skill development, and help improve the standards of coaching and officiating.

8. Ensure that everyone involved in junior sport emphasizes fair play, not winning at all costs.

9. Give a code of behaviour sheet to spectators, officials, parents, coaches, players and the media, and encourage them to stick to it.

10. Remember, you set an example. Your behaviour and comments should be positive and supportive.

11. Support the implementation a National Junior
Sport Policy.



Officials’Code of Behaviour

1. Modify rules and regulations to match the skill levels and needs of children.

2. Compliment and encourage all participants.

3. Be consistent, objective and courteous when making decisions.

4. Condemn unsporting behaviour and promote respect for all opponents.

5. Emphasize the spirit of the game rather than errors.

6. Encourage and promote rule changes, which will make participation more enjoyable.

7. Be a good sport yourself. Actions speak louder than words.

8. Keep up to date with the latest trends in officiating and knowledge of growth and development of children.

9. Remember, you set an example. Your behaviour and comments should be positive and supportive.



Spectators’Code of Behaviour

1. Remember that children play sport for their enjoyment, not yours.

2. Applaud good performance and efforts from each team. Congratulate all participants upon their performance regardless of the game’s outcome.

3. Respect officials’ decisions and teach children to do the same.

4. Never ridicule or scold a child for making a mistake. Positive comments are motivational.

5. Condemn the use of violence in any form, be it by spectators, coaches, officials or players.

6. Show respect for your team’s opponents. Without them there would be no game.

7. Encourage players to follow the rules and the officials’ decisions.

8. Do not use foul language or harass players, coaches or officials.



Medias’Code of Behaviour

1. Provide coverage of children’s competitive and non-competitive sport as well as reporting adult sport.

2. Be aware of the differences between adult sports programs and children’s sports programs.

3. Don’t highlight isolated incidents of inappropriate sporting behaviour.

4. Focus upon the children’s fair play and their honest effort.

5. Do not place unfair expectations upon children.
They are not miniature professionals.

6. Describe and outline the problems of children participating in organised sports.