CODE OF CONDUCT AND GOOD PRACTICE FOR
PARENTS/GUARDIANS

Children should be encouraged to:

• Do their best – put in their best effort.
• Make friends.
• Play by the rules.
• Appreciate/accept everyone in the group, regardless of ability, race, religion, gender etc.

Parents and Guardians should look to: 

• Encourage healthy lifestyle habits.
• Attend training and games where possible.
• Promote and teach FAIR PLAY.
• Teach your child to treat referees, other players, coaches, officials and spectators with respect
regardless of race, creed, colour, sex or ability.
• Help children to set realistic targets.
• Help children with decision making.

Parents/Guardians can not:

• Ignore or dismiss any concerns expressed by a child which relate to his/her involvement in soccer.
• Ridicule or shout at a child for losing a game or making a mistake.
• Treat the club as a child minding service.
• Take safety for granted.
• Put undue pressure on any child to please or perform well.

Parent / Coach Co-Operation:

• Give the coach help when asked and show appreciation for a job well done.
• Support the coach’s and referee’s decisions. These individuals are only doing the best they can and
they need support not anger.
• Refrain from contacting the coach unless it is necessary, respect they have a private life.
• Inform the coach about any illness, injury, holidays, etc.
• Make an effort to attend training and games.
• Communicate any concerns you may have to the coach.
• Make sure the child has appropriate equipment/clothing/refreshments.
• Encourage FAIR PLAY at home and do not instil a “win at all costs” attitude in children.
• Be positive or be quiet, negative comments are counter productive.
• Be prepared to be asked to leave by officials or club personnel if behaviour is contrary to the
definition of FAIR PLAY.

Parents / Guardians should never:

• Insult players or club personnel.
• Make any approach to a coach during a match to question or criticise their team selection.
• Argue with, or shout abuse at officials and they should actively discourage children or young
players from doing likewise.
• Suggest or encourage cheating, aggressive or "dirty" play.
• Place undue or inappropriate criticism on a player, causing the player unnecessary or unhealthy
levels of stress.
• Behave with physical or verbal aggression towards another person (actually use force or threaten
the use of force).
• Engage in any "harassment" type of behaviour.

Playing for St Anthony’s Kilcoole FC, the player should undertake to:

• Play fairly, do their best and have fun.
• Make high standards of Fair Play the standard others want to follow.
• Respect opponents - they are not the enemy, they are partners in a sporting event.
• Shake hands before and after the match, whoever wins.
• Give opponents a hand if they are injured, put the ball out of play so they can get attention.
• Accept apologies from opponents when they are offered.
• Respect fellow team members and support them both when they do well and when things go
wrong.
• Treat players from minority groups with the same respect you show other people.
• Be modest in victory and be gracious in defeat “BE A GOOD SPORT”.
• Approach the club’s Children’s Officer with any questions or concerns they might have.

Children should be encouraged not to:

• Cheat.
• Use violence, abusive language, or argue with the referee, officials, team mates or opponents.
• Bully.
• Tell lies about adults or other children.
• Spread rumours.
• Take banned substances to improve performance.
• Keep secrets about any person who may have caused them harm