Middle Country Children’s Soccer
Sportsmanship Policy
This policy
has been written and adopted to help maintain a healthy balance
between fair play and safety. The club’s goal is to establish a
better relationship between coaches, players and officials. It is
intended to help coaches, players, parents and spectators be aware
of the true meaning of sportsmanship.
·
Sportsmanship - defined as the practice of participating in sports with a conduct and
attitude that is considered befitting of that participant,
especially fair play and courtesy. It encompasses both ethical
behavior and acts of integrity.
·
Ethics
- defined as the principals of right and wrong that are accepted
by and individual or group. It is a system of principals governing
behavior.
·
Integrity
- defined as a firm adherence to a code of values that incorporate
principles of honesty.
Fundamentals of Sportsmanship
1.
Gain
an understanding and appreciation for the rules of the
game.
Know the rules. If you do
not know the rules, refrain from expressing opinions on coaches or
officials. The SPIRIT
of good sportsmanship depends
on conformance to a rule’s intent as well as the letter
of the law.
2.
Exercise representative behavior at all times.
Your behavior influences
others whether you are aware of it or not.
3.
Recognize and show appreciation for an outstanding play by
either team.
Applause for an
opponent’s good performance displays generosity and
courtesy that should be regularly practiced. This reflects
a true awareness of the game by
recognizing and acknowledging quality.
4.
Exhibit respect for the official(s).
Officials are an impartial
arbitrator. They have been trained in the laws of
the game and are performing to the best of their ability.
Mistakes by all participants
are part of the game. The rule of GOOD SPORTSMANSHIP is
to accept and abide by the official’s decisions.
5.
Openly display respect for your opponent at all times.
Opponents should be treated
cordially and be accorded tolerance. Treat
them as you would want to be treated. Be a positive
representative of your
team and club at all times.
6.
Display pride in your actions at all times.
Never allow your ego to
interfere with good judgment and your
responsibility as a team and
club representative.
Conduct Guidelines and Behavior Expectations
Coaches:
·
Respect the integrity
and personality of the individual athlete
·
Exemplify the highest
moral character, behavior and leadership. Adhere to strong ethical
and integrity standards.
·
Learn the rules of
the game and teach them in good spirit.
·
Set a good example
for players and spectators. Refrain from the following:
1.
Arguments in front of your team and parents.
2.
Gestures indicating an official or opposing coach does not
know what they are doing or talking about.
3.
Throwing objects in disgust.
·
Shake hands with
opposing coaches and officials before and after each match.
·
Respect the integrity
of the official. By giving respect, you get respect.
·
Never use profanity
or other objectionable language.
·
Be responsible for
your players and your sideline.
·
Make sportsmanship
your first priority
Players:
·
Learn the rules of
the game as applicable to your level of play.
·
Treat opposing
players as you would want to be treated.
·
Wish opponents good
luck before the game and congratulate them in a courteous manner
following victory or defeat.
·
Respect the judgment
of the official(s). Treat them with respect even if you disagree
with their judgment. This will only make a positive impression of
you and your team.
·
Control your temper.
Not only against the opposing team and officials, but with
yourself and your teammates.
·
Do not use foul or
inappropriate language at anytime.
Parents and Spectators:
·
Always encourage
children to play by the rules.
·
Applaud good plays by
either team.
·
Watch and enjoy the GAME!
Let the players play, the coaches coach and the officials
officiate.
·
NEVER ridicule or
shout at your child or others for making a mistake or losing the
game.
·
Refrain from
questioning the official’s judgment or honesty. Recognize that
they are symbols of fair play, integrity and sportsmanship.
·
Use NO foul or
inappropriate language.
Unacceptable Behaviors
·
Taunting and trash
talking.
·
“In your face”
celebrations.
·
Fighting or violence
of any kind.
·
Use of profanity or
other disrespectable language.
·
Questioning,
disagreeing or harassing officials.
·
Throwing objects onto
the playing field.
·
“Booing” an
official’s decision.
·
Refusing to shake
hands or give recognition for good performance.
·
Blaming loss of game
on officials, coaches or participants.
Acceptable Behaviors
·
Congratulating
teammates and opponents for effort and excellent performances.
·
Shaking hands before
and after the game.
·
Thanking officials
for their effort and work.
·
Thanking coaches for
their time and help.
·
Treat competition as
a “GAME” instead of
a “WAR”.
·
Applaud at the end of
the game for performances of all participants.
·
Show concern for an
injured player regardless of which team they are on.
·
Helping a teammate or
opponent who has fallen or been injured.
Failure to Comply
Middle Country
Children’s Soccer, by this document, will be enforcing a
“ZERO
TOLERANCE/NO DISSENT & SPORTSMANSHIP POLICY”.
The
following is intended to outline the penalties for failing to
comply with the premise of this policy;
Dissent
- includes but is not
limited to;
·
Questioning an
officials call
·
Voicing displeasure
with a call in a manner that can be heard by the official, players
or fans
·
Disrespect of any
kind shown to an official
Sportsmanship
- includes:
·
Any and all actions
behavior and language deemed to be appropriate by Middle Country
Children’s Soccer and in accordance with the rules of fair play
and the spirit of the game.
The
coach of each team is responsible for his players and
parents/spectators behaviors on his respective sideline.
Therefore
any card given for dissent to a player or parent/spectator will
also be directed at the coach. If a red card is given, the coach
and the offending person will be required to LEAVE THE FIELD
IMMEDIATELY. If the team does not have an approved assistant coach
on its sideline the game will be forfeited.
A
red card does not have to be issued for MCCS to enact penalties
against a coach, parent/spectator, or player if an official deems
a report to be necessary.
Penalties for
Dissent or Unsportsmanlike Conduct
1st RED card= 1
game suspension
2nd RED card = 2
game suspension
The
executive board will review all incidents of dissent or
unsportsmanlike conduct by holding a card meeting. There will be
MANDATORY attendance requirement of the official*, coach and any involved parties at this meeting.
All attempts to accommodate schedule conflicts will be
instituted.
It
will be the goal of the executive board, based upon the facts
presented, to determine if the offending party(s) may continue to
coach, play or attend that team’s future games.
If
the card is given at the end of the season, the penalties will be
enforced at the next season’s scheduled games.
Failure
to attend will result in automatic expulsion from MCCS.
*If
the official is unable to attend, a
written report MUST be furnished to the executive board PRIOR to
the meeting date. This ONLY applies to the game official
Middle Country
Children’s Soccer Zero Tolerance Policy
Middle
Country Children’s Soccer requires all participants including
coaches, players, parents, spectators and officials; behave toward
others with courtesy and respect. We have adopted a zero tolerance
policy in regard to the following:
·
Verbal or Physical
abuse of an opponent by a coach, player, or spectator
·
Verbal or Physical
abuse of a player by the player’s own coach
·
Verbal or Physical
abuse of referee by a
coach, player, or spectator
·
Comment of any kind
that can be construed as abusive, threatening, racist or
unsportsmanlike
·
Physical
violence-fighting, spitting, attempting to strike
ANY
player, coach, parent, spectator or referee violating this policy
will be subject to disciplinary action as determined by MCCS,
including:
·
Probationary period
·
Suspension
·
PERMANENT expulsion of
the individual from the club.
Decisions
of the Executive Board are final and NO protests will be
entertained.
ALL
Parents and Coaches are required to fill out a Code of Conduct and
adhere to it every season.
We
expect and appreciate your full cooperation with this policy.
Thank
you,
The
Executive Board of Middle Country Children’s Soccer
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