MEREWETHER UNITED FOOTBALL CLUB

CODES OF CONDUCT

CONDUCT FOR PLAYERS

Our commitment

Our Club is committed to providing a safe environment for participation. Aggressive, threatening or other inappropriate behaviour players will not be tolerated. Behaviours specifically include:

• always play by the rules
• never argue with an official
• if disagreeing with a decision, inform the captain, coach or manager during a break or after the competition
• control bad temper.
• understand that verbal abuse of officials and sledging other players and deliberately distracting or provoking an opponent are not acceptable or permitted behaviours in any sport
• work equally hard for self and/or my team
• be a good sport and applaud all good plays whether they are made by own team or the opposition
• interact with all players in the sport without bullying or taking unfair advantage of another competitor
• cooperate with coaches, team mates and opponents
• display modesty in victory and graciousness in defeat
• participate for own enjoyment and benefit, not just to please parents and coaches
• not arrive at the venue intoxicated or drink alcohol at junior matches
• respect the rights, dignity and worth of all participants regardless of their gender, ability, cultural background or religion t
• thank the opposition and officials at the end of the game
• comply with anti-doping policies

What we will do

• provide members, their parents and other sporting personnel with our Code of Conduct and make clear what is expected and the consequences of non-compliance.
• where possible, bind non-members by prominently displaying conditions of entry to grounds and facilities and by requiring parents to assist children to abide by Club rules and having parents sign our Player Code of Conduct Policy on behalf of their children)
• reinforce messages of fair and respectful behaviour by displaying signs and posters around our facilities and providing information on our website, in our newsletter and through other club communication
• encourage our coaches and officials to complete training to develop their skills and confidence
• ban bringing alcohol to training, a game or no-alcohol club event
• consult with our local police and seek their support and advice on how to handle issues involving inappropriate behaviour by players prior to, at or after a game
• encourage the reporting of incidents and investigate inappropriate behaviours as outlined in this policy and take disciplinary or whatever other actions as are deemed necessary (e.g. appoint a ground official to monitor behaviour)
• encourage our players, coaches, officials and spectators to call the police if they are concerned about escalating behaviour and their safety or the safety of others

What we ask you to do

• help create a positive atmosphere for players, officials and other spectators by showing respect for players, officials and other spectators
• abide by our club’s Codes of Conduct and encouraging and modeling appropriate behavior to young players
• if you are aware of inappropriate player behaviour speak with the MPIO or a committee member present to ask for their assistance.
• report any inappropriate player behaviour to the club president, MPIO or someone in a position of authority.
• call the police or a club official if you are concerned for your safety or the safety of others.

Players who have been found to have behaved inappropriately, and who are associate members or have agreed to abide by our club's Codes of Conduct and this policy, may face disciplinary action as outlined in our Member Protection Policy.

CODE OF CONDUCT FOR SPECTATORS

Our commitment

Our Club is committed to providing a safe environment for participation. Aggressive, threatening or other inappropriate behaviour by members, their families, their friends, and other sporting personnel while attending a game or event will not be tolerated. These behaviours are outlined in our Code of Conduct and specifically include:

• using bad language
• harassing or ridiculing players, coaches, officials or other spectators
• making racist, religious, sexist or other inappropriate comments to players, coaches, officials or other spectators
• any threatening behaviour or physical altercation between spectators and players, coaches, officials or other spectators
• putting undue pressure on children, berating them or putting down their performance
• drinking at a game or training or being drunk at a club event.

What we will do

• provide members, their parents and other sporting personnel with our Code of Conduct and make clear what is expected and the consequences of non-compliance
• where possible, bind non-members by prominently displaying conditions of entry to grounds and facilities and by requiring parents to abide by club rules (e.g. by making parents associate members, signing our Code of Conduct)
• reinforce messages of fair and respectful behaviour by displaying signs and posters around our facilities and providing information on our website, in our newsletter and through other club communication
• encourage our coaches and officials to complete training to develop their skills and confidence.
• ban bringing alcohol to training, a game or no-alcohol club event
• consult with our local police and seek their support and advice on how to handle issues involving inappropriate behaviour by spectators prior to, at or after a game
• encourage the reporting of incidents and investigate inappropriate behaviours as outlined in this policy and take disciplinary or whatever other actions as are deemed necessary (e.g. appoint a ground official to monitor behaviour)
• encourage our players, coaches, officials and spectators to call the police if they are concerned about escalating behaviour and their safety or the safety of others.

What we ask you to do

• help create a positive atmosphere for players, officials and other spectators by showing respect for players, officials and other spectators
• abide by our club’s Code of Conduct and refrain from using bad language, harassing or ridiculing others or behaving in a threatening or violent manner. If you are aware of inappropriate spectator behaviour and you feel confident to do so, speak with the person and ask them to stop. If there is a ground official or committee member present, ask for their assistance
• report any inappropriate spectator behaviour to the club president or someone in a position of authority
• call the police or a club official if you are concerned for your safety or the safety of others.

Non-Compliance

Parents or others found to have behaved inappropriately, and who are associate members or have agreed to abide by our club's Code of Conduct and this policy, may face disciplinary action as outlined in our Member Protection Policy.

CODE OF CONDUCT FOR COACHES

Our commitment

Our Club is committed to providing a safe environment for participation. Aggressive, threatening or other inappropriate behaviour by members, their families, their friends, and other sporting personnel while attending a game or event will not be tolerated. These behaviours are outlined in our Code of Conduct and specifically include:

• using bad language
• harassing or ridiculing players, coaches, officials or other spectators
• making racist, religious, sexist or other inappropriate comments to players, coaches, officials or other spectators
• any threatening behaviour or physical altercation between spectators and players, coaches, officials or other spectators
• putting undue pressure on children, berating them or putting down their performance
• drinking at a game or training or being drunk at a club event.

What we will do

• place the safety and welfare of the participants above all else
• be aware of and support the sport’s injury management plans and return to play guidelines

Coaching excellence

• help each person (athlete, official, etc) to reach their potential
• respect the talent, developmental stage and goals of each person and encourage them with positive and constructive feedback
• encourage and support opportunities for people to learn appropriate behaviours and skills
• support opportunities for participation in all aspects of the sport
• treat each participant as an individual
• obtain appropriate qualifications and keep up-to-date with the latest coaching practices and the principles of growth and development of participants
• honour the sport
• act within the rules and spirit of your sport
• promote fair play over winning at any cost
• respect the decisions of officials, coaches and administrators
• show respect and courtesy to all involved with the sport
• display responsible behaviour in relation to alcohol and other drugs

Integrity

• act with integrity and objectivity, and accept responsibility for your decisions and actions
• ensure your decisions and actions contribute to a harassment-free environment
• wherever practical, avoid unaccompanied and unobserved one-on-one activity (when in a supervisory capacity or where a power imbalance exists) with people under the age of 18
• ensure that any physical contact with another person is appropriate to the situation and necessary for the person's skill development
• be honest and do not allow your qualifications or coaching experience to be misrepresented
• never advocate or condone the use of illicit drugs or other banned performance enhancing substances or methods
• never participate in or advocate practices that involve match fixing

Respect

• respect the rights and worth of every person, regardless of their age, race, gender, ability, cultural background, sexuality or religion
• do not tolerate abusive, bullying or threatening behaviour