Parents’ Responsibilities 

Parents are responsible for:

• Ensuring that their children are properly registered for each upcoming season. Registration is held twice each year in accordance with the Club by-laws.
• Providing their medical insurance company and policy number upon registration. Failure to provide this information will result in the registrant being ineligible to play. If no medical insurance coverage is provided by the family the Club must be notified.
• Sending a copy of a birth certificate for players who have not played in the Stoneham Soccer Club organization within the past three years. New registrants cannot be accepted without certification of birth date.
• Verifying all information on the roster relative to your child. Report any incorrect information to the registrar immediately so that the club records can be updated.
• Notifying the registrar if you do not want your telephone number published. The number will be given to the coach and not printed on the roster. It is important that the club has the correct nighttime phone number on record since it is the only means of contacting you.
• Providing each player with the complete uniform as prescribed by the Stoneham Soccer Club.
• Providing transportation for their children to and from games and practices. A roster of team members is provided so that car pools may be arranged.
• Ensuring that your child is on time for practices and at the field at least 15 minutes prior to scheduled game time.
• Arranging to have your child picked up promptly after games and practices. Many coaches wait until all children have been picked up before leaving the field so as to not leave children unsupervised. Coaches have been kept late repeatedly by the same parents. Please be considerate of those who are donating their time for your children.
• Reading the list of player responsibilities and help your child meet them.

Parents’ Code of Conduct

Behavior such as interfering with play or other players will be acted upon by the Board of Directors.

Mass Youth Soccer has developed and produced an outstanding video focusing on the issues of sideline behavior of adults:  http://www.mayouthsoccer.org/video/attitudes.wmv

Featuring actual game footage shot during league games and at tournaments, the video shows adults being themselves – their comments, actions and antics along the sidelines.  You will hear referees talk about how the sideline behavior of adults affects them, and the impact the comments can have on matches. More importantly you will hear from the players themselves – what they think of the comments from the sidelines. Players ranging from age 11 to age 17 were interviewed and provide suggestions. The player's comments, like those made by Jordan (age 11) prove to be particularly insightful.   

Parent behavior along the sideline is shown in a constructive fashion. It's easy to see how involved adults become and how easy it is to slip over the line from being supportive to being critical. The video highlights several very simple steps to improve the situation along the sideline.  We all want to ensure our children have a positive, fun experience playing the game.

This video goes a long way to help encourage that. The video is appropriate for viewing by coaches, players AND parents of teams at all age groups.  

Parents and other spectators will:

• Be encouraging, supportive, & affirmative in regard to your child’s play on the field in word and deed. Please do not use bad language or negative comments.
• Respect officials & accept their decisions.
• Support the coach, manager, the team, & the club.
• Volunteer services & talents to the club when possible.  
• Become familiar with the rules of the game;
• Comply with rules, policies, & procedures of the team & Club.
• Stay off the field during play.
• Never engage in dissent directed toward an official.
• Never engage in any kind or type of unsportsmanlike conduct with any official, coach, player, or parent.
• Never make negative comments about opponents or the way they play - talk up your own team instead.
• Never interfere at any time with the duties and responsibilities of the coach or manager.
• Never act in any manner which is detrimental to the team or the Club.