Code of Conduct for Parents/Spectators

As parents and spectators, you have a great influence on children’s enjoyment and success in football. All children play football because they first and foremost love the game – it’s fun. However good a child becomes at football within this club, parents and spectators should remember that positive encouragement will contribute to:

• Children enjoying football
• A sense of personal  achievement
• Self-esteem
• Improving the child’s skills and techniques

As parent’s/spectator’s, your expectations and attitudes have a significant bearing on a child’s attitudes :

• Other players
• Officials
• Managers
• Spectators

Ensure that you, as parents/spectators within this club, are always positive and encouraging towards all of the children - not just your own.

This club encourages you to:

• Applaud the opposition as well as your own team
• Avoid coaching the child during the game
• Not to shout and scream
• Not to use foul or abusive language towards players or officials
• Young people are not playing to satisfy your ambition
• Young people are involved for their enjoyment – not yours
• Never ridicule a player for making a mistake or for losing. Praise them or - keep quiet
• Respect the referee’s decision
• Give attention to each of the children involved in football - not just the most talented
• Give encouragement to everyone to participate in football

Parents/spectators within this club agree to and adhere to the club’s code of conduct and child protection policy.

We highly recommend you try the F.A.’s Soccer Parent on-line course at http://www.thefa.com/Grassroots/ClubDevelopment/Volunteers/Postings/2004/01/SoccerParent.htm