ST ALBANS SAINTS Codes of BEHAVIOUR

The Code of Behaviour is prepared as a uniform guide for the behaviour of ALL players, coaches, parents, supporters and officials representing the St Albans Saints SC. St Albans Saint SC has improved its image over the years but the Club’s Committee have a goal to do more in this regards. All associated with it shall at all times exhibit good, courteous and professional behaviour. Swearing or abusive behaviour will not be tolerated.

Persons breaching the Code of Behaviour will be required to attend the clubs Penalties & Disciplinary Committee (PDC) to explain their actions. Failure to abide by this Code of Conduct shall result in the likely expulsion of offending person/s from the Club.The Code of Conduct is made up of the following sub sections which may be used together or separately as appropriate.

PLAYER’S CODE

Players will at all times have good manners and be courteous to others whether at training, participating at games or representing the club in any way. Players are expected to fulfil their commitment to attend all games and training sessions held for their team and must inform their Coach or Manager if they are unable to attend or will be late.

Play by the rules. It is just as important to understand the spirit of the rules. They are designed to make the game fun to play and fun to watch. By sticking to the rules, you will enjoy the game more.

Ethical conduct. Refrain from conduct which may be regarded as discrimination or harassment of any sort towards fellow players and coaches. Respect the rights, dignity and worth of all regardless of their gender, ability or cultural background.

Play to win. Winning is the object of playing any game. Never set out to lose. If you do not play to win, you are cheating your opponents, deceiving those who are watching, and also fooling yourself. Never give up against stronger opponents but never relent against weaker ones. Work hard for yourself and your team. Your team’s performance will benefit so will you.

Play fair. Winning is without value if victory has been achieved unfairly or dishonestly. Playing fair requires courage and character and is more satisfying. Playing fair earns you respect, while cheats are detested.

Fair play means respect. Never argue with an official. If you disagree, have your captain, coach or manager approach the official during a break or after the competition. Referees are there to maintain discipline and fair play.

Control your temper. Verbal abuse of officials and sledging other players, deliberately distracting or provoking an opponent, are not acceptable or permitted behaviours in any sport.

Be honest. Feigning illness and injury limits your ability to train and compete to the best of your ability.

Be a good sport. Applaud all good plays whether they are made by your team, or the opposition.

Accept defeat with dignity. Nobody wins all the time. Learn to lose graciously. Don’t seek excuses for defeat, genuine reasons will always be self-evident. Congratulate the winners with good grace. Don’t blame the referee or anyone else. Good losers earn more respect than bad winners.

Promote the interests of football. It is the world’s greatest game. Think of football’s interests before your own. Think how your actions may affect the image of the game. Talk about the positive things in the game. Encourage other people to watch it or play it fairly. Be an ambassador for the game.

Reject the wrong path.

Treat all participants in your sport as you like to be treated. Do not bully or take unfair advantage of another competitor. Reject corruption, drugs, racism, violence and other dangers to our sport. Watch out for attempts to tempt you into cheating or using drugs. Drugs have no place in football, or in our society. Say no to drugs. Help others to resist corrupting pressures. You may hear that team-mates or other people you know are being tempted to cheat in some way. Give them the strength to resist. Remind them of their commitment to their team-mates and to the game itself. Form a block of solidarity, like a solid defence on the field of play.

Co-operate with your coach, team-mates and opponents. Without them there would be no competition. They have the same rights as you have, including the right to be respected. A professional appearance relating to language, manner, temper and punctuality is to be adopted at all times.

Denounce those who attempt to discredit our sport. Don’t be ashamed to show up anybody who you are sure is trying to make others cheat. It’s better to expose them and have them removed before they can do any damage. It often takes more courage to denounce what is wrong, than to go along with a dishonest plan.

Honour those who defend football’s good reputation. The good name of football has survived because the vast majority of people who love the game are honest and fair. Sometimes somebody does something exceptional that deserves our special recognition. They should be honoured and their fine example made public. This encourages others to act in the same way.

Training

1. Players must be ready to START training at the nominated time;

2. If you cannot attend training you must contact your Coach or Manager;

3. Injured players are to attend training unless given permission not to by their Coach or Manager;

4. All players MUST attend training sessions. Failure to attend a training session without an appropriate excuse may result in the player missing the starting line-up for the following game;

5. On return from injury, the player will only be permitted to train/play on receipt of clearance stating fitness from a the Club’s Physiotherapist or Doctor;

6. When training, shin pads must be worn at all times;

Appearance and Attendance

1. Players are not to wear Club strip to training or away from official Club events during the course of the season.

2. In the event of wet weather, contact you Coach or Manager; Only Coaches/Managers, Club Officials and Players are to enter the training field area. All other persons are to remain behind the perimeter fence for Insurance purposes and the Child Protection Act.

PARENTS/SUPPORTERS CODE

1. Parents/Supporters will at all times have good manners and be courteous to others whether at training or at games. Respect official’s decisions.

2. Be a positive role model. Be a good sport because players copy their parents;

3. Give our players encouragement and positive reinforcement regardless of the game situation or score;

4. Players have their reasons for playing and respond differently to forceful feedback. Do not thrust your goals and expectations onto them;

5. Foster our players self-image. Encourage them to give their best and make them feel winners for doing so regardless of game results;

6. Mistakes are part of learning. Enable our players to realise this in themselves and others. Encourage them to try things without fear of failure;

7. When playing, players should be allowed to concentrate on their game. Barracking for your team and son is acceptable, however, overzealous barracking involving screaming at referees, players, Coaches and Managers are negative distractions that will not be tolerated;

8. Let the Coach coach! Parents are not to approach the Coach or Manager regarding issues associated with the teams make up or training techniques. Any issues parents have with Coaches or Managers are to be brought to the attention of the Technical Director or Youth Convener who will endeavour to resolve the situation in an amicable manner;

9. Avoid negative discussion about any player, Coach or Manager with parents or in the presence of your son or other team players as this may cause disharmony. Bring any issues to the Technical Director or Youth Convener;

10. Remember football is a game and in the correct environment it can develop characters in players;

11. COACHING FROM SIDELINES WILL NOT BE TOLERATED.

Football Federation of Victoria (FFV) has banned the bringing and drinking of alcohol at any and all grounds where sanctioned games are to be played except in designated areas. Most local council grounds are alcohol “free zones”. Parents are requested to abide by the above by-laws when representing the St Albans Saints SC. St Albans Saints SC is not a child minding facility, hence parents are to remain at the field during training or provide a contact number with officials at the canteen should an accident occur or if training duration is reduced for whatever reason. Parents are also to be on time to collect their child at completion of training. Parents are to advise the Coach and Manager of any medical condition their child may have, such as asthma or previous injury, to ensure appropriate attention during training or at games. Parents are expected to take an active part in our Club by either attending Seniors team home games, Club functions, assisting in fundraising, assisting at game days on the BBQ and canteen, etc.

COACHES/MANAGERS CODE

Coaches and Managers will at all times have good manners and be courteous to others whether at training, participating at games or representing the Club in any way. Coaches and Managers are reminded that they are entrusted with the well being of players in the respective teams and you are to act appropriately towards these players within appropriate guidelines. Abusive behaviour, both physical and verbal, will not be tolerated and will result in removal of your position within the Club. Abusive behaviour also contravenes the Child Protection Act and is a Criminal Offence.

• Ensure that the time players spend with you is a positive learning experience;

• Operate within the rules and spirit of the game and teach your players to do the same including encouragement of sportsmanship;

• Ensure that the equipment and training techniques are appropriate to the age and ability of the players;

• Display control, respect and professionalism to all involved with the sport. This includes opponents, coaches, officials, administrators, players, parents and other spectators;

• It is the Coaches responsibility to develop the make up of the team for each game depending on player’s training discipline, ability, toughness of opposition;

• When players make mistakes do not ridicule them. Outline to them where their mistake was in a controlled non-threatening manner and provide encouragement for the next time;

• The Coach and Manager at away games are representing the Club as Club Officials and are therefore responsible not only for the behaviour of the players and themselves but also for the behaviour and control of the team’s parents and spectators;

• Under FFV Guidelines, no smoking or drinking of alcohol is permitted at any time within the playing arena or around grounds during both training and at games;

• Coaches and Managers are not to enter into disputes with parents. Any issues are to be tabled to the Committee who will endeavour to resolve the situation in an amicable manner.

DISCIPLINARY PROCEDURES

The St Albans Saints SC has a Penalties and Disciplinary Committee (PDC) which will be responsible in investigating incidents and issuing penalties, as appropriate, based on the findings. The Committee is to be approached in the first instance by parents, players, coaches and managers to resolve any complaints or issues that may arise within the Club. Failing a satisfactory resolution by the Committee, or if a complaint relates to a Committee member, complaints will then be forwarded to the PDC for resolution. All complaints or issues requiring resolution are to be made in writing and with 7 days of the alleged incident/s. Please note that the PDC is there to resolve matters relating to the Breach of the Club’s “Code of Conduct”, it is not there to resolve minor club administrative matters, which are the responsibility of the Committee. No parent, coach, manager or committee member is to take matters into their own hands, which relates to breaches of the Club’s Code of Conduct.

1. Any incident reported to the Club PDC will be investigated and appropriate action taken.

2. Any player, spectator, parent or official found guilty of serious offence of any kind relating to football (bad language, abuse of match officials/players or other persons, physical abuse) will be severely dealt with and risk expulsion from the St Albans Saints SC;

3. Players, Coaches or Managers who are sent off for swearing or verbal abuse at a game may receive a further suspension by the Club depending on the severity of the situation. This will not be tolerated and, depending on the severity of situation, may result in the expulsion from St Albans Saints SC;

4. Parents/Supporters who contravene the Code of Conduct relating to verbal abuse of match officials, including players, other spectators, their Coach or Manager, will be severely dealt with by the Club’s PDC Committee and may result in the expulsion from the St Albans Saints SC.

5. The St Albans Saints SC, in any actions taken by FFV against them, will not support parents, coaches and managers that contravene the FFV rules and regulations.

6. As a member St Albans Saints SC, you are able to appeal to the Full Board of St Albans Saints SC any decision reached and penalty imposed by the PDC Committee where you feel that you have been unfairly treated. The appeal must be in writing and submitted with 7 days of receiving the PDC decision.

All players at the club need to fill in the ‘Players Acknowledgement of Code of Conduct and Consent’ form and have it signed by a parent or guardian at the time of registration.

Click on the link below which will open a PDF document, print it out and fill out the document. Please bring the document signed and dated with you during the registration day at the club.