ERC Code of Conduct:
Players
- Follow and play by the rules.
- Never argue with a sports official. If you disagree, have your captain, coach or manager positively
- approach the official.
- Control your temper at all times. Verbal abuse of officials and verbalizing other players, deliberately
- distracting or provoking an opponent are not acceptable behaviors in any sport.
- Work hard for yourself and your team.
- Be a good sport. Applaud all skillful plays whether they are made by your team or the competitors.
- Treat all participants in your sport as you like to be treated.
- Cooperate with your coach, team-mates and opponents.
- Participate for your own enjoyment and benefit, not just to please parents, coaches and teachers.
- Respect the rights of all participants regardless of their gender, ability, cultural background or religion.
Parents
- Always remember that kids participate in sport for their enjoyment, not yours.
- Encourage kids to participate, do not force them.
- Be positive on the child's efforts and performance rather than winning or losing.
- Always encourage kids to play according to the rules following the code of conduct.
- Never make negative comments to a child for making a mistake or losing a competition.
- Remember that kids learn best by watching great role models.
- Reinforce the stance on removing verbal and physical abuse from youth sports games.
- Always respect the official’s decisions and teach kids to do likewise.
- Always show appreciation for volunteer sports coaches, officials and administrators.
- Respect the rights of all participants regardless of their gender, ability, cultural background or religion.
Coaches
- Always remember that kids participate for pleasure, enjoyment and winning is only part of the fun.
- Never use negative ridicule or yell at children for making a mistake or not winning.
- Be considerate and reasonable in your demands on kids time, energy and enthusiasm. Kids sports is only one part of their busy lives.
- Always operate within the code of conduct, rules and fair spirit of your sport and instruct the kids to do the same.
- Always ensure that the time kids spend with you as coach is a positive experience. All kids are deserving of equal attention and opportunities.
- Try to avoid overplaying the talented more skillful kids.
- Ensure that sporting 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 within the sport. This includes opponents, coaches, officials, administrators, the media, parents and other spectators. Encourage players to do the same, be a great role model.
- Always show concern toward sick and injured players. Follow the advice of a trained medical trainer when determining whether an injured child is ready to recommence training and competition.
- Where appropriate obtain qualifications and keep up to date with the latest coaching practices and the latest principles of growth and development of children.
- Any physical contact with a child should be appropriate to the situation and necessary for the player's skill development or medical care.
- Respect the rights of all participants regardless of their gender, ability, cultural background or religion.
Youth Sports Code of Conduct (PDF)
