Article VIII – Code of Conduct

Section 1 - Sportsmanship and Conduct Disciplinary Committee

Reviewed and Approved by the CSC Board November 21,2002 - Effective January 1, 2003

The Board of Directors’ Executive Committee shall have the right and authority to suspend, ban completely, or otherwise discipline any Chichester Soccer Club player, coach, manager, team official, or officer for violations of the Chichester Soccer Club’s Constitution, By-Laws, General Operating Procedures, or Specific Association Rules. The Board of Directors’ Executive Committee will act on the recommendation of the Sportsmanship and Conduct Disciplinary Committee, which shall consist of the Vice-President of Competition, Divisional Coordinator, Head Referee, Travel Director, two members of the Player Development Committee, and one Presidential Appointee.

A. The Board of Directors shall exercise its authority to suspend or expel any adult member whose conduct is considered detrimental to the best interest of CSC by a majority vote at a duly constituted meeting.

B. The use, by any member or youth in CSC of profanity, alcoholic beverages, drugs or fighting on CSC premises or wherever official CSC matches or practices are being held, shall be considered as grounds for expulsion from CSC and all of its activities in accordance with Paragraphs A and C of this Section.

C. The Sportsmanship and Conduct Disciplinary Committee, upon evidence of serious misconduct by any youth in CSC, shall notify the youth, parents and the Coach of the team of which the youth is a member within 72 hours and direct all to appear before a duly constituted meeting of the SCDC. The SCDC shall have the authority to suspend, revoke or extend such youth's right to future participation in CSC. The youth shall have the right to appeal an expulsion from CSC to the Board of Directors’ Executive Committee. This appeal must be in writing and received by the Executive Committee within 72 hours of the SCDC decision.

D. Disciplinary action taken against any CSC member within any CSC program (Intramural or Travel) will be served in all programs unless otherwise stated by the SCDC. All incidents will be reviewed by the SCDC. The SCDC has the authority to rescind the disciplinary action if necessary.

Section 2 - CSC Parent/Coach Code of Conduct

Reviewed and Approved By CSC Board November 21,2002 - Effective January 1, 2003

A. In order to instill a positive environment for learning and playing the game of soccer it is imperative that the Chichester Soccer Club establishes a Parent/ Coach Code of Conduct. Recent instances of unsportsmanlike behavior in the world of youth sports make this policy an important and necessary step to ensure the development of youth soccer. In order to implement this, all parents will be required to read and sign a “code of conduct” document before being allowed to register their children.

The code of conduct document is as follows:

Parent/Coach Code of Conduct

Ø I will maintain a “fun is #1 attitude”.

Ø I will teach my CHILD (ren) by giving them a good example of sportsmanship.

Ø I will encourage good sportsmanship by demonstrating positive support for all players, coaches and officials at every game and practice.

Ø I will treat officials, coaches, my CHILD (ren), their teammates and their opponents with respect and avoid ridicule or sarcasm.

Ø I will praise my CHILD (ren), their teammates, and opponents for participating, regardless of their athletic skills.

Ø I will remain calm when my CHILD (ren) or their teammates make a mistake, and help them learn from their mistakes. I will never ridicule or yell at my CHILD (ren) or any other participant for making a mistake or losing a competition.

Ø 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.

Ø I will try not to take myself too seriously when it comes to my involvement in youth sports, reminding myself that youth sports are for children, not adults.

Ø I will emphasize teamwork in team sports with my CHILD (ren), teaching them to think “we” instead of “me”.

Ø I will inform the coach of any physical disability or ailment that may affect the safety of my CHILD (ren) or the safety of others.

Ø I will learn the rules of the game and the policies of the league.

Ø I will teach my CHILD (ren) to play by the rules and to resolve conflict without resorting to hostility or violence.

Ø I will teach my CHILD (ren) that doing one’s best is more important than winning, so that my CHILD (ren) will never feel defeated by the outcome of a game or his/her performance.

Ø I will promote the emotional and physical well-being of the athletes ahead of any personal desire i may have for my CHILD (ren) to win.

Ø I will demand a sports environment for my CHILD (ren) that is free from drugs, tobacco, and alcohol and i will refrain from their use at sporting events.

Ø I will refrain from coaching my CHILD (ren) or OTHER PLAYERS during games and practices, unless i am one of the official coaches of the team or am asked to do so by the coach.

Ø I also agree that if i fail to abide by the code of conduct i will be subject to disciplinary action that could include, but is not limited to the following:

§ Verbal warning by league adminstrator, official, and/ or head coach

§ Written warning from the league

§ Parental game suspension with written documentation of incident kept on file by CSC

§ Game forfeit through the official or coach

§ Parental season suspension

WINNING WITHOUT GLOATING LOSING WITHOUT COMPLAINING

B. The administration of the Parent Code of Conduct is governed by the Sportsmanship and Conduct Disciplinary Committee established by the Executive Committee of the Board of Directors. Infractions of the Code of Conduct are reviewed by the SCDC and disciplinary action is recommended to the Executive Committee, which governs suspensions and expulsions from CSC. Appeals of any disciplinary decision are governed by the by-law that establishes the SCDC. All appeals must be in writing and received by the Executive Committee within 72 hours.

C. The Disciplinary Sportsmanship Committee will review any Coach’s conduct that is detrimental to the purpose of CSC and non-compliant with its laws.

Section 3 –Coaches Code of Conduct, Addition

Reviewed and Approved by CSC Board November 21,2002 Effective January 1, 2003

A. Conduct of the coach and assistant coaches during practices and game sets the tone for the entire team and the league as a whole. Coaches should:

1. Encourage clean and sportsmanlike behavior.

2. Stress good effort instead of winning.

3. Develop team morale.

4. Maximize praise and minimize criticism.

5. Make corrections slowly and calmly.

6. Coach all players, regardless of skill, with equal enthusiasm.

7. Welcome feedback from players and parents.

8. Take appropriate action to prevent running up the score on an opponent.

B. Treat game referees with respect. Set a good example by accepting all calls by the referees graciously. All calls are "in the opinion of the referee", who is a trained official. If you disagree with a critical call, discuss it with the referee after the game is over, and perhaps you (or the official) will learn something. Dissent of a referee's decision in an abusive or overt manner could result in the issuance of a caution (yellow card) by the referee. Continuing dissent could result in being sent off (red card). The Sportsmanship and Conduct Committee in accordance with the CSC By-Laws to determine if the misconduct warrants further disciplinary action shall review any incident resulting in send-off of a CSC coach.

Section 4 - Players Code of Conduct

Reviewed and Approved By CSC Board November 21, 2002 - Effective January 1, 2003

A. In order to instill a positive environment for learning and playing youth soccer, the Chichester Soccer Club hereby establishes a player code of conduct to be followed by every member of the CSC. The aim of youth sports is the personal and character development of each participant and that each player is entitled to equal opportunity and consideration in every situation. With that in mind it is incumbent upon each participant to display sportsmanlike and positive behavior on the field during games and practices. The Player Code of Conduct is as follows:

CSC Players’ Code of Conduct

Ø I understand that being allowed to play soccer in the CSC is a privilege, and that I am expected to follow this Code of Conduct at all times.

Ø I will treat my fellow teammates, opposition players, the coaches, the officials, and all of the team parents with RESPECT AND DIGNITY.

Ø I will offer positive encouragement and assistance to my teammates.

Ø I will refrain from using profane language, obscene gestures, taunting, or yelling at teammates, opposition, coaches, officials, or parents AT ALL TIMES.

Ø I will strive to be the best soccer player that I can be, both in games and practices. This means I will be attentive to my coaches’ instructions and respect the time spent by the coaches to improve me as a soccer player.

Ø I understand that I must “play the whistle” and not whine or complain to the referee, and that I must give the ball promptly to my opponent for their throw-ins, free kicks, etc. In other words I must always display good sportsmanship.

Ø I understand that TEAM SPIRIT does not just happen. It comes with hard work and commitment to myself and to my team. I will work hard and commit myself to my team and its success by attending all practices and games and giving my best effort whenever I involve myself with the team. If I CANNOT attend a game or practice I will notify the coach of my absence.

Ø I understand that failure to abide by this Code of Conduct could result in my suspension or expulsion from the team or CSC. Zero tolerance is the policy of CSC for any abusive behavior towards any official, coach, OPPONENT, parent or teammate. Respect your team, respect yourself.

Ø I hereby pledge to provide a positive attitude and be responsible for my behavior while participating in CSC by following the CSC Players’ Code of Conduct.

Each player shall read and sign the Code of Conduct prior to first practice. Designated player will read code of Conduct aloud at beginning of first practice. Code of Conduct can be read by coach to team at any time during season to reinforce the principles and be used as a learning tool. Designated player or official will recite code of Conduct at formal functions of CSC.

The administration of the Players’ Code of Conduct is governed by the Sportsmanship and Conduct Disciplinary Committee established by the Executive Committee of the Board of Directors. Infractions of the Code of Conduct are reviewed by the SCDC and disciplinary action is recommended to the Executive Committee, which governs suspensions and expulsions from CSC. Appeals of any disciplinary action are governed by the by-law that establishes the SCDC. All appeals must be in writing and received by the Executive Committee within 72 hours.