Code of Conduct
In order to ensure that the principles of sportsmanship,
fair play, and mutual respect among players, coaches, officials,
and spectators characterize all competition sponsored by the
Great Falls Athletic Association, the following Code of Conduct
has been established by the soccer Steering Committee. It
is the obligation of all program officials, coaches, parents,
and players to create an environment that promotes this objective.
Those who willfully violate this code jeopardize their participation
in the GFAA soccer program, which reserves the right to expel
violators without prior warning. If you have questions, or
need to report a violation, contact our Director
of Rules and Regulations.
Coaches
The coach's role is one of teaching soccer skills and sportsmanship
to the players. The coach is responsible for communicating
practice and game times to the players and parents. The coach
is also responsible for monitoring the behavior of the players
and parents during practice and games. All coaches within
the soccer program will promote good sportsmanship among players,
foster team camaraderie, and help participants have fun while
teaching players the technical skills of soccer. Unsportsmanlike
conduct of coaches will not be tolerated by the program. Such
unsportsmanlike conduct includes berating or making unkind
comments to a player or referee which would reasonably be
expected to cause substantial embarrassment to the player
or referee. Other examples include the intentional abuse or
attempt to abuse the player selection system or willful failure
to follow program rules. By accepting a program assignment
to coach a soccer team, each coach agrees to the above code
of conduct, certifies that he/she has read these rules and
will abide by them and acknowledges that coaching in the soccer
program is a privilege and not a right.
In addition, each Coach will ensure that his/her conduct
sets a good example for team members and spectators. To meet
these responsibilities, the Coach is expected to:
- Know the official rules of soccer, and the rules of
our league, and abide by them.
- Instruct player and parents in the rules and motivate
each player to compete according to the rules at all times.
- Respect the game officials at all times. Refrain from
questioning their decisions or challenging their authority.
- Ensure that league rules and regulations are followed
by all players and spectators.
- Ensure that fans of his or her team exhibit sportsmanship
and maturity at all times and assist league and game officials
in maintaining control of spectators during games.
- Respect the coaches and players of the opposing team
before, during, and after the game.
- Take appropriate steps to minimize scoring in runaway
games.
- Teach each player, especially through personal example,
to be humble and generous in victory and proud and courteous
in defeat.
- Maintain control of his/her emotions and avoid actions,
language, and/or gestures that may be interpreted as hostile
and humiliating.
- Teach and practice good sportsmanship and fair play
by personally demonstrating commitment to these virtues.
- Promote the concept that soccer is merely a game, and
that players and coaches on other teams are opponents, not
enemies.
Players
Every player is expected to:
- Know and respect the rules of soccer, and abide by them
at all times.
- Show respect and courtesy to officials and coaches by
following their instructions and directions.
- Respect the game officials and refrain from addressing
them or commenting on their decisions during or after the
game. Note: The team captain or his designate may address
the officials during the game but only within the provisions
of the rules and in a courteous, respectful manner.
- Maintain control of his/her emotions, avoiding the use
of abusive or profane language, taunting or humiliating
remarks, and/or gestures and physical assault upon another
player at any time.
- Respect the coaches and players of the opposing team
and display sportsmanship at the conclusion of a gameóbe
humble and generous in victory and proud and courteous in
defeat.
- Follow all League rules and regulations, respecting
at all times the property of others.
- Remember that soccer is a game, and treat players and
coaches on other teams as opponents, not enemies.
Parents and Spectactors
The parents' role is one of support to the players and
coaches. Parents should not engage in "coaching" from the
sidelines; criticizing players, coaches or game officials;
or trying to influence the makeup of the team at any time.
Every parent and spectator is expected to:
- Learn and respect the rules of soccer, and the rules
of our League.
- Show respect and courtesy to game officials, coaches,
and players at all times.
- Respect the game officials and refrain from questioning
their decisions or from addressing them in a loud, disrespectful,
or abusive manner.
- Cheer for your child's team in a positive manner, refraining
at all times from making negative or abusive remarks about
the opposing team. Maintain control of your emotions and
avoid actions, language, and/or gestures that may be interpreted
as hostile and humiliating.
- Ensure that your child is at all games and practices
at the required time or provide the coach with an appropriate
excuse beforehand.
- Demonstrate appropriate gestures of sportsmanship at
the conclusion of a game, win or lose.
- Teach and practice good sportsmanship and fair play
by personally demonstrating commitment to these virtues.
- Promote the concept that soccer is merely a game, and
that players and coaches on other teams are opponents, not
enemies.
