Parent Sideline Ethics
TO JOIN SPORTING ELITE, PARENTS ARE EXPECTED TO AGREE TO AND FOLLOW OUR SIDELINE ETHICS POLICY:
Purpose – Parents play a pivotal part in helping their own AND other players learn good sportsmanship. Their own behavioral example is instrumental in demonstrating how to work together, sacrifice for others, how to deal appropriately with defeat and victory. Sporting Elite expects parents to treat youth football appropriately – children having fun.
Our club members should be role models of how to behave on the touchline. In line with the above statements, SE requires parents to sign this parent sideline ethics agreement before having their family participate in any Sporting Elite club team.
This agreement states the following;
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I understand that football is about enjoyment of the game and not just winning. Sporting Elite parents will always encourage their children in skill development and effort. Winning will NEVER be our sole motivation. Your children want to have fun. Let them. Reduce their competitive pressure and encourage technical development, teamwork, confidence and fair play. Have fun spending time with your kids and playing sports.
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I will continue to embrace learning about football and the rules of the game a. football looks incredibly easy to play, coach or referee. You can enhance your enjoyment of the game by continuing your journey of understanding football technique and tactics, the speed of play as well as the rules of the game. football is much different than many other sports and is more of a free flowing sport with evolving situations and problem solving opportunities for the players. Football is extremely physically demanding and requires decision making skills from the players. As you continue to study the game, you’ll enjoy it even more.
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I will support the team and OUR club, not just my own child Encouragement above all should be your main contributions, not player instructions. Because it is a player centered sport and requires the athletes to make decisions on the field, you can help foster their decision making skill by letting them learn the process on their own, rather than giving them instruction. BE POSTIVE! Applaud both teams when they are successful. Don’t get over involved.
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I will demonstrate good sportsmanship. Demonstrate a positive attitude and be encouraging. Children learn by the examples we give them. Ask them if they had fun, not “why weren’t you playing in” a certain position. Respect the game and the opponents. Lose gracefully and win with humility. Teach them end of game sportsmanship. Shake hands, acknowledge your opponents with respect regardless of result.
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I will let the children play. Unlike almost every other sport, football belongs to the players. The children are playing for their own enjoyment, not their parents, or their coaches. Don’t forget these are their memories, their experiences. Playing the game is much more important to the players, performance and winning is more important to parents and coaches. Let them enjoy it and encourage their player development and enjoyment over winning.
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I will let the Coaches coach. Every team has a coach. That coach provides guidance, instruction and supervision for your children to play football in a safe environment. Show your coaches respect and respect their decisions. Coaches consistently need your support. They are concerned with the entire team, not just your child. Don’t undermine, or second-guess them – it’s counter-productive and creates a tense environment.
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I will let the officials judge the game. Youth football referees control the game. They respect the spirit of the game, skill, sportsmanship and fair play. They always believe they made the right call; that is why they called it. Trying to manipulate the ref by telling him “good call ref” is inappropriate and superficial. Let them do their job without your nod of approval or disapproval. Support them by letting them do their job.
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I will attend games in the spirit of fun. Enjoy being around other parents and coaches. Help your children come ready to play-on time, with proper equipment, and with a positive attitude. Foster their love for the game – watch a professional game, or college game with them. Kick around with them for fun. football is VERY difficult, take it easy on them – applaud their effort, don’t criticize their mistakes.
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I will be a SUPPORTIVE our football Family. Volunteer to help out the club. Sport teaches discipline and accountability, so be on time or early. Support your coaches in any way possible. Be more concerned with your child’s long-term development instead of winning or losing in the immediate. Focus on the effort they give and their skill accomplishments.
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I understand they are just KIDS and this is only a game. One of the most important parts. None of our kids are playing for a World Cup Championship right now. We want them to fall in love with the game. We want them to learn new things about football, about themselves, new skills, teamwork, lifelong important, impactful things. We want football to build character, confidence, and inclusiveness. When these kids try their best, and have fun – Nobody loses. You’ll be able to see some wonderful progress if fun, and development are your priorities.
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At the conclusion of the game, I will strengthen the positivity of football. The ride home from a game can sometimes be the most memorable for the child – either positively or negatively. Make sure it’s a positive one by discussing all the positives you can about your child, the coach, and the team. You will facilitate an environment of positive inclusiveness by doing this.