At Mittagong Football Club we want everyone to have positive interactions and experience with football.  We expect all our players, Club officials, coaches, parents, volunteers and spectators to abide by our Code of Conduct, reproduced below and also downloadable from the bottom of this page.

 It is vital that everyone involved in sporting activities, whether they are athletes, coaches, parents, officials or supporters understands their responsibilities to ensure that all participants enjoy the sport. At Mittagong Football Club we want everyone to have a positive experience interaction with football. To that end, all players, Club officials, coaches, parents, volunteers and spectators agree to abide by this Code of Conduct.

For Everyone

• Smoking and the consumption of alcohol is not permitted at Ironmines Oval at any time while training is being conducted or between 8.00am and 4.30pm on home game days. Please be aware that smoking is not permitted at any public sporting ground (including spectator areas) during sporting events (including weekend sport). This is in accordance with the Smoke-free Environment Act 2000.
• Show respect and appreciation to Club officials, including coaches, officials and administrators. Ensure any issues are raised through the correct channels.

For Players

• Play by the Rules and within the spirit of the game.
• Do not argue with the match official. If you disagree, have your captain or coach approach the match official during a break in play or after the conclusion of the match.
• Control your temper. Verbal abuse of officials or other players or deliberately distracting or provoking another person is not acceptable or permitted in any sport.
• Maintain your focus and work hard for yourself and your team.
• Be a good sport and be prepared to acknowledge good play whether it is from your team or the opposition.
  • Treat all players as you would like to be treated. Do not interfere with, bully or take unfair advantage of another player.
• Cooperate with your coach, teammates, opponents and officials.Remove all jewellery prior to training and match play, as it is a hazard to you and those around you.
  • Play for your own enjoyment, and not just to please parents and coaches.
• Do not accept or use any banned or unauthorised drug(s) at any time.
• For players 18 years and over, do not consume alcohol before or during games or training.

 For Parents

• Remember that children play the sport for their enjoyment, and not yours.
• Encourage all children to participate (without forcing them) and play according to the rules and spirit of the game.
• Remember that children learn best by example, so applaud good play by both teams.
• Respect the match official's decisions and teach your child to do likewise.
• Focus on the child's efforts and performance rather than the result of the activity (that is, winning or losing).
• Never ridicule, yell at a child for making a mistake or losing a game.
• Respect the rights, dignity and worth of every young person regardless of their gender, ability, cultural background or religion. Support all efforts to remove racial and religious vilification, verbal and physical abuse from sporting activities.
• Do not coach your child from the sideline. Positive support and reinforcement of gameplay and good displays of sportsmanship (from either side) are to be encouraged.
• Respectfully support from the sideline. Support should not be loud or intense but calm, relaxed and always positive.
• Remember that all coaches are volunteers and have varying levels of skills and experience in football and coaching. Set a good example by supporting the coach in public.
• It is up to the coach to make decisions about playing positions and game time. In Mini Roos and juniors, players will generally be encouraged to try different positions and be given roughly equal game time. However, it is at the coach’s discretion to vary these under certain circumstances, such as reduced game time for those who do not attend training.
• If you have a disagreement with the coach this should only be raised in private with the coach verbally with a follow up in writing. If you have raised concerns numerous times and feel that your grievance has not been addressed or adequately explained, you may email your concern to Mittagong Football Club at mittagongfootballclub@gmail.com.
• The allocation of players to teams will be at the discretion of the Club and its Coaches but individual requests will be conditions and assessed on an individual basis.

For Coaches and Team Managers

• Remember that players participate for fun and that winning is not everything.
• Be reasonable in your demands on younger players’ time, energy and enthusiasm.
• Teach your players to abide by the Rules and Laws of the Game.
• Ensure that equipment and facilities meet a reasonable safety standard and are appropriate to the age and ability of the players.
• Modify your approach to suit the skill levels and needs of players.
• Develop and enhance respect between players, opposition coaches and the decisions of the match official/s.
• Follow the advice of a physician when determining the extent of a player's injury.
• Keep up to date with the latest coaching practices (refer to Coach Accreditation Criteria).
• Take time out to teach players (& others) the Laws of the Game, thereby raising general awareness.
• Remind all players to play within the spirit of the game at all times.
• Ensure players are good sports and ensure each team member shakes the hand of their opponents at the conclusion of every match.
• Remember the actions of yourself and your team is reflective of the perception others take away with them.

 For Club Officials

• Help coaches and officials highlight appropriate behaviour and skill development, and assist in raising the standards of coaching and officiating.
• Ensure everyone involved in football emphasises fair play, and not winning at all costs.
• Be tolerant and calm under pressure and approach problem solving in a supportive manner as members and players will expect you to set an example for others.
• Make every effort to educate persons who breach these guidelines from time to time.

For Other Volunteers

• Ensure that you uphold the values of Mittagong Football Club.
• Take care of all equipment in your care and control.
• If you identify a risk, ensure that it is reported to a Club official.

For Spectators

• Show respect to both teams when watching matches: applaud good play and performances from both teams, and be forward in congratulating all participants on their performance regardless of the final outcome.
• Respect the match official's decisions on the day.
• Condemn the use of violence in any form, be it by spectators, coaches, officials or players.
• Encourage players to follow rules and accept the decision of the match official.
• Do not intimidate, harass or use foul language towards, players, match officials, Club Officials or other spectators.

 This Code of Conduct was adopted by the Mittagong Football Club at its meeting of 4 March 2019.

Mittagong Football Club
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MFC Code of Conduct - adopted 4 March 2019