Code of conduct
A guide to the values of the sport to help child, parent and club member take maximum enjoyment from playing and participating in the game everywhere.
Codes of conduct
Wednesday, February 28, 2007
Insidesoccer codes of conduct guide aims to provide clear information to create a healthy and safe framework in which children, players, coaches and parents can enjoy their soccer in complete piece of mind and to the full. One of the most important aspects of soccer for parents helping their children follow their interest in our sport is to appreciate that it is a game. A game to be played fairly. Our Codes of conduct can reassure parents that when their children are in a coaching environment they can expect a level of teaching and training which is safe, that shows respect for the values of the game and to everyone taking part. Above all, it is fun to play.
To quote a sentiment from FIFA; ‘ Football occupies a huge part of children's imagination, helping them to dream of a better life. And the cores values of our sport, (respect, tolerance and fair-play) should be encouraged at every turn - for football is education for life.'
These words are central to all those who participate in our sport, at all ages; non more so then when introducing the game to young players at a grassroots level.
A good start is to acquaint yourself with FIFA's ten golden rules of conduct. (see web address below for full text) It is a clear set of sporting and ethical principles, which encapsulates a global ethos about how the game should be played and in what spirit, and the behaviour of those in involved in the sport.
Those ten rules are headed with:
- Play to win
- Play fair
- Observe the laws of the game
- Respect Opponents, team mates, referees, officials and spectators
- Accept defeat with dignity
- Promote the interests of football
- Reject corruption, drugs, racism, violence and other dangers to our sport football's huge popularity sometimes makes it vulnerable to negative outside interests
- Help others to resist corrupting pressures
- Denounce those who attempt to discredit our sport
- Honour those who defend football's good reputation
For Parents and coaches the sports Codes of Conduct have four main areas of focus.
These are:
A Code of Conduct for the Coaches.
Coaches are the key people who provide the essential grounding in the ethics and moral aspects of the game to those under their supervision. They are responsible for the safety of the players and are charged with respecting the rights and dignity of every child.
A Code of Conduct for the Players.
The most important people in the sport are the players. Playing for and helping the team to win is a player's most important role. Along side that responsibility is one of fair play and respecting your opponents and the rules of the game.
A Code of Conduct for the Parents/Spectators.
Parents and spectators have an important role to play in contributing to a child's enjoyment of the game and indeed other's. They re-enforce the child's love of the game and it's sense of fun through positive encouragement that leads to a child's growing confidence and sense of achievement.
A Code of Conduct for the Team Officials.
Towards the game they should set a positive example to the players and supporters whilst promoting the best interests of their own team within the spirit of the game.
Towards the team they should help to develop the technical and sporting levels of the club whilst showing due respect for the interest of the players/coaches and officials at their club and others.
For more detailed information and a complete description of the Codes of Conduct from the UK and the United States please the following sites, or go to your National Football Federation website.
www.thefa.com/parents (Codes of Conduct UK)
www.fifa.com/en/fairplay/fairplay/0,1256,12,00.html (Fair play rules)
http://soccer.org/ (American Youth Soccer Organisation)
www.mayouthsoccer.org/pages/10_coaching.cfm (Mass Youth Soccer Association)