OLINDA FERNY CREEK
FOOTBALL NETBALL
CLUB
CODE OF CONDUCT POLICY
July 2014
OLINDA FERNY CREEK FOOTBALL NETBALL CLUB
MANDATORY & ENFORCEABLE CODE OF CONDUCT FOR COACHES, PLAYERS, OFFICIALS, PARENTS AND SUPPORTERS AND ADMINISTRATORS
The Olinda Ferny Creek Football Netball Club (OFCFNC) fully supports the codes of conduct as introduced by the AFL, AFL Victoria, the Yarra Valley Mountain District Football League (the League) and Netball Victoria.
PURPOSE
The purpose of this Code of Conduct is to promote and strengthen the reputation of the
Olinda Ferny Creek Football Netball Club (OFCFNC), by establishing a standard of performance, behaviour and professionalism for its participants and stakeholders.
The Code of Conduct establishes the minimum standards of acceptable behaviour for all involved in the OFCFNC without removing the requirement for all to exercise good judgement. The Code of Conduct applies when playing, training or taking part in OFCFNC sponsored or sanctioned activities.
The Code of Conduct has been developed by the Committee of the OFCFNC in consultation with the Senior Leadership Group (representing the players) and the OFCFNC coaching staff.
APPLICATION
The Code of Conduct applies to all members of the OFCFNC community and to all activities undertaken by the OFCFNC. This includes all OFCFNC officials, (or any person representing the OFCFNC in any capacity), Coaches, Players, and Members.
BEHAVIOUR
The Code of Conduct requires Officials, Coaches, Players and Members to understand that they must maintain a standard of behaviour and conduct that is in the best interests of the game and the OFCFNC. They must also represent themselves in an honest and forthright manner and not bring the OFCFNC into disrepute.
DISCIPLINARY CONSEQUENCES
Any breach of the OFCFNC Code of Conduct will be subject to disciplinary action as determined by a Disciplinary sub-Committee of the full Committee compromising:
- The OFCFNC Committee Chair;
- A representative from the club Coaching group;
- A representative from the Players Leadership Group;
- An office bearer of the OFCFNC Executive Committee; and
- A member of the Sports Management Group
SANCTIONS / PENALTIES
The Disciplinary sub-Committee will administer penalties for any breach of the Code of
Conduct as appropriate, which may include:
- Reprimand;
- Direction to make a verbal or written apology;
- Direction to undergo Counselling;
- Fine;
- Suspension;
- Expulsion and/or termination of a Contract;
- Cancellation of Membership; and/or
- such other sanction as deemed appropriate.
Attachments:
1 COACHES CODE OF CONDUCT
2 PLAYERS CODE OF CONDUCT
3 OFFICIALS CODE OF CONDUCT
4 PARENTS AND SUPPORTERS CODE OF CONDUCT
5 ADMINISTRATORS CODE OF CONDUCT
Attachment 1
COACHES CODE OF CONDUCT
Coaches are required to sign the AFL Code of Conduct as part of the Level 1 Accreditation requirement. All coaches must be accredited to coach in the league.
Coaches must, to the best of their ability, endeavour to uphold the following principles:
- Place the safety and welfare of players and members above all else;
- Help each person (athlete, official, etc.) to reach his or her potential. Respect the talent, developmental stage and goals of each person and encourage them with positive and constructive feedback;
- Obtain appropriate qualifications and keep up-to-date with the latest coaching practices and the principles of growth and development of young players;
- Ensure that any physical contact with another person is appropriate to the situation and necessary for the person's skill development;
- Set a good example and display utmost honesty and integrity in all dealings;
- Teach fair play and good sportsmanship;
- Never place the value of winning above that of instilling the highest possible ideals and character;
- Be reasonable in demands, setting goals and expectations at an attainable level;
- Maintain a current knowledge of the laws of the game and teach and interpret the laws to the players;
- Never ridicule players;
- Respect the rights, dignity and worth of all individuals within the context of my involvement in Australian Football, including refraining from any discriminatory practices on the basis of race, religion, ethnic background, or special ability/disability;
- Encourage and create opportunities to develop individual as well as team skill;
- Ensure that all players understand the importance of regular attendance at training and positive attitude at training and that team selection throughout the season, including the finals, may be influenced by their training attendance and attitude;
- Ensure that injured players are given prompt and competent medical attention and that doctor’s orders are strictly adhered to;
- Endeavour to keep informed regarding sound principles of coaching and skill development and of factors relating to the welfare of the players;
- Display and teach appropriate sporting behaviour, ensuring that players understand and practice fair play;
- Display and foster respect for umpires, opponents, coaches, administrators, other officials, parents and spectators;
- Abide by the By-Laws, (Rules & Regulations) and the Competition Rules of the League;
- Do not engage in physical and/or verbal intimidation, abuse or conduct toward any player, official, umpire or supporter. Such actions are totally unacceptable;
- Respect the facilities and equipment of the OFCFNC and opposing Clubs; and
- make no detrimental statements in public (radio, television, print or electronic media) in respect to the performance of any match officials, players, or any policy decisions of the Club or to the League.
Attachment 2
PLAYERS CODE OF CONDUCT
Players must acknowledge that they will:
- Play by the rules – the rules of OFCFNC and the laws of the game;
- Never argue with an umpire or other official –
- Be a team player and acknowledge that it is a team game and should be treated that way;
- Treat all players as they themselves would like to be treated – fairly;
- Control their temper, cooperate with and act respectfully toward OFCFNC coaching staff, officials and fellow players as well as opposing Clubs and umpires, understanding that without these people football/netball cannot be played and thatverbal abuse and sledging others doesn’t foster enjoyment or the winning of games;
- Play for personal enjoyment and to improve individual skill levels;
- Not use remarks based on race, religion, gender or ability and recognise that such comments are politically incorrect and let down their coach, team-mates, OFCFNC and their family;
- Attend training sessions and matches at times advised by the club and if unable, for a valid reason to do so, will inform the club as soon as is practicable;
- Avoid all acts likely to incite spectators to violence or disorder including individual or collective behaviour that may reasonably be held by spectators to be offensive;
- Not make no detrimental statements in public (radio, television, print or electronic media) in respect to the performance of any match officials, players, or any policy decisions of the OFCNFC or the League;
- Abide by the By-Laws, (Rules & Regulations) and the Competition Rules of the League; and
- respect the facilities and equipment of OFCNFC and opposing Clubs.
Attachment 3
OFFICIALS CODE OF CONDUCT
Officials of the OFCFNC must acknowledge that they will:
- Display fairness and uniformity in applying the rules;
- Be honest in their assessment of situations and consistent and courteous in calling all infractions;
- Condemn deliberate fouls as being unsporting and promote fair play and appropriate sports behaviour;
- Ensure that the health and safety of the players is the most important reason to be weighed in during the decision making process;
- Use common sense to ensure the ‘spirit of the game’ for players is not lost by being too pedantic when applying the rules;
- Be a positive role model in behaviour and personal appearance;
- Remain up to date with any rule changes and/or interpretation of rules as laid down by the AFL and/or Netball Australia;
- Seek continual self-improvement through study, performance appraisal and regular updating of competencies;
- Not engage in physical and/or verbal intimidation, abuse or conduct toward any player, official, umpire or supporter, recognising that such actions are totally unacceptable;
- Place the safety and welfare of the players and club members above all else;
- Ensure all players are included and can participate, regardless of their race, gender, ability, cultural background, sexuality or religion;
- Be consistent, impartial and objective when making decisions; and
- address unsporting behaviour and promote respect for other players and officials.
Attachment 4
PARENTS AND SUPPORTERS CODE OF CONDUCT
Parents and supporters of the OFCFNC must acknowledge that they will:
- Encourage participation not force it, focus on effort and performance rather than winning or losing and remember that they are there for the participants to enjoy the game;
- Never ridicule mistakes or losses and recognize that supporters are there to support not downgrade;
- Lead by example and not engage in physical and/or verbal intimidation, abuse or conduct toward any player, official, umpire or supporter, acknowledging that such actions are totally unacceptable and will not be tolerated by the OFCFNC;
- Never conduct criticism of umpires publicly but raise any personal concerns they have with club officials in private;
- Recognise all volunteers who are giving up their valuable time;
- Not use remarks based on race, religion, gender or ability – recognizing that in doing so, they will be letting down their family and themselves and that many such comments are illegal. Also recognizing that such comments are politically incorrect and it is the OFCFNC, its coaches, players, and wider family members that are let down with such remarks;
- Respect the facilities and equipment of OFCFNC and opposing clubs;
- Not condemn the use of violence in any form, whether it is by spectators, coaches, officials or players;
- Assist the club, coach and/or officials at training and at games where possible;
- Model appropriate behaviour, including respect for the effort and performances of players and officials from both OFCFNC and opposing clubs; and
- reject the use of harassment, bullying or violence in any form, whether by other spectators, coaches, officials or athletes.
Attachment 5
ADMINISTRATORS CODE OF CONDUCT
Administrators of the OFCFNC must acknowledge that they will:
- Involve others in planning, leadership, evaluation and decision making related to football and netball;
- Create pathways for people to participate and develop through football/netball not just as players but also as coaches, umpires and administrators;
- Ensure equipment and facilities are safe and appropriate to the ability level of the participants;
- Establish that qualified and competent coaches and officials capable of developing appropriate sports behaviour and specific skill technique provide adequate supervision;
- Help coaches and officials highlight appropriate behaviour and skill development and help improve the standards of coaching and officiating;
- Assist all participants in football/netball to know and understand the rules;
- Set a conduct example for others to follow;
- Make it clear that abusing people in any way is unacceptable and will result in disciplinary action;
- Respect the rights, dignity and worth of every person;
- Not make detrimental statements in public (radio, television, print or electronic media) in respect to the performance of any match officials, players, or any policy decisions of the Club or the League;
- Not engage in physical and/or verbal intimidation, abuse or conduct toward any player, official, umpire or supporter recognising that such actions are totally unacceptable;
- Always respect the use of facilities and equipment provided;
- Ensure on and off the field behaviour is consistent with the principles of good sportsmanship;
- Ensure all parents, coaches, sponsors, administrators, officials, medical staff and players, understand their responsibilities regarding fair play in sport;
- Abide by the By-Laws, (Rules & Regulations) and the Competition Rules of the League;
- Ensure quality supervision and instruction for players;
- Support coaches and officials to improve their skills and competencies;
- Act honestly, in good faith and in the best interests of the sport as a whole;
- Ensure that any information acquired or advantage gained from the position is not used improperly; and
- conduct club responsibilities with due care, competence and diligence.
