C.W.Y.S.C. - SPORT PARENT CODE OF CONDUCT

Last updated 11/18/2011

Children's sports are supposed to be fun - for the children. Unfortunately, many parents, fans and coaches don't realize that their actions, whether verbal or nonverbal, can have a lasting emotional effect on children. Too many children are leaving sports activities because the fun is unfairly taken away by adults.

That is why the National Youth Sports Safety Foundation (NYSSF), a non-profit educational organization dedicated to promoting the healthy development of youth in sports, in conjunction with the Massachusetts Governors Committee on Physical Fitness and Sports, convened a consensus meeting with representatives from more than thirty sports, medical, educational and professional organizations to create the following Code of Conduct for parents and spectators to abide by at every game. The Code of Conduct can also be found at www.nyssf.org.

Parents, fans and coaches who follow this simple code can help reinforce what sports are all about... BEING FUN FOR EVERYONE.

Preamble

The essential elements of character-building and ethics in sports are embodied in the concept of sportsmanship and six core principles: trustworthiness, respect, responsibility, fairness, caring, and good citizenship. The highest potential of sports is achieved when competition reflects these "six pillars of character." 1

I therefore agree:

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 will not encourage any behaviors or practices that would endanger the health and wellbeing of the athletes.
8. I will teach my child to play by the rules and to resolve conflicts without resorting to hostility or violence.
9. I will demand that my child treat other players, coaches, officials and spectators with respect regardless of race, creed, color, sex 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 a 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 deemphasize games and competition in the lower age groups.
14. I will promote the emotional and physical well-being of the athletes ahead of any personal desire I may have for my child to win.
15. I will respect the officials and their authority during games and will never question, discuss, or confront coaches at the game field, and will take time to speak with coaches at an agreed upon time and place.
16. I will demand a sports environment for my child that is free from drugs, tobacco, and alcohol and I will refrain from their use at all sports events.
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.

I also agree that if I fail to abide by the aforementioned rules and guidelines, I will be subject to disciplinary action that could include, but is not limited to the following:

• Verbal warning by official, head coach, and/or head of league organization
• Written warning
• Parental game suspension with written documentation of incident kept on file by organizations involved
• Game forfeit through the official or coach
• Parental season suspension

References

1. The Sport Parent Code of Conduct has been compiled from the following national organizations and local youth sports league Parent Codes of Conduct:
2. Arizona Sports Summit Accord
3. Character Counts
4. Heartland Soccer Club
5. Kidsports
6. Mt. Laurel Soccer Club
7. Positive Coaching Alliance
8. National Alliance for Youth Sports
9. National High School Athletic Coaches Association
10. Pop Warner
11. Rosemont Area Athletic Association
12. USA Hockey
13. Conrad Weiser Youth Soccer Club

Additional recommended resources for conduct and sportsmanship for coaches and athletes include: Arizona Sport

Summit Accord, United States Olympic Committee (USOC) Coaches Code of Ethics, and the Character Counts Coalition.