OUR CODE OF CONDUCT
By joining Risborough Rangers JFC as a Player, Manager, Coach, Parent Volunteer or Spectator, the Club expects you to positively support our code of conduct, which is made up of the following:
a) FA Code of Conduct:
The Club seeks to operate in accordance with the FA Code of Conduct at all times.
Football is the national game. All those involved with the game at every level, whether as a player, match official, coach, owner or administrator, have a responsibility, above and beyond compliance with the law, to act according to the highest standards of integrity and to ensure that the reputation of the game is, and remains, high.
More specifically:
Equality: Football is opposed to discrimination of any form and will promote measures to prevent it, in whatever form, from being expressed.
Participation: Football recognises the sense of ownership felt by those who participate at all levels of the game. This includes those who play, those who coach or help in any way, and those who officiate, as well as administrators and supporters.
Trust and Respect: Football will uphold a relationship of trust and respect between all involved in the game, whether they are individuals, clubs or other organisations.
Violence: Football rejects the use of violence of any nature by anyone involved in the game.
Young People: Football acknowledges the extent of its influence over young people and pledges to set a positive example.
Community: Football, at all levels, is a vital part of a community. Football will take into account community feeling when making decisions.
Propriety: Football acknowledges that public confidence demands the highest standards of financial and administrative behaviour within the game, and will not tolerate corruption or improper practices.
Integrity and Fair Play: Football is committed to the principle of playing to win but consistent with Fair Play. Coaches are key to the establishment of ethics in football. Their concept of ethics and their attitude directly affects the behaviour of players under their supervision. Coaches are, therefore, expected to pay particular care to the moral aspect of their conduct. Coaches have to be aware that almost all of their everyday decisions and choices of actions, 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.
b) Parents Code of Conduct:
Like many clubs,we try to set an example to all our players, by respecting their differing abilities and encouraging good behaviour and sportsmanship.
1. Children should expect their parents to:
Help, encourage and support at all times
Praise good behaviour, effort and performance more than results
Be role models for good behaviour
Show consistency
Look for aspects to praise in players who might not otherwise get attention
2. Children should expect their parents NOT to:
Coach or manipulate them while they are playing
Attempt to ‘referee’ the game by appealing for freekicks, offsides etc.
Abuse or argue with the referee or linesman
Shout, swear, become violent or use sarcasm
Ignore children who need help
Assess players by their incompetence
Please remember that our children are not professional players and do not mean to make mistakes.
We do hope that you will help us to maintain these standards.
c) Players Code of Conduct:
All Players at the Club should adhere to and promote the following code of conduct at all times:
Playing for the team, and for the team to win, is the most fundamental part of the game. But not winning at any cost…. Fair Play and respect for all others in the game is fundamentally important.
Fair Play means that everyone connected with football shows understanding of and respect for the Laws of the Game. Supports the belief that the game should be played in an entertaining and positive way. Behaves on and off the field in a sporting manner towards all others involved, be they players, officials or spectators, irrespective of results and not using inappropriate language.
More specifically:
Obligations towards one’s own team: All players should make every effort consistent with Fair Play and the Laws of the Game to help their own team win. They must resist any influence which might, or might be seen to, bring into question their commitment to the team winning.
Respect for the Laws of the Game and Competition Rules: All Players should know and abide by the Laws, rules and spirit of the game, and the competition rules. They should accept success and failure, victory and defeat, equally.
Respect towards Opponents: All Players should treat opponents with due respect at all times, irrespective of the result of the game. They should safeguard the physical fitness of opponents, avoiding violence and rough play, and help injured opponents.
Respect towards the Match Officials: All Players should accept the decisions of the Match Official without protest. They should avoid words or actions which may mislead a Match Official and always show due respect towards Match Officials. They must avoid all forms of gamesmanship, and time-wasting.
Respect towards Team Officials: All Players should abide by the instructions of their Manager and coaches, provided they do not contradict the spirit of this code. They should also always show due respect towards the Team Officials of the opposition.
Obligations towards the Supporters: All Players should show due respect to the interests of the Supporters and set a positive example for others, particularly young players and supporters.
Please note:
Players are expected to uphold the above code and any other standard contained within the individual Competitions and Leagues. Failure to do so will be handled in accordance with the disciplinary procedures of either the Berks and Bucks FA and or the Clubs own internal disciplinary procedures.
Being accepted into the Club does not give an automatic right for a player to enter into matches. Our objective is to give the greatest possible experience of match play to the widest range of players subject to the availability of our resources.
Please remember:
The club is run entirely by volunteers, who give up their valuable time and energy to coach and manage teams, so that as many 6 to 16 year olds can enjoy playing football locally.
Please do not hesitate to come forwards if you think you can help in any way, as this is how most of the current Managers and Coaches started!
d) Managers Code of Conduct:
All Managers should adhere to and promote the following code of conduct at all times:
Set a positive example for others, particularly young players and supporters.
Promote and develop his own team having regard to the interest of the Players, Supporters and reputation of the game.
Avoid all forms of gamesmanship.
Show due respect to Match Officials and others involved in the game.
Always have regard to the best interests of the game, including where publicly expressing an opinion of the game and any particular aspect of it, including others involved in the game.
Not use or tolerate inappropriate language.
Make every effort to develop the sporting, technical and tactical levels of the club/team, and to obtain the best results by the team, using all permitted means.
Give priority to the interests of the team over individual interests.
Resist all illegal or un-sporting influences, including banned substances and techniques.
Promote ethical principles.
Show due respect to the interests of players, coaches and other officials, at their own club/team and others.
Always show due respect to the interests of supporters.
Please note:
The Management Committee will only consider complaints against a manager where this involves a clear and substantive breach of the above Code.
Performance of an individual player will vary enormously over time and there may also be considerable differences between players both in their skill and physical development. The running of teams and selection of individual players is by no means an easy task and such decisions will rarely be accepted or considered as a basis for a complaint.
Please remember:
To support your Team Manager at all times. He constantly has to make difficult decisions regarding player selection, use of substitutes and tactics.
e) Coaches Code of Conduct:
All Coaches should adhere to and promote the following code of conduct at all times:
Coaches are key to the establishment of ethics in football. Their concept of ethics and their attitude directly effects the behaviour of players under their supervision. Coaches are, therefore, expected to pay particular care to the moral aspect of their conduct.
Coaches have to be aware that almost all of their everyday decisions and choices of actions, 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. Health, safety, welfare and moral education of young people are a first priority, before the achievement or the reputation of the club, coach or parent.
Set out below is The FA Coaches Association Code of Conduct (which reflects that standards expressed by the National Coaching Foundation and the National Association of Sports Coaches) which forms the benchmark for all involved in coaching:
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, parents) exactly what is expected of them and also what they are entitled to expect from their coach.
Coaches must cooperate 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.
Not to use or tolerate inappropriate language.
Please note:
The Club seeks to ensure that each age group has access to at least one FA Level 1 qualified coach. The Club will fund the Training of any volunteer wishing to take this course.
The Management Committee will only consider complaints against a coach where this involves a clear and substantive breach of the above Code.
The day to day decisions and tactics of a Coach will rarely be accepted as a basis for a justifiable complaint.
f) Code for Players Protection and Safety:
The Club and its representatives will apply all due care and attention in relation to the safety of players. In particular it will:
Place the health and safety of players as the priority in all management decisions and actions.
Have a registered first aider present at each coaching session and match.
Implement a programme of screening all managers,coaches and parent volunteers in relation to the Child Protection Act.
Require all adults/guardians of players to have signed a consent form regarding emergency treatment.
Ensure that Coaching staff are present before the commencement of training sessions and matches.
Undertake an inspection of playing surfaces before a match or training session.
Ensure that the guidelines on goal post safety are adhered to.
Have in place the appropriate public and product liability insurance. This provides protection for the Club in relation to claims for damages made against the Club for negligence arising from injury, disease, loss or damage to third parties and or third party property. All acts must be deemed to be accidental.
Will investigate all reports regarding health and safety and agree appropriate action.
Parents and Guardians are expected to:
Bring to the attention of the Team Manager any particular medical condition of a player and current course of treatment.
Have signed a consent form regarding emergency treatment.
Ensure that younger players are escorted and collected from an agreed location by themselves or other person known by the Club.
Please note: In the majority of cases, matches and coaching sessions take place in public areas where there is general access by the public. We strongly recommend that parents and guardians of younger children ensure that their child has been personally escorted to the Team Manager or Coaches and that in the absence of such club representatives does not leave the child unattended.
Check that any person giving a lift to a player to a match or training session is a qualified driver, has adequate insurance cover and is in a vehicle that is road worthy. Please also remember that only Club officials will have been screened in relation to the Child Protection Act.
Bring to the attention of the Club official any act or condition of property which they consider may be harmful to the health and safety of any individual who is a member of the Club. If a concern relates to the action of a Club Official this in the first instance should be brought to the attention of the Team manager. If it relates to the Manager or you consider that inadequate action has been taken then please contact immediately the Club Secretary or Chairman.
Ensure that you have adequate health insurance for both players and supporters. Football is a physically demanding sport and injuries will occur.
Players are expected to:
Bring to the attention of the Team Manager any concern you may have regarding your or another players health and safety.
Think about your own health and the safety in your actions and actions towards other players and act accordingly.
Follow the instructions given by the Team Manager or Coaching staff unless this will result in personal injury or harm to others.
Bring to the attention of your parent or guardian anything that happens whilst at the Club which causes you concern.