Greater Lafayette Regional Soccer Alliance

Code of Conduct

SPORTSMANSHIP CODE & ZERO TOLERANCE POLICY

This policy has been written by Greater Lafayette Regional Soccer Alliance (GLRSA) to help maintain a healthy balance between fair play and safety. This policy is an association goal to establish a better relationship between coaches, players, parents, and officials. It is the intent of GLRSA to help players, coaches, parents, and fans to be made aware of the true meaning of sportsmanship and integrity of the game.

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 principles governing behavior.

INTEGRITY is defined as a firm adherence to a code of values that incorporate principles of honesty.

FUNDAMENTALS OF SPORTSMANSHIP

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.
Exercise representative behavior at all times. Your behavior influences others whether you are aware of it or not.
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.
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 official’s decisions.
Openly display respect for the 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 the association and your team at all times.
Display pride in your actions always. Never allow your ego to interfere with good judgment and your responsibility as a GLRSA and team representative.

SPORTSMANSHIP CODE GUIDELINES AND BEHAVIOR EXPECTATIONS

COACHES:

Place the emotional and physical well-being of my players ahead of a personal desire to win.
Respect the integrity and personality of the individual athlete, remembering the large range of emotions and physical development for the same age group.
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.
Refrain from Gestures indicating an official or opposing coach does not know what they are doing or talking about.
Refrain from 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 parents on the sideline.
Make sportsmanship your top priority.

PLAYERS:

Learn the rules of the game.
Treat teammates, coaches, referees, and others with RESPECT.
Come prepared physically and mentally to training sessions and matches.
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), acknowledge them as sir/madam 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
Shake hands with the other team and the official(s) after the game.

PARENTS AND SPECTATORS:

Always encourage your child to play by the rules.
Applaud good plays by either team.
Speak about the opposing players in the same manner you would want their parents speaking about your child.
Watch and enjoy the GAME! Let the players play, the coach’s coach and the officials officiate.
Thank your coaches – Win or lose!
Remember ALL of our coaches are volunteers who are sacrificing their own time to coach your child.
Never ridicule or shout at your child or others for making a mistake or for the outcome of a game.
Refrain from questioning the official’s judgment or honesty. Recognize they are symbols of fair play, integrity, and sportsmanship.
Use no foul or inappropriate language.
Abuse of volunteers whether verbal, in writing or in email will not be tolerated.
DO NOT COACH YOUR CHILD! – encourage them!
Don’t try to “orchestrate” your child’s entire playing time on the field with instructions. Your comments may contradict what their coaches have told them to do. Remember that you’re not the coach. Words of encouragement should be the only things you’re saying.

ZERO TOLERANCE / NO DISSENT & SPORTSMANSHIP RULE

GLRSA, by this document, will be enforcing a “Zero Tolerance Policy”. The following is intended to outline the penalties for failing to comply with the premise of this policy.

Any player, coach, parent, spectator, or referee violating this policy will be subject to disciplinary action as determined by the Board of Directors of Greater Lafayette Regional Soccer Alliance (GLRSA). Disciplinary action may include:

Probation
Suspension
Permanent expulsion of an individual or team from the association.

Decisions of the GLRSA Board of Directors are final and no protests will be entertained. If a coach or parent refuses to comply with the penalty, the player will serve the penalty and may suffer expulsion from the association.

“Dissent” includes, but is not limited to:

Overtly questioning an official’s call.
Demonstrably 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 and in accordance with the Rules of Fair Play and the Spirit of the Game.

The coach of each team is responsible for his/her players and parents/fans behavior on his/her respective sideline.

Therefore, any issues with spectating parents/fans will be addressed by the Referee to the coaches, who will be requested to speak with the offending parent(s)/fan(s) in an effort to resolve the behavior.
If the coach is unable to resolve the behavior, the Referee will ask the coach to dismiss the parent(s)/fan(s). If the parent(s)/fan(s) refuses to leave the soccer grounds, the game can and will be terminated.
If the game is terminated due to parent behavior, the Referee will file this within their game report to Greater Lafayette Regional Soccer Alliance (GLRSA). The GLRSA board will review the referee’s report and make a decision for potential forfeiture of said game.

THE PENALTIES FOR DISSENT OR UNSPORTSMANLIKE CONDUCT:

COACH RESPONSIBILITY – IF A COACH WITNESSES UNACCEPTABLE BEHAVIOR FROM A PARENT. The Coach has a responsibility to report it to the GLRSA Board. Any incident reported will result in a fact- finding meeting in which a penalty will be determined. Additionally, if a referee assigns a card the penalties are as follows:

1st YELLOW CARD:

Coach – WARNING & subject to league rules
Player – subject to league rules

2nd YELLOW CARD in same season:

Coach – 1 GAME SUSPENSION (minimum) & subject to league rules
Player – subject to league rules

RED CARD:

Coach – 1 GAME SUSPENSION (minimum) & subject to league rules
Player – subject to league rules

INCIDENT REVIEW PROCESS

The GLRSA Board will:

Review all incidents of dissent or unsportsmanlike conduct by a parent or a coach.
At its sole option, determine if a review is required of all incidents of dissent or unsportsmanlike conduct by a player.
Determine a penalty and communicate it to the offending party(s).

If an appeal is requested the GLRSA Board will hold a fact-finding meeting at a neutral location. There will be a MANDATORY attendance requirement by the coach, player and\or parent.

It will be the responsibility of the GLRSA Board based on the facts presented to determine to allow the offending party(s) to continue to coach, play or attend that team’s future games. Failure to attend this meeting will result in automatic suspension from attendance at any GLRSA functions for the remainder of the current season; board review is required for future reinstatement. Decisions of GLRSA are final and no protests will be entertained.

UNACCEPTABLE BEHAVIORS

Verbal or physical abuse of an opponent, coach, official, player or spectator.
Fighting or violence of any kind
Taunting and trash talking.
“IN YOUR FACE” celebrations.
Use of profanity or other disrespectful language.
Questioning, disagreeing or harassing officials.
Throwing objects onto the playing field.
Booing an official’s decision.
Refusal to provide name by Coach or Player when receiving a card during the match.
Refusing to shake hands or give recognition for good performances upon match completion.
Blaming loss of game on officials, coaches or participants.
Abuse of volunteers whether verbal, in writing or in email.

AGE GROUP SEASON CHAMPIONSHIPS

The GLRSA Board reserves the right to dismantle or request a move up in age group for any team from U9 age group upwards, who meets the below criteria over the course of two, consecutive seasons.

Wins regular season championship by going undefeated as well as wins season ending tournament for two consecutive seasons.

SOCIAL MEDIA

GLRSA players should not author, forward, or post vulgar or offensive notes, texts, photographs, or other content that reflect negatively on them, their teams, other individuals, or the association.

ALCOHOL AND DRUG USE

Any use of alcoholic beverages or banned substances in connection with Greater Lafayette Regional Soccer Alliance (GLRSA) during practice or matches is strictly forbidden.

ACCEPTABLE (EXPECTED) 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 and nothing more.
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.

COMMUNITY

GLRSA players should strive to show respect for all members of the association and the broader community. They should lead by example and remember that both their own and the team's reputations are at stake when they participate in association competitions and interact with others in the community.