At Polegate Grasshoppers Junior FC, coaches are considered key to the establishment of ethics in football throughout the Club. Their concept of ethics and their attitude directly affects the behaviour of the players under their supervision. Therefore all Coaches at Polegate Grasshoppers are expected to pay particular attention to the moral aspect of their conduct at all times.

All coaches of the Club must be aware that almost all of their everyday decisions and actions they undertake, as well as strategic targets, have ethical implications. It is natural that winning constitutes a basic concern for coaches. This code is not intended to conflict with that. However, the code calls for coaches to disassociate themselves from a "win-at-all-costs" attitude.

Our Priorities

Coaches should lead by example and show a responsible attitude at all times. The health, safety, welfare and moral education of young people are the first priority, before the achievement or the reputation of the club, coach or parent.

Set out below is a copy of The FA Coaches Association Code of Conduct (which reflects the standards expressed by the National Coaching Foundation and the National Association of Sports Coaches) which forms the benchmark for all involved in coaching and the standard to which all coaches at Polegate Grasshoppers are expected to follow at all times:

* Coaches must respect the rights, dignity and worth of each and every person and treat each equally within the context of the sport.

* Coaches must place the well-being and safety of each player above all other considerations, including the development of performance.

* Coaches must adhere to all guidelines laid down by governing bodies.

* Coaches must develop an appropriate working relationship with each player based on mutual trust and respect.

* Coaches must not exert undue influence to obtain personal benefit or reward.

* Coaches must encourage and guide players to accept responsibility for their own behaviour and performance.

* Coaches must ensure that the activities they direct or advocate are appropriate for the age, maturity, experience and ability of players.

* Coaches should, at the outset, clarify with the players (and, where appropriate, parent) exactly what is expected of them and also what they are entitled to expect from their coach.

* Coaches must co-operate fully with other specialists (e.g. other coaches, officials, sports scientists, doctors, physiotherapists) in the best interests of the player.

* Coaches must always promote the positive aspects of the sport (e.g. fair play) and never condone violations of the Laws of the Game, behaviour contrary to the spirit of the Laws of the Game or relevant rules and regulations or the use of prohibited substances or techniques.

* Coaches must consistently display high standards of behaviour and appearance.

* Coaches must not use or tolerate inappropriate language.

It is the aim of this Club to promote the highest standards of sportsmanship and fair play and to ensure the "spirit" of the game is not abused. Please do not encourage foul play at any time, whether it is physical (hack him down!) or verbal abuse (call him names).

Any adult taking part in any activity organised by this club, or attending such an activity with the club as a guest of another, shall conduct himself or herself in an EXEMPLARY MANNER.

Adult behaviour must be of the highest standard to set the correct example to the players.

Overcoming Difficulties

Players should get advice, encouragement and support and not be embarrassed or humiliated by the adults watching them.

Adults should NOT shout, swear, argue, become violent or use sarcasm. Wherever possible players who require help should be assisted and encouragement to overcome difficulties given.

Adults SHOULD

* Always look for aspects to praise rather than rebuke. Praise good behaviour to show adults value it.

* Praise effort and performance rather than simply achievement most often in the case of a victory.

* Emphasise the importance of involvement first winning second.

* Display patience.

* Ensure players have a clear understanding of the standard of behaviour expected.

* Help players understand the rules, talk to them, not at them!

* Applaud the opposition as well as your own team.

* Avoid coaching the child during the game.

* Not to shout and scream.

* 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.


Matters of team selection, including the playing of substitutes, remain the SOLE responsibility of the TEAM MANAGER and his/her decisions will remain final. Any parent/guardian or person associated with a playing member who attempts to unduly influence the team manager with regard to team selection shall be in contravention of the rules above and may be dealt with as detailed below.

Match Days

On match days please leave the running of the team to the manager and anyone that he has appointed to assist him or her as this can confuse the players when they are getting told different things by different people. This includes team talks before the start, at half-time and at the end of a match.

At all times, during the course of a game, the decisions made by the referee, qualified or unqualified, appointed to officiate will remain final. In many cases newly qualified referees, often young in years, are appointed to youth matches in order to gain experience and these officials, male or female, should be given encouragement and support.

Any Parent/guardian or spectator (associated to a playing member) whose behaviour is considered to fall below the required standard may result in the membership of that player being suspended or cancelled.

Complaints

Any complaint regarding the opposition, referee, spectators, or any other aspect of the game must be dealt with by the TEAM MANAGER. If the matter is considered serious enough the CLUB SECRETARY will inform the appropriate authority. It is not acceptable for individuals to take the law into their own hands.

All parents/guardians and spectators shall abide by the rules of the Football Association and its constituent youth leagues.

Finally, please remember that not all players are of the same ability some are better than others. Your son or daughter may be a good player in a team with others who are not of the same ability yet. At the end of a match do not hold your own child up as an example of excellence to the others, it will only cause resentment from the other players and parents.

Polegate Grasshoppers Junior Football Club is responsible for setting standards and values to apply throughout the club at every level. Football belongs to and should be enjoyed by everyone, equally. Our commitment is to confront and eliminate discrimination whether by reason of sex, sexual orientation, race, nationality, ethnic origin, colour, religion or disability.

Equality of opportunity at Polegate Grasshoppers means that in all our activities we will not discriminate or in any way treat anyone less favourably, on grounds of sex, sexual orientation, race, nationality, ethnic origin, colour, religion or disability.

This includes:

* The advertisement for volunteers.

* The selection of candidates for volunteers.

* Courses.

* External coaching and education activities and awards.

* Football development activities.

* Selection for teams.

* Appointments to honorary positions.

Raising Awareness

Grasshoppers Youth Football Club will not tolerate sexual or racially based harassment or other discriminatory behaviour, whether physical or verbal, and will work to ensure that such behaviour is met with appropriate action in whatever context it occurs.

Grasshoppers Youth Football Club is committed to the development of the programme of ongoing training and awareness raising events and activities, in order to promote the eradication of discrimination within its own organisation, and within football as a whole.