Policies and Procedures

• Play by the rules.
• Wear the correct uniform with pride. 
• 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, sledging other players or 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 and 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. 
• Co-operate 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 your parents and coaches. 
• Respect the rights, dignity and worth of all participants regardless of their gender, ability, cultural background, or religion.

• You are signing up for a team sport, your Childs punctual attendance at training and games is crucial for their development. 
• Remember that children participate in sport for their enjoyment, not yours. 
• Encourage children to participate, do not force them. 
• Focus on your child’s efforts and performance rather than whether they win or lose. 
• Encourage children to play according to the rules and to 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 best by example. 
• Appreciate good performance and skillful 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. 
• It is your responsibility to be available at training and games for your child, the Committee and officials are not caretakers.

• Remember that young people participate in sport for their enjoyment and benefit, not yours. 
• Applaud good performances 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.

• 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’ need and deserve 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 towards sick and injured players. 
• Follow the advice of a physician when determining whether an injured player is ready to recommence training or competition. 
• 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

• 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 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, rather than 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. 
• 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.

• As a member of SDSFA we are bound by the Policies of our association.  
• Please find their policies HERE. https://sdsfa.com/resources/