The Riddells Creek Junior Football & Netball Club has a proud history of setting high standards in how we conduct ourselves on game day and at all RCJFNC organised events. Our Code of Conduct is adapted from the Code of Conduct of the Riddell District Football League and is provided for the benefit of coaches, RCJFNC officials, players, parents/guardians and spectators alike.
1. Alleged breaches of the Code of Conduct (known as an incident) shall be referred to and addressed in the first instance by the following:
- If the incident relates to a player or a member of the Coaching Team, by the Head Coach
- If the incident relates to a Club Official (including the Head Coach), by the President
- If the incident relates to a Parent/Guardian or Spectator, by either the Head Coach or President as is practicable.
2. If the breach is not rectified, or if the seriousness of the breach warrants it, the incident shall then be referred to the Standards Sub-Committee who will investigate the incident. This investigation may include a conduct hearing where the person who has allegedly committed the breach will be required to attend.
3. The Standards Sub-committee will recommend any appropriate rectification, disciplinary action or penalty to the Committee resulting from the incident, which may include:
- Providing a verbal or written apology
- Undertaking specific training
- Official warning
- Suspension from a specified number of games
- Expulsion from the club
- Requirement to pay for any damage caused
- Reporting the breach to the league.
4. Any alleged breach that may constitute a crime will be immediately reported to the Police. Neither the Head Coach, President, the Standards Sub-Committee nor the Committee will operate in lieu of the Police or of any other authority.
HEAD COACH and COACHING TEAM – CODE OF CONDUCT
As a Head Coach or member of the Coaching Team of a RCJFNC team, it is expected that you will:
1. Be familiar with the laws of Australian Football/Netball and abide by the rules and conditions of your league and club.
2. Teach your players that rules of the game are mutual agreements that no player should evade or break.
3. Not discriminate against any of your players and always work at providing an inclusive environment where all players can participate.
4. Encourage players to participate if they are interested. However, if a child is not willing do not force them.
5. Avoid over-playing the talented players. All players, regardless of ability, need and deserve equal time. Contributing to the development of all players will strengthen the team into the future.
6. Focus upon player efforts and performance rather than the overall outcome of the event. This assists the players in setting realistic goals related to their ability by reducing the emphasis on winning.
7. Teach players that honest effort is as important as victory so that the result of each game is accepted without undue disappointment.
8. Remember players learn best by example. Applaud good play by both your team and by players in the opposing team.
9. Remember players should be involved in Football/Netball for their enjoyment, not yours. Winning is only part of it. Emphasise the importance of the learning and development of skills and positive attitudes.
10. Control your temper. Never ridicule or yell at your players for making mistakes or losing. Verbal abuse of officials and sledging other players and deliberately distracting or provoking an opponent are not acceptable or permitted behaviours in any sport and may be a breach of your state, league or national Member Protection Policy.
11. Never engage in any type of violence either on or off the field.
12. Support all efforts to remove verbal and physical abuse from junior sporting activities.
13. Support all club officials in maintaining the highest standard of behaviour both on and off the field for the betterment of the league and your club. Offer your assistance to the team whenever possible so that every opportunity is being provided for the very best supervision and support. Your involvement will give both yourself and the players far more satisfaction.
14. Develop team respect for the ability of opponents, as well as for the judgment of umpires and opposing coaches.
15. Follow the advice of a qualified person when determining when an injured player is ready to play or train again.
16. If you disagree with an official or umpire raise the issue through the appropriate channels rather than questioning the official's judgment and honesty in public. Remember, without officials who give their time and effort, there would not be a game.
17. Make a personal commitment to keep yourself informed of sound junior coaching principles and developments. Attain coaching accreditation and become an active member of your local Coaches Association.
18. Avoid use of derogatory language based on gender, race or sexual orientation. Respect the rights, dignity and worth of all participants regardless of the gender, ability, cultural background or religion.
19. Have a Working with Children Check carried out and record your card number and expiry date with the club. Note: This will be kept with the coaches application form by the club secretary.
20. Agree to abide by your Club and League’s policies as communicated.
21. Do not take part in any form of bullying including via the use of social media.
22. Do not consume any alcohol during junior sport as this is prohibited.
23. Be prepared to be responsible for your actions.
24. Monitor the behaviour of parents/guardians and spectators and of players and other club officials, and report to the Executive Committee any incident where they believe a person is behaving in a manner contrary to the Code of Conduct or other Club or League policies and/or which may reflect badly on the Club. This report should be made as soon as practicable.
25. Support and show respect to players and others who report allegations of breaches of the Code of Conduct or other Club or League policies.
CLUB OFFICIAL (including Game Day Officials and Committee members)
As a Club Official of the RCJFNC, it is expected that you will:
1. Abide by the Code of Conduct applicable to the Head Coach and Coaching Team (with the exception of the requirement to have a Working with Children Check).
2. Create the conditions that enable all Codes of Conduct to be followed.
3. Promote the policies of the Club, the League and ensure that these policies, including the Code of Conduct, is made known to all coaches, coaching team members, players, club officials, parents/guardians and spectators as is relevant.
4. Ensure that the policies of the Club and the League, including the Code of Conduct, are upheld without favour and applied equally to all participants of the RCJFNC.
PARENTS/GUARDIANS AND SPECTATORS
The RCJFNC asks all Parents/Guardians and Spectators to:
1. Encourage children to participate if they are interested. Do not force them.
2. Focus upon the child's efforts and performance rather than the overall outcome of the event. This assists the child in setting realistic goals related to their ability by reducing the emphasis on winning.
3. Teach your child that honest effort is as important as victory so that the result of each game is accepted without undue disappointment.
4. Encourage your child always to play by the rules.
5. Never ridicule or yell at your child for making a mistake or losing a competition.
6. Remember your child should be involved in Football/Netball for their enjoyment, not yours.
7. Remember your child learns best by example. Applaud good play by both your team and by members of the opposing team.
8. If you disagree with an official or umpire raise the issue through the appropriate channels rather than questioning the official's judgment and honesty in public. Remember, without officials who give their time and effort, there would not be a game.
9. Support all efforts to remove verbal and physical abuse from junior sporting activities.
10. Recognise the value and importance of volunteer coaches. They give their time and resources to provide recreational activities for your child and deserve your support.
11. Support your club officials in maintaining the highest standard of behaviour both on and off the field for the betterment of the league and your family. Offer your assistance to the team that your child is playing in so that every opportunity is being provided for the very best supervision and support. Your involvement will give both yourself and your child far more satisfaction.
12. Avoid use of derogatory language based on gender, race or sexual orientation. Respect the rights, dignity and worth of all participants regardless of the gender, ability, cultural background or religion.
13. Agree to abide by your League’s policies as listed on the website and in the information booklet and operations manual.
14. Do not take part in any form of bullying including via the use of social media. For more information they should see their state, league or national Member Protection Policy.
15. Remember that the consumption of alcohol is not allowed during junior sport. The club will also report to the appropriate authorities any illegal behaviour during RCJFNC organised events or at facilities in use by the RCJFNC.
16. Be prepared to be responsible for your actions.
PLAYERS
All players of the RCJFNC are asked to:
1. Abide by the rules of the game and rules set down by the coaching team, the club and the league.
2. Always show respect for umpires and respect decisions made even if you do not agree with the outcome. Never argue with an official, umpire or opposing players. If you disagree, have your captain, coach or manager approach the official during a break or after the match.
3. Remember that without umpires, officials and an opponent, there would be no game.
4. Control your temper. Verbal or physical abuse of officials, umpires, spectators or other players or deliberately distracting or provoking an opponent is not acceptable or permitted.
5. Work equally hard for yourself and your team. Your team's performance will benefit and so will you.
6. Be a good sport. Respect the ability of your opponent. Applaud all good plays whether they be by a player on your team or the other team. Be proud to walk off the ground after each game knowing that you have given your best effort.
7. Treat all players as you would like to be treated. Do not interfere with, bully or take unfair advantage of another player.
8. Remember that your involvement to play is for your enjoyment: winning is only part of it. Play for the fun of it and not just to please parents and coaches.
9. Co-operate with your coaching team and your team mates.
10. Avoid use of derogatory language based on gender, race or sexual orientation. Respect the rights, dignity and worth of all participants regardless of the gender, ability, cultural background or religion.
11. Agree to abide by your Club and League’s policies as listed on the website and in the information booklet and operations manual.
12. Do not take part in any form of bullying including via the use of social media.
13. Be prepared to be responsible for your actions.
14. Talk to a member of your Coaching Team, if you see players not abiding by the Code of Conduct.
15. Talk to a member of your Coaching Team if you experience behavior that you are uncomfortable with or which is against this Code of Conduct.