CODES OF CONDUCT
Code of Conduct for Coaches
Coaches are the key to the establishment of ethics in football. Their concept of ethics and their attitude directly affects the behaviour of players under their supervision. Coaches are, therefore, expected to pay particular care to the moral aspect of their conduct.
Coaches have to be aware that almost all of their everyday decisions and choices of actions, as well as strategic targets, have ethical implications.
It is natural that winning constitutes a basic concern for coaches. This code is not intended to conflict with that. However, the code calls for coaches to disassociate themselves from a win-at-all-costs attitude.
Increased responsibility is requested from coaches involved in coaching young people. The health, safety, welfare and moral education of young people are a first priority, before the achievement or the reputation of the club, coach or parent.
The FA Coaches Association Code of Conduct, which forms the benchmark for all involved in coaching, states that:
1 Coaches must respect the rights, dignity and worth of each and every person and treat each equally within the context of the sport.
2 Coaches must place the well-being and safety of each player above all other considerations, including the development of performance.
3 Coaches must adhere to all guidelines laid down by governing bodies.
4 Coaches must develop an appropriate working relationship with each player based on mutual trust and respect.
5 Coaches must not exert undue influence to obtain personal benefit or reward.
6 Coaches must encourage and guide players to accept responsibility for their own behaviour and performance.
7 Coaches must ensure that the activities they direct or advocate are appropriate for the age, maturity, experience and ability of players.
8 Coaches should, at the outset, clarify with the players (and where appropriate, parent) exactly what is expected of them and also what they are entitled to expect from their coach.
9 Coaches must cooperate fully with other specialists (e.g. other coaches, officials, doctors) in the best interests of the player.
10 Coaches must always promote the positive aspects of the sport (e.g. Fair Play) and never condone violations of the Laws of the Game, behaviour contrary to the spirit of the Laws of the Game or relevant rules and regulations.
11 Coaches must consistently display high standards of behaviour and appearance.
12 Coaches must not use or tolerate inappropriate language.
13 Coaches must always carry a First-Aid kit, and restock the kit after any usages. The First-Aid kit contents must also be regularly inspected.
14 Coaches must arrive early for sessions, to meet the participants punctually.
15 Coaches must check the safety of the coaching area and equipment prior to the session. Health and Safety must be adhered to.
16 Coaches must supervise the participant’s departure and ensure the facility / environment has been left in a good order, and all equipment has been put away.
17 Coaches must agree and adhere to the Club Constitution and all other policies.
18 Know and abide by the laws, rules and spirit of the game, and the competition rules.
Code of Conduct for Team Officials
This code applies to all team / club officials.
Obligations Towards the Game
The team official should:
1 Set a positive example for others, particularly young players and supporters.
2 Promote and develop his own team having regard to the interest of the players, supporters and reputation of the national game.
3 Share knowledge and experience when invited to do so, taking into account the interest of the body that has requested this rather than personal interests.
4 Avoid all forms of gamesmanship.
5 Show due respect to Match Officials and others involved in the game.
6 Always have regard to the best interests of the game, including where publicly expressing an opinion of the game and any particular aspect of it, including others involved in the game.
7 Not use or tolerate inappropriate language.
8 Know and abide by the laws, rules and spirit of the game, and the competition rules.
Obligations Towards the Team
The team official should:
1 Make every effort to develop the sporting, technical and tactical levels of the club / team, and to obtain the best results by the team, using all permitted means.
2 Give priority to the interests of the team over individual interests.
3 Resist all unsporting influences and techniques.
4 Promote ethical principles.
5 Show due respect to the interests of players, coaches and other officials, at their own club / team and others.
6 Ensure that the team has a qualified First-Aider / Emergency-Aider.
7 Ensure that appropriate insurance cover is in place for the team.
8 Ensure that a member of the team has attended a Child Protection workshop.
Obligations Towards the Supporters
The team official should:
Show due respect to the interests of supporters.
Respect Towards the Match Officials
The team official should:
1 Accept the decisions of the Match Official without protest.
2 Avoid words or actions which may mislead a Match Official.
3 Show due respect towards Match Officials.
The team official must agree and adhere to the Club Constitution and all other policies.
Code of Conduct for Parents / Spectators
Parents / spectators have a great influence on children’s enjoyment and success in football. All children play football because they first and foremost love the game – its fun. It is important to remember that however good a child becomes at football within the club it is important to reinforce the message to parents / spectators that positive encouragement will contribute to:
1 Children enjoying football.
2 A sense of personal achievement.
3 Self-esteem.
4 Improvement in the child’s skills and techniques.
A parent’s / spectator’s expectations and attitudes have a significant bearing on a child’s attitude towards:
1 Other players.
2 Officials.
3 Managers.
4 Spectators.
Ensure that parents / spectators within the club are always positive and encouraging towards all of the children, not just their own.
Encourage parents / spectators to:
1 Applaud the opposition as well as your own team.
2 Avoid coaching the child during the game.
3 Not to shout and scream.
4 Respect the referee’s decision.
5 Give attention to each of the children involved in football, not just the most talented.
6 Give encouragement to everyone to participate in football.
7 Notify a Team Official in the event of the child’s absence (e.g. sickness, holiday).
8 Know and abide by the Club’s rules and policies.
Ensure that parents / spectators within the club agree and adhere to the Club Constitution and all other policies.
Code of Conduct for Players
Players are the most important people in the sport. Playing for the team, and for the team to win, is the most fundamental part of the game. But not winning at any cost – Fair play and respect for all others in the game is fundamentally important.
Obligations Towards the game
A player should:
1 Make every effort to develop their own sporting ability in terms of skill, technique, tactics and stamina.
2 Give maximum effort and strive for the best possible performance during a game, even if the team is in a position where the desired result has already been achieved.
3 Set a positive example for others, particularly to younger players and supporters.
4 Avoid all forms of gamesmanship, and time-wasting.
5 Always have regard to the best interests of the game.
6 Not use inappropriate language.
Obligations Towards One’s Own Team
A player should:
1 Make every effort consistent with Fair play and the Laws of the Game to help his/her own team win.
2 Resist any influence which might, or might be seen to, bring into question his commitment to the team winning.
3 Know and abide by the Club’s rules and policies.
4 Arrive for training sessions and matches at the designated time, and uphold good time keeping.
5 Make every effort to attend all training sessions.
6 Notify a Team Official in the event of his/her absence (e.g. sickness, holiday).
7 Attend training sessions, matches and tournaments with the proper equipment (e.g. clean boots, shin pads).
Respect for the Laws of the Game and Competition Rules
A player should:
1 Know and abide by the laws, rules and spirit of the game, and the competition rules.
2 Accept success and failure, victory and defeat, equally.
Respect Towards Opponents
A player should:
1 Treat opponents with due respect at all times, irrespective of the result of the game.
2 Safeguard the physical fitness of opponents, avoid violence and rough play, and help injured opponents.
Respect Towards Match Officials
A player should:
1 Accept the decision of the Match Official without protest.
2 Avoid words or actions which may mislead a Match Official.
3 Show due respect towards the Match Official.
Respect Towards Team Officials
A player should:
1 Abide by the instructions of their coach and Team Officials, provided they do not contradict the spirit of this code.
2 Show due respect towards the Team Official of the opposition.
Obligations Towards the Supporters
A player should:
Show due respect to the interests of supporters.