Fair Play Code

 

Saint Joseph’s School students and their families are required to behave in a manner that is consistent with the school behavioural expectations when representing the school at sports.  The fair play code has been established to reflect these expectations.  This code is printed in the homelink book.

Student Fair Play Code of Conduct

 Representing your school in any sport is an honour and a responsibility. 

 To the best of my ability I will ….

  •  Play by the rules and spirit of the game.
  • Never argue with the coach, referee or officials.
  • Not use foul or abusive language or gestures.
  • Work hard to do my best at all times.
  • Commit to the team – try and attend all practices/games.
  • Be courteous; let my coach know if I am unable to attend practice or a game.
  • Be on time and be prepared for all practices and games.
  • Be a good sport and accept success with dignity and be gracious in defeat.
  • Treat my coach, teammates, game officials and opposition with courtesy and respect.
  • Support and encourage my team mates.
  • Use all equipment and facilities responsibly.

 If I do not follow this Fair Play code then I accept I may not be allowed to participate in a practice or game.  Continual disregard for this Code may result in being excluded from the team.

Parents/Caregivers Fair Play Code of Conduct

As a parent/caregiver, it is your responsibility to be a positive role model by setting the right tone and helping make your child’s sporting pursuits a success. 

  • Focus on the positives – be your child’s and his/her team mates best fan and support them unconditionally.
  • Help our children to focus on the performance and not the result. Remember – winning is not as important as the performance.
  • Do not criticise your child’s coach or officials to your child or other adults. Any concerns should be first discussed with the coach.  Unresolved issues can be taken to the Saints Sports Club Committee.
  • Do not criticise the coach, referee, opponents, supporters or officials.
  • Respect the officials’ decisions and teach children to do likewise.
  • Never audibly dispute a referee’s decision. Abuse or shouting at the referee reflects badly on your child’s team and the school, as well as infringes on the rules of the game. In extreme circumstances teams can be expelled from the League, be forced to play all their games away or play without any spectators present.
  • Develop a responsibility in your child to pack her/his own sports kit, clean sports equipment and take a drinks bottle to practice and games.
  • Encourage your child to speak with the coach. If your child is having difficulties in training or games, or can’t attend training etc. encourage her/him to speak directly to the coaches. This “responsibility taking” is a big part of becoming a mature person. By handling off the field tasks, your child is claiming ownership of all aspects of the game.
  • Parents/carers must not coach from the touchline during matches or training. Leave this to the manager/coach or you may cause confusion and erode your child’s confidence.
  • Parents/carers must not enter the field of play.
  • Remember that the coaches are volunteers and not baby-sitters.  Parents/caregivers should be at practices/games unless they have arranged for the child to be under the care of another parent/caregiver who is present.
  • Understand there may be repercussions if you breach, or are aware of any breaches of, this code of behaviour.

 

Code of conduct for coaches and officials

A coach’s primary responsibility is to make sure that his/her players have fun, develop their skills and to instil in them a passion for the sport.   The performance of coaches is not measured in wins and losses, but rather in what players learn in terms of technique, sportsmanship, and fair play.

Coaches are charged with the responsibility of controlling their players and parents at all times during a game.

Coaches lead and teach by example; our players will be a reflection upon the manager, coach and St Joseph’s School.

Coaches will:

  • Use positive reinforcement when dealing with players.
  • Never use foul or abusive language and never abuse a player mentally, verbally, or physically.
  • Have respect for the authority of the referee, our opponents on match days and the officials of their team.
  • Teach the children the rules of the game, fair play, and proper behaviour.
  • Be fair and impartial as a coach and a referee.
  • Value the individual – develop the children’s techniques and their decision-making ability.
  • Inspect the paying area for hazards and generally make practice sessions and matches as safe as possible.
  • Not allow a child to take part if he/she is injured.
  • Be courteous, respectful and open to discussion and interaction.

 

COMPLAINTS PROCEDURE

  1. Any concerns should first be discussed with the coach.  Please respect these may be of a sensitive nature and therefore not appropriate for children or other adults to witness.
  2. If the issue cannot be resolved with the coach, please raise your concerns with the committee of that sport (if applicable).
  3. In the event that the concern is still not addressed to the satisfaction of the complainant then it can be put in writing and lodged with the Saints Sports Committee for consideration.   

Please note that issues of a serious nature that may result in physical or emotional harm should immediately be taken to the Principal.

 


 

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