Neptune Soccer Association

Player and Parent Code of Conduct

Youth sports programs play an important role in promoting the physical, social, and emotional development of children. It is therefore essential for parents, coaches, and officials to encourage participants to embrace the values of good sportsmanship. Moreover, adults involved in youth sports events should be models of good sportsmanship and should lead by example by demonstrating fairness, respect, and self control. This contract will be kept on permanent record with the respective sports league and a copy shown to the Recreation Department.

By virtue of participation as a player or parent for a Neptune Soccer Travel or Recreation, I pledge to be responsible for my words and actions while attending, coaching, officiating or participating in a youth sports event and shall conform my behavior to the following Code of Conduct:

  1. I will not force my child to participate in sports.
  2. I will remember that children participate to have fun and that the game is for youth, not adults.
  3. I will inform the coach of any physical disability or ailment that may affect the safety of my child or the safety of others.
  4. I will learn the rules of the game and the policies of the league.
  5. I (and my guests) will be a positive role model for my child and encourage sportsmanship by showing respect and courtesy, and by demonstrating positive support for all players, coaches, officials, and spectators at every game, practice or other sporting event.
  6. I (and my guests) will not engage in any kind of unsportsmanlike conduct with any official, coach, player or parent such as booing and taunting, refusing to shake hands or using profane language or gestures.
  7. I (and my guests) will not encourage any behaviors or practices that would endanger the health, safety, and well being of my child or other participants.
  8. I will teach my child to play by the rules and to resolve conflicts without resorting to hostility or violence.
  9. I will teach my child to treat other players, coaches, officials, and spectators with respect regardless of race, creed, color, gender, sexual orientation, national origin or ability.
  10. I will teach my child that doing one’s best is more important than winning, so that my child will never feel defeated by the outcome of the game or his/her performance.
  11. I will praise my child for competing fairly and trying hard, and make my child feel like a winner every time.
  12. I will never ridicule or yell at my child or other participant for making a mistake or losing a competition.
  13. I will emphasize skill development and practices and how they benefit my child over winning. I will also de-emphasize competition in lower age groups.
  14. I (and my guests) will reframe from making threats, and initiating a fight or scuffle with any coach, parent, player, participant or any other attendee.
  15. I (and my guests) will respect the officials and coaches and their authority during games. I will never question, discuss or confront officials or coaches at the game / field.  I will take time to speak with coaches at an agreed upon time and place.
  16. I (and my guests) understand that the use of alcohol, tobacco, and drugs are prohibited at all youth sports events. I will not attend, coach, officiate or participate in a youth sports event while under the influence of drugs or alcohol.
  17. I will refrain from coaching my child or other players during games and practices, unless I am one of the official coaches of the team.

Penalties

If I fail to follow the Sport Code of Ethics I understand that I may be subject to one or more of the following penalties:

  • Immediate removal from game location.
  • Prohibition from attending child’s games for an established number of games.
  • Suspension from attending child’s games for the remainder of the season.
  • Suspension of child and/or parent from one or more games for the remainder of the season.

In the event of a full or partial season suspension, I understand that registration fees and expenses incurred by me will not be returned by or from the Neptune Soccer Association.