MIDDLE COUNTRY CHILDREN´S SOCCER

Middle Country Children’s Soccer

Sportsmanship Policy

 

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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.

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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

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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