Codes of Conduct
Rationale
Australians are justifiably proud of the place sport has in their daily lives. But what is equally important is the way the game is played and the manner in which sportsmen and sportswomen conduct themselves. Unfortunately, some people fail to live up to the traditional values of sport. Worse still, young people can be influenced and the rest of their sporting lives are coloured by these experiences. These Codes of Behaviour identify a series of key principles on which young players, parents, coaches, teachers, administrators, officials, the media and spectators should base their sporting involvement.
These codes have been adopted from publications produced by the Australian Sports Commission with the aim to develop a national wide approach to sporting codes which will help ensure that young people develop good sporting behaviour and have an enjoyable experience of sport, in the hope that it will encourage them to remain involved throughout their lives. Additional to these Codes of Conduct is the NCAS Athlete Agreement which outlines the more specific obligations of athletes within NCAS sport programs. NCAS has also developed its own athlete, parent and staff oath.
Player’s Code of Conduct
• Play by the rules.
• Never argue with an official.
• If you disagree, have your captain, coach or manager approach the official during a break or after the competition.
• Control your temper.
• Verbal abuse of officials and sledging other players, deliberately distracting or provoking an opponent are not acceptable or permitted behaviours in any sport.
• Work equally hard for yourself and/or your team.
• Your team’s performance will benefit, so will you.
• Be a good sport.
• Applaud all good plays whether they are made by your team or the opposition.
• Treat all participants in your sport as you like to be treated.
• Do not bully or take unfair advantage of another competitor.
• Cooperate with your coach, team-mates and opponents.
• Without them there would be no competition.
• Participate for your own enjoyment and benefit, not just to please parents and coaches.
• Respects the rights, dignity and worth of all participants regardless of their gender, ability, cultural background or religion.
Parent’s Code of Conduct
• Remember that children participate in sport for their enjoyment.
• Encourage children to participate, do not force them.
• Focus on the child’s efforts and performance rather than winning or losing.
• Encourage children always to play according to the rules and settle disagreements without resorting to hostility or violence.
• Never ridicule or yell at a child for making a mistake or losing a competition.
• Remember that children learn by best example.
• Appreciate good performances and skilful plays by all participants.
• Support all efforts to remove verbal and physical abuse from sporting activities.
• Respect officials’ decisions and teach children to do likewise.
• Show appreciation for volunteer coaches, officials and administrators.
• Without them, your child could not participate.
• Respect the rights, dignity and worth of every young person regardless of their gender, ability, cultural background or religion.
Spectator’s Code of Conduct
• Remember that young people participate in sport for their enjoyment and benefit, not yours.
• Applaud good performance and efforts from all individuals and teams.
• Congratulate all participants on their performance regardless of the game’s outcome.
• Respect the decisions of officials and teach young people to do the same.
• Never ridicule or scold a young player for making a mistake.
• Positive comments are motivational.
• Condemn the use of violence in any form, whether it is by spectators, coaches, officials or players.
• Show respect for your team’s opponents.
• Without them there would be no game.
• Encourage players to follow the rules and the officials’ decisions.
• Do not use foul language, sledge or harass players, coaches or officials.
• Respect the rights, dignity and worth of every young person regardless of their gender, ability, cultural background or religion.
Coach’s Code of Conduct
• Remember that young people participate for pleasure and winning is only part of the fun.
• Never ridicule or yell at a young player for making a mistake or not coming first.
• Be reasonable in your demands on players’ time, energy and enthusiasm.
• Operate within the rules and spirit of your sport and teach your players to do the same.
• Ensure that the time players spend with you is a positive experience.
• All young people are deserving of equal attention and opportunities.
• Avoid overplaying the talented players.
• The ‘just average’ players needs and deserves equal time.
• Ensure that equipment and facilities meet safety standards and are appropriate to the age and ability of all players.
• Display control, respect and professionalism to all involved with the sport.
• This includes opponents, coaches, officials, administrators, the media, parents and spectators.
• Encourage players to do the same.
• Show concern and caution toward sick and injured players.
• Follow the advice of physician when determining whether an injured player is ready to recommence training or competition.
• Obtain appropriate qualification and keep up to date with the latest coaching practices and the principles of growth and development of young people.
• Any physical contact with a young person should be appropriate to the situation and necessary for the player’s skill development.
• Respect the rights, dignity and worth of every young person regardless of their gender, ability, cultural background or religion.
Administrator’s Code of Conduct
• Involve young people in planning, leadership, evaluation and decision making related to the activity.
• Give all young people equal opportunities to participate.
• Create pathways for young people to participate in sport not just as a player but also as a coach, referee, administrator etc.
• Ensure that rules, equipment, length of games and training schedules are modified to suit the age, ability and maturity level of young players.
• Provide quality supervision and instruction for junior players.
• Remember that young people participate for their enjoyment and benefit.
• Do not over emphasise awards.
• Help coaches and officials highlight appropriate behaviour and skill development, and help improve the standards of coaching and officiating.
• Ensure that everyone involved in junior sport emphasises fair play, and not winning at all
costs.
• Give a code of behaviour sheet to spectators, officials, parents, coaches, players and the media, and encourage them to follow it.
• Remember, you set an example.
• Your behaviour and comments should be positive and supportive.
• Support implementation of the National Junior Sport Policy.
• Make it clear that abusing young people in any way is unacceptable and will result in disciplinary action.
• Respect the rights, dignity and worth of every young person regardless of their gender, ability, cultural background or religion.
Media’s Code of Conduct
• Provide coverage of young people’s competitive and non-competitive sport as well as reporting adult sport.
• Be aware of the differences between adult sport, professional sport and modified sports programs for young people.
• Don’t highlight isolated incidents of inappropriate sporting behaviour.
• Focus upon a young player’s fair play and honest effort.
• Do not place unfair expectations on young people.
• They are not miniature professionals.
• Describe and report on the problems of young people participating in organised sport.
• Focus on the abilities and the disabilities of young people.
• Avoid reinforcing stereotypical views on the involvement of boys/girls in particular sports.
• Give equal time and space to reporting boys and girls sports.
• Familiarise yourself with the National Junior Sport Policy.
• Respect the rights, dignity and worth of every young person regardless of their gender, ability, cultural background or religion.
Breach
1. Breaches shall be referred to the QEBF Executive Committee.
