West Carleton Soccer Club
Code of Conduct
This Code of Conduct establishes a clear
set of guidelines for the coach, player and parents/guardians. Its primary goal
is to help ensure that soccer is a fun, positive and enjoyable experience. Our
Code of Conduct is based on the concept of fair play, defined by four basic
principles:
- Respect for the rules
- Respect for the referees and their decisions
- Respect for all participants, including
teammates, coaches and opponents
- Maintaining self -control at all times
It is a condition of continuing Club
membership that all participants understand and follow this Code of Conduct
when participating in any Club activity. Please keep this Code of Conduct as a
reference.
Player Code of Conduct
- I will play soccer because I want to, not
because others want me to.
- I will play by the rules of soccer, and in the
spirit of the game.
- I will control my temper. I will not fight,
"mouth off" or use bad language.
- I will respect my opponents.
- I will be a team player.
- I will remember that winning isn't everything
that having fun, playing fair, improving my skills, making friends and
doing my best are the most important.
- I will acknowledge all good play those of my
teammates and of my opponents.
- I will accept the decisions of coaches and
referees and show them respect.
- See Social Media Guidelines below
Games and Practices
- I agree that practices and games are equally
important.
- I will arrive at the field before practices
and games according to the standards set by my coach.
- If I cannot make a game or practice, I will
notify the coach at least 24 hours in advance so that arrangements for
substitutes can be made.
- I realize that players who attend practices
may get priority for game starting lineups, which will be based on factors
including attendance at practices, player's position, effort, and
attitude.
My Uniform
- I understand that the uniform is the property
of the Soccer Club. I will take good care of it and wear it only on game
days.
- When wearing the uniform, I will remember that
I am representing the WCSC.
- I will return the uniform, clean, if requested
by my team, at the end of the season. (Do not return socks.)
- At practices I will wear appropriate attire,
such as a comfortable shirt and shorts.
- I will wear shin guards covered by socks and
appropriate footwear at all games and practices.
Discipline
- At all times I will show respect for coaches,
referees, teammates, and opposing players.
- Infractions that occur during the game are
governed by the Laws of the Game and will be decided by the Referee. The
result may be a Caution (yellow card) or Dismissal (red card), in which
case there may also be further action by the league Discipline Committee.
- Outside of the game no player shall insult nor
verbally abuse an official, this includes but is not limited to at school,
in public places, via phone, text messages or via Social Media – See
Social Media Guidelines at end of page – this will be treat in a similar
manner as if it happened at during the game.
- Certain serious infractions (e.g. Referee Assault)
will result in a Discipline Hearing convened by the Ontario Soccer
Association or their delegate, and could lead to a worldwide suspension
from soccer, and a fine being levied by the OSA. Payment of the fine is my
responsibility. At his or her discretion, the teams coach will handle
infractions that occur at times other than during a game.
Coach Code of Conduct
- I will remember that players play to have fun
and must be encouraged to have confidence in themselves.
- I will remember that participants need a coach
they can respect. I will be generous with praise and set a good example.
- I will ensure that all my players receive
equal instruction and support.
- I will adhere to the Club Coaching Guidelines.
(For more information see WCSC website)
- I will teach my players to play fairly and to
respect the rules, referees and our opponents.
- At all times I will respect parents, players
and game officials.
- I will work in cooperation with referees for
the benefit of the game.
- I will ensure feedback regarding the performance
of a referee is address by the team coach with the Head Referee only.
- I will be selective in the amount of
instructions I give players during the game. I will let the players play.
- I will make sure that equipment/facilities are
safe and match the players' ages and abilities.
- I will be reasonable when re-scheduling games
and practices, remembering that the players and their families have other
obligations.
- I will be on time and prepared for games and
practices.
- I will obtain proper training and upgrade my
coaching skills and knowledge of the game, according to the standards of
the Ontario Soccer Association and/or the Club.
- I will inform parents/guardians of any
injuries their son/daughter may have suffered.
- I will dress appropriately at all games and
practices, so that I present a professional image and can be easily
identified.
- I will ensure that my team, their parents and
fans, understand that the team may be penalized for their inappropriate
behaviour.
- I will understand and follow the Zero Tolerance
Policy listed further down on page
- I will adhere to the Social Media Guidelines
at the end of the page
Parent Code of Conduct
- I will remember that my child plays soccer for
his or her benefit, not for mine.
- I will not give instructions to players - that
is the coach's role.
- I will teach my child that doing one's best is
as important as winning, so that my child will never feel defeated by the
outcome of a game.
- I will make my child feel like a winner by
offering praise for competing fairly and doing their best.
- I will encourage my child to play by the rules
and to resolve conflicts without resorting to hostility or violence.
- At all times I will support all players on the
team.
- I will remember that children learn best by
example. I will applaud good plays by both my child's team and their
opponents.
- I will never question the referee’s judgment
or honesty. I understand feedback,
both positive and constructive, regarding the performance of a referee is
to be sent by the team coach to the Head Referee.
- I will support all efforts to eliminate verbal
and physical abuse from the game of soccer.
- I will respect and show appreciation for the
volunteer coaches, who give their time for the benefit of my child.
- I will make sure that my son/daughter arrives
for scheduled practices and games at the time designated by the coach.
- I realize that the team can be penalized for
my behaviour. If required, I must obey a request by a referee or from the
team’s coach to leave the vicinity of the field.
- I am responsible for my child at all times
during participation in WCSC events.
- I will encourage my child to sit with his/her
team during games. I will observe games from the opposite side of the
field from the players’ benches, unless requested to do otherwise by the
referee or coach.
- I will understand and follow the Zero
Tolerance Policy listed further down on page.
- I will adhere to the Social Media Guidelines
at the end of the page.
Resolving Problems
If you are upset, we recommend you wait 24 hours and then determine if you wish
to further pursue an issue. If so, talk to your coach privately. If you are
unable to obtain satisfaction, please contact our Head Coach.
Zero Tolerance Policy -
Officials
West Carleton Soccer Club is a strong supporter of making sport safe for our youth. West Carleton
Soccer Club supports the following program to help ensure the safety and
enjoyment of soccer for all.
Policy
Any coach, parent, grandparent or guardian judged by the Discipline
Board to be guilty of abusive conduct toward a referee during a Club’s House
League game will be reprimanded in writing and subject to policies and
procedures as outlined in the OSA Discipline Guidelines. A second conviction,
during the same season will result in the member being restricted from all
services rendered by the Club including attendance at all soccer activities
within the Club. In extreme cases, as determined by the Discipline Board, a
member may be reinstated subject to a review hearing.
Policy Procedures
When a referee feels that they are being abused, as per the scope of
this policy, by either a coach or supporter, the referee is allowed to suspend
the playing of the game. If the abuse is physical, the game official is advised
to inform the coaches that the game has been abandoned and then proceed with
step 1.
The Referee will then verbally advise both coaches that the game has
been stopped due to the abuse and inform both coaches as to the source of the
abuse. If the source is one of the
coaches, the referee will advise the coach that the next occurrence of a
similar nature will result in an abandonment of the game and that a report to
the Club’s Discipline Board will be sent in for review. If the source is a supporter, the appropriate
coach will provide the referee with the name of the supporter and the coach
must advise the fan that the next occurrence of a similar nature will result in
abandonment of the game. A report to the Club’s Discipline Board will be sent
in for review. If the supporter is not
associated with either team, both coaches are asked to speak to the supporter
and ask the individual to leave.
Once the prescribed action has been completed, the game will restart
with a dropped ball between the two teams at the location where the play was
stopped. If the abuse continues, the referee will be allowed to stop any
further playing of the game and advise the coaches that the game has been
abandoned and that a Special Incident Report will be forwarded to the Club’s
Discipline Board. The official must clearly indicate on the game sheet that the
game was abandoned due to abuse and if abandoned:
1. The game official must contact either their Referee Coordinator or a
member of the Executive to verbally report the incident within 24 hours.
2. A Special Incident Report, with the assistance of the Referee
Coordinator or a member of the Executive, if required, must then be forwarded
to the Club within 72 hours.
3. The Club’s Discipline Board will then review and deal with the report as
per their guidelines.
4. If the game was abandoned due to the conduct of a fan not associated
with either team, the Executive will determine the status of the game.
Note.
In the case where the
alleged abuse is of a physical nature the referee should contact the local
police service and file a complaint.
Social Media Guidelines
This
policy governs the publication of and commentary on social media by players,
coaches, referees, and Members of the West Carleton Soccer Club. For the
purposes of this policy, social media means any facility for online publication
and commentary, including without limitation blogs, wiki's, social networking
sites such as Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter, Flickr, and YouTube. This policy is
in addition to and complements any existing or future policies regarding the
use of technology, computers, e-mail and the internet.
West Carleton Soccer Club
acknowledges that Cyber bullying is becoming a significant threat to the safety
and wellbeing of a whole generation of young people in our sporting community
and beyond.
Cyber bullying involves
harassment, insults and humiliation via technology such as email, mobile
phones, social networking sites, instant messaging programs, chat rooms and
websites.
The use of social media to
taunt, threaten, or bully any player, coach, official, or spectator is strictly
prohibited. Violation of these Social Media Guidelines, Code of Conduct of
House League Bylaws or the OSA Harassment Policy will be subject to
disciplinary action as determined by WCSC’s Executive Board Disciplinary Committee
and these actions will have the same consequences as if they happened on the
field of play.
The following are examples of
conduct through social media and networking mediums that are considered
violations of the WCSC’s policies and may be subject to disciplinary action.
This is not an exhaustive list:
·
Any statement deemed to be
publicly critical of WCSC officials or detrimental to the welfare of a member
team, the club or an individual.
·
Negative or derogatory comments
about any of the match officials
·
Any form of bullying,
harassment or threats against players or officials.
·
Photographs, videos or comments
promoting negative influences or criminal behavior, including but not limited
to: drug use, alcohol abuse, public intoxication, hazing, sexual exploitation,
etc.
·
Online activity that
contradicts the current policies of the SHA or any of its member Associations.
·
Inappropriate, derogatory,
racist, or sexist comments of any kind
·
Online activity that is meant
to alarm other individuals or to misrepresent fact or truth.
Discipline
The WCSC Executive Board Discipline Committee will investigate reported
violation(s) of this policy as per OS Discipline Report procedures. If the
investigation determines that a violation has occurred, discipline will be
administered according to OSA Discipline Guidelines.
Policy Procedures
If you as an official, a player, a coach or a WCSC Member feel you are
being abused, harassed or bullied via Social Media. Please submit a formal report to the
discipline committee using the following email address: discipline@wcsc.ca
This report should proceed as soon as you think there is an issue. Do not wait hoping it will stop.
Your report should contain details of what the complaint is, when the
issue happened and the name of the person the complaint is about. Please include as much detail as possible
including screen captures that highlight the reason for the complaint.
When a complaint about abuse through Social Media or Cyber Bullying is
received you will receive an acknowledgement of your complaint in 24-48
hours. At which time you will be
informed of the next steps and asked for any additional information that may be
required.
Revised: Feb 2018