SPORTSMANSHIP POLICY
This policy has been written
by Suffolk
Soccer Interleague to help maintain a healthy balance between fair
play and safety. This policy is a league goal to establish a better
relationship between coaches, players and officials. It is the intent of
Suffolk Soccer Interleague to help players, coaches, parents and fans to be
made aware of the true meaning of SPORTSMANSHIP.
SPORTSMANSHIP is defined as the practice of participating in sports
with a conduct and attitude that is considered befitting of that participant,
especially fair play and courtesy. It encompasses both ethical behavior and
acts of integrity.
ETHICS is defined as the principles of right and wrong that
are accepted by an individual or a group. It is a system of principals
governing behavior.
INTEGRITY is defined as a firm adherence to a code of values
that incorporate principles of honesty.
FUNDAMENTALS
OF SPORTSMANSHIP
1.
Gain an
understanding and appreciation for the rules of the game.
Know
the rules. If you do not know the rules, refrain from expressing opinions on
coaches or officials. The SPIRIT of good sportsmanship
depends on conformance to a rule’s intent as well as the letter of the law
2.
Exercise
representative behavior at all times.
Your
behavior influences others whether you are aware of it or not.
3.
Recognize and
show appreciation for an outstanding play by either team.
Applause
for an opponent’s good performance displays generosity and courtesy that should
be regularly practiced. This reflects a true awareness of the game by
recognizing and acknowledging quality.
4.
Exhibit respect
for the official(s)
Officials
are impartial arbitrators. They have been trained in the laws of the game and
are performing to the best of their ability. Mistakes by all participants are
part of the game. The rule of GOOD SPORTSMANSHIP is to accept and abide by the
officials decisions.
5.
Openly display
respect for opponent at all times
Opponents
should be treated cordially and be accorded tolerance .Treat them as you
want
to be treated.
Be
a positive Representative for your club and team at all times
6.
Display pride in
your actions at all times
Never
allow your ego to interfere with good judgment and your responsibility as a
club and team representative.
CONDUCT
GUIDELINES AND BEHAVIOR EXPECTATIONS
COACHES:
·
Respect the
integrity and personality of the individual athlete
·
Exemplify the
highest moral character, behavior and leadership. Adhere to strong ethical and
integrity standards
·
Learn the rules
of the game and teach them in letter and spirit
·
Set a good
example for players and spectators. Refrain from:
§
Arguments in
front of your team and parents
§
Gestures
indicating an official or opposing coach does not know what they are doing or
talking about
§
Throwing objects
in disgust
·
Shake hands with
opposing coaches and officials before and after each match
·
Respect the
integrity of the official. By giving respect, you get respect.
·
Do not use
profanity or other objectionable language
·
Be responsible
for your players and your sideline
·
Make
sportsmanship your first priority
CONDUCT GUIDELINES AND BEHAVIOR
EXPECTATIONS
PLAYERS:
·
Learn the rules
of the game.
·
Treat opposing
players as you would want to be treated
·
Wish opponents
good luck before the game and congratulate them in a courteous manner following
victory or defeat
·
Respect the
judgment of the official(s), treating them with respect even if you disagree
with their judgment will only make a positive impression of you and your team.
·
Play for the fun
of it.
·
Control your
temper. Not only against the opposing team and officials, but with yourself and
your teammates.
·
Do not use foul
or inappropriate language at any time.
CONDUCT GUIDELINES AND BEHAVIOR
EXPECTATIONS
PARENTS AND SPECTATORS:
·
Always encourage
your child to play by the rules.
·
Applaud good
plays by either team
·
Watch and enjoy
the GAME!
Let the players play, the coach’s coach and the officials officiate.
·
Never ridicule or
shout at your child or others for making a mistake or losing the game.
·
Refrain form
questioning the official’s judgment or honesty. Recognize they are symbols of
fair play integrity and sportsmanship
·
Use no foul or
inappropriate language
UNACCEPTABLE
BEHAVIORS
· Taunting and trash talking
· “IN YOUR FACE” celebrations
· Fighting or violence of any kind
· Use of profanity or other disrespectful language
· Questioning, disagreeing or harassing officials
·
Throwing objects
onto the playing field
·
Booing an
officials decision
·
Refusing to shake
hands or give recognition for good performances
·
Blaming loss of
game on officials, coaches or participants
ACCEPTABLE
BEHAVIORS
·
Congratulating
teammates and opponents for effort and excellent performances
·
Shaking hands
before and after the game
·
Thanking
officials for their effort and work
·
Thanking coaches
for their time and help
·
Treat competition
as a ”GAME” instead of a “WAR”
·
Applaud at end of
game for performances of all participants
·
Show concern for
an injured player, regardless of team
·
Helping a
teammate or opponent who has fallen or been injured
FAILURE
TO COMPLY
SUFFOLK
SOCCER INTERLEAGUE by this document will be enforcing a “ZERO
TOLERANCE / NO DISSENT & SPORTSMANSHIP RULE.
The following is intended to outline the penalties for
failing to comply with the premise of this policy
“Dissent” includes, but is not limited to:
· Questioning an officials call.
·
· Voicing displeasure with a call in a manner that can
be heard by the official, players and fans.
“Sportsmanship” includes:
· Any and all actions, behavior and language deemed to
be appropriate by
· Suffolk Soccer Interleague and in accordance with the
Rules of Fair Play and the Spirit of the
Game.
The coach of each team is responsible for his players
and parents / fans behavior on his / her respective sideline.
Therefore any card given to a player or parent / fan
will also be directed at the coach.
If a red card is issued, then the coach and the
offending person will be required to leave the field. If the team does not have
an approved assistant coach on the sideline, then the game will be called
A red card does not have to be issued for Suffolk
Soccer Interleague to enact penalties against a coach, players or parent / fan
if the official deems a report necessary.
THE
PENALTIES FOR DISSENT OR UNSPORTSMANLIKE CONDUCT:
1st YELLOW CARD = 1 GAME SUSPENSION
2nd YELLOW CARD = 2 GAME SUSPENSION
RED CARD = 2 GAME SUSPENSION
The sportsmanship committee will review all incidents
of dissent or unsportsmanlike conduct by holding a fact-finding meeting at a
neutral location.
There will be a MANDATORY attendance
requirement by the coach and a member of his / her board of directors at this
meeting. All attempts to accommodate the schedules of all involved will be
instituted.
If the card was issued to a player or a parent / fan,
then they will also be required to attend the meeting with the coach and a
member of their board of directors.
It will be the responsibility of the Sportsmanship
Committee based on the facts presented to determine to allow the offending
party to continue to coach, play or attend that team’s future games.
If a card is issued at the end of a season, then that
penalty will be enforced at the next season’s scheduled games.
Failure to attend this meeting will result in
automatic expulsion from Suffolk Soccer Interleague.
Zero Tolerance Policy
The Suffolk Soccer Interleague (SSI) was founded in 1987 for the purpose
of providing a safe environment for those players who were interested in
playing soccer for their club but no longer had viable age divisions in which
to play. In keeping with the spirit in which this program was founded, SSI
requires that all participants, including players, coaches, parents, spectators
and referees, behave toward others with courtesy and respect. As such, SSI has
a zero tolerance policy in regards to the following:
·
Verbal
or physical abuse of an opponent by a coach, player or spectator,
·
Verbal
or physical abuse of a player by the player’s own coach,
·
Verbal
or physical abuse of a referee by a coach, player or spectator,
·
Comments
of any kind that can be construed as abusive, threatening, racist or
unsportsmanlike,
·
Physical
violence (fighting, spitting, attempting to strike).
Any player, coach, parent, spectator or referee violating this policy will be subject to disciplinary action as determined by SSI, including:
·
Probation,
·
Suspension,
·
Permanent
expulsion of an individual, team or club from the program.
Decisions of SSI are final and no protests will be entertained.
Updated
STATEMENT
OF ACKNOWLEDGMENT
I, the undersigned acknowledge that I have received a
copy of the Suffolk Soccer Interleague Sportsmanship Policy.
I also acknowledge that I have read this policy and I
understand the expectations and the penalties listed and that I will abide by
the Code of Conduct to the best of my ability.
__________________________ Date Received __________________________ Print Name __________________________ Signature __________________________ Club __________________________ Team Name / Age Group
