Conduct Policies

Effective Date: August 10, 2019

GENERAL INFORMATION

1.       I will not act or speak in an abusive manner toward any employee, officer, director, or volunteer of GSSA (or of any related or affiliated soccer association), whether in person, by telephone, by email, or by any other written or electronic means of communication.

2.       I will not force my children to participate in sports.

3.       I will remember that children participate to have fun, and that the game is for youths, not adults.

4.       I will inform the coach of any physical or emotional disability or ailment that may affect the safety of my child or of others, or may require special coaching needs for my child.

5.       I will learn the rules of the game and the policies of the league.

6.       I and my guests will be positive role models for my child, and encourage sportsmanship by showing respect and courtesy – and by demonstrating positive support for all players, coaches, officials and spectators at every game, practice or other sporting event.

7.       I and my guests will not engage in any unsportsmanlike conduct with any official, coach, player or parent, such as booing or taunting, refusing to shake hands, using profane or threatening language or gestures, or accosting another individual in a threatening manner.

8.       I will not encourage any behaviors or practices that would endanger the health or well-being of the players. I will teach my child to play by the rules and to resolve conflicts without resorting to hostility or violence.

9.       I will demand that my child treat other players, coaches, officials and spectators with respect regardless of race, creed, color, sex or ability.

10.   I will teach my child that doing one’s best is more important than winning, so that my child will never feel defeated by the outcome of a game or my child’s performance.

11.   I will praise my child for competing fairly and trying hard, and make my child feel like a winner every time.

12.   I will never ridicule or yell at my child or other participants for making a mistake or losing a competition.

13.   I will emphasize skill development and practices, and how they benefit my child, over winning. I will also de-emphasize games and competition in the lower age groups.

14.   I will promote the emotional and physical well-being of the athletes ahead of any personal desire I may have for my child to win.

15.   I will respect the officials and their authority during games and will never question, discuss or confront coaches at the game field, and will take time to speak with the coaches at the an agreed-upon time and place.

16.   I will demand a sport environment for my child that is free from drugs, tobacco and alcohol, and I will refrain from their use at all sports events.

EFFECTIVE DATE

•  August 10, 2019

REVISIONS

• Adoption Date: May 4, 2020

GENERAL INFORMATION

Thank you for your participation in the GSSA coaching program. Over the years, GSSA has seen many of its youth players go on to play at the club, collegiate and even the professional levels. Each of those players has a youth coach to thank for their training and development. But more important – and more enduring – is that they have their youth coach to thank for instilling in them a love of the game.

GSSA is a recreational soccer league under the provisions of the North Texas State Soccer Association (NTSSA). Our goals are to foster and advance a soccer program that will promote the ideas of good sportsmanship, health, loyalty, and courage through amateur athletic competition. This Code of Conduct has been developed to clarify and distinguish approved and accepted professional, ethical and moral behavior from that which is detrimental to the positive development of the sport of soccer.

1.       I will not act or speak in an abusive manner toward any employee, officer, director, or volunteer of GSSA (or of any related or affiliated soccer association), whether in person, by telephone, by email, or by any other written or electronic means of communication.

2.       My behavior will exemplify a positive role model for my players. I understand that abusive and/or inappropriate behavior toward players, referees, fellow coaches, parents and spectators will not be tolerated.

3.       I will play each recreational player, when present at a game, a minimum of 50% of the time at that game. If a player’s time must be reduced for medical or disciplinary reasons, I will notify the player, player’s parents, and the opposing coach prior to the beginning of the game.

4.       To safeguard the well-being of my players, I will not have in excess of three (3) events per week, including games and practices.

5.       I will carry my NTSSA coach’s ID card to all games and practices, and I will wear it so that it is visible by the referee during all games. This coach’s card certifies that I have attended the required coaches’ meeting as well as consented to a background check. My coach’s ID card is revocable at the request of the GSSA Board.

6.      I will not recruit players from other teams. I understand that inviting a player from another team to practice or even watch one of my practices is considered recruiting. I understand that holding a conversation about my team with the parent(s) of a player on another team which leads to the player requesting to switch to your team is considered recruiting.

7.       A coach found in violation of these provisions will be disciplined by the Appeals and Disciplinary (A&D) Committee of the GSSA, up to and including suspension from coaching.