Code of Conduct
Parents Make The Difference
Above all, the motivating factor for most children who enter an organized youth sports program is their desire to have fun. The degree to which your child benefits from his or her soccer experience is as much your responsibility as it is theirs. In order for your child to get the most out of a soccer program, it is important for you to show support and offer encouragement while maintaining a genuine interest in the team. With a supportive attitude and a fundamental understanding of the game, everyone will come away from their soccer experience with a positive feeling.
Support Your Child
Children derive many benefits from playing youth soccer such as good sportsmanship and self-discipline. They learn how to work together, to sacrifice for the good of the team, to enjoy winning humbly and handle defeat gracefully. In the process, they also learn important lessons about physical fitness and personal goals. Remember that your children are PLAYING the game of soccer. It is important to encourage them to establish their own goals and play the game for themselves. While they should be challenged to perform their personal best at the highest possible level, be careful not to impose your own standards or objectives. As a parent, you should see that your child is on time and prepared for practices and games. It disrupts the coach and other teammates for a player to be late or missing their uniform or equipment. If extenuating circumstances exist or a player has a physical limitation or injury, you should immediately inform the coach about the problem.
Games and Practices
Parents can take the fun out of soccer by continually yelling or screaming from the sidelines. Parents should enjoy the game and applaud good plays. A teamÂ’s performance improves by practicing together. Players, even good ones, cannot improve without practice. Practice stresses the importance of teamwork, establishing goals, discipline and learning emotional control, all of which are important lessons children can use both on and off the field. A player not attending practice regularly may see reduced playing time in games since it is not fair to the other players who have put forth the time and effort to practice with the team.
Good Sportsmanship
Parents serve as role models for their children, who often look to adults for advice, direction and approval. Never lose sight of the fact that you are a role model, and as such, strive to be a positive role model. One of the most important things you can do is show good sportsmanship at all times to coaches, referees, opponents and teammates. Cheer them on as a team and individually as well. Negative remarks from you reflect poorly, not only on the team and the club, but on your child personally.