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Bethel Park Soccer Association

Code of Conduct and Rules of Discipline.

 

In order to ensure that the principles of sportsmanship, fair play, and mutual respect among players, coaches, officials, and spectators characterize all competition sponsored by the Bethel Park Soccer Association, the following Code of Conduct has been established. It is the obligation of all board members, flight commissioners, coaches, parents, and players to create an environment that promotes this objective. We abide by our Code of Conduct to create the proper environment for our youth.

 

Bethel Park Soccer Association (BPSA) provides the opportunity for youth to develop superior life skills through team play, sportsmanship, top competition and hard work. An emphasis on fair play and respect for all participants is a primary element of our club's mission

 

Section 1 - Coaches Role

The coach's role is one of teaching soccer skills and sportsmanship to the players. The coaches are responsible for communicating practice and game times to the players and parents. All coaches within the soccer program will promote good sportsmanship among players, foster team camaraderie, and help participants have fun while teaching players the technical skills of soccer. The program will not tolerate un-sportsmanlike conduct of coaches. Such un-sportsmanlike conduct includes berating or making unkind comments to a player or referee that would reasonably be expected to cause substantial embarrassment to the player or referee. Other examples include the intentional or willful failure to follow program rules. Each coach agrees to the club's code of conduct, certifies that he/she has read all PAWest soccer rules and will abide by them. The coach will ensure that his/her conduct sets a good example for team members and spectators. To meet these responsibilities, the coaches are expected to:

 

1. Know the official Laws of the Game of soccer and the rules of PAWest and abide by them.

 

2. Instruct player and parents in the rules and motivate each player to compete according to the rules at all times.

 

3. Respect the game officials at all times. Refrain from questioning their decisions or challenging their authority.

 

4. Ensure that fans of his or her team exhibit sportsmanship and maturity at all times and assist league and game officials in maintaining control of spectators during games.

 

5. Respect the coaches and players of the opposing team before, during, and after the game.

 

6. Teach each player, especially through personal example, to be humble and generous in victory and proud and courteous in defeat.

 

7. Maintain control of his/her emotions and avoid actions, language, and/or gestures that may be interpreted as hostile and humiliating.

 

8. Teach and practice good sportsmanship and fair play by personally demonstrating commitment to these virtues.

 

9. Promote the concept that soccer is merely a game, and that players and coaches on other teams are opponents, not enemies.

 

Section 2 - Player's Role

Every player is expected to:

 

1. Learn and respect the rules of soccer, team guidelines, and the rules of PAWest and abide by them at all times.

 

2. Show respect and courtesy to officials and coaches by following their instructions and directions.

 

3. Respect the game officials and refrain from addressing them or commenting on their decisions during or after the game.

 

4. Maintain control of his/her emotions, and not retaliate; avoiding the use of abusive or profane language, taunting or humiliating remarks, and/or gestures and physical assault upon another player at any time even if it is believed that the player has been wronged.

 

5. Respect the coaches and players of the opposing team and display sportsmanship at the conclusion of a game. Be humble and generous in victory and proud and courteous in defeat. Remember that soccer is a game; treat players and coaches on other teams as opponents, not enemies.

 

6. Not use or possess tobacco, alcohol or illegal drugs

 

7. Work for the good of the team and give their best efforts at all times.

 

Section 3 - Parents and Spectators

The parents' role is one of support to the players and coaches. Parents should not engage in "coaching" from the sidelines, criticizing players, coaches, team administrators or game officials or trying to influence the makeup of the team at any time. Every parent and spectator is expected to:

 

1. Learn and respect the rules of soccer, team guidelines, and the rules of PAWest and abide by them at all times.

 

2. Show respect and courtesy to game officials, coaches, team managers and players at all times.

 

3. Respect the game officials and refrain from questioning their decisions or from addressing them in a loud, disrespectful, or abusive manner.

 

4. Cheer for your child's team in a positive manner, refraining at all times from making negative or abusive remarks about the opposing team. Maintain control of your emotions and avoid actions, language, and/or gestures that may be interpreted as hostile and humiliating.

 

5. Ensure that your child is at all games and practices at the required time or provide the coach with an appropriate excuse beforehand.

 

6. Demonstrate appropriate gestures of sportsmanship at the conclusion of a game, win or lose.

 

7. Promote the concept that soccer is merely a game, and that players and coaches on other teams are opponents, not enemies.

 

8. Let the coaches coach. You have entrusted the care of your player to these coaches and they need to be free to do their job. If a player hears a lot of people telling him what to do it diverts his/her attention away from the task at hand.

 

9. Allow a 24-hour grace period following a game to talk to the coach about the game.

 

10. Teach and practice good sportsmanship and fair play by personally demonstrating commitment to these virtues.

 

Section 4 - Rules of Discipline

The following infractions, when committed by a player, a coach, or any member, shall be reported to and reviewed by the BPSA Disciplinary Committee of the Board which may impose additional sanctions above and beyond those imposed by game officials or PAWest for each infraction upon approval of the Board. The Disciplinary Committee will conduct a hearing and make a recommendation for Board approval of action to be taken. The BPSA Disciplinary Committee shall be composed of the following members, all of whom must be present to consider an infraction:

 

     League Commissioner - Chairman

     President - member

     Board member (Referee Committee) - member

     Board member (at large) - member

 

In the event that one of the aforementioned committee members is unavailable for an extended period, such positions may, with consent of the affected player or coach, be filled by either the Board Vice President or another Board member.

 

Section 5 - Infractions

This list of infractions is not meant to be all-inclusive and specific wording and rule references may be changed from time-to-time by any relevant rule revisions. Nevertheless, this list serves as a good guideline to BPSA:

 

• Attempting to injure game or team official.
• Striking or applying physical force to game official.
• Detrimental behavior.
• Persisting in unsportsmanlike conduct.
• Obscene, profane, abusive language.
• Obscene gesture.
• Persisting in player misconduct after being assessed a penalty for the same or similar conduct.
• Attempting to injure opponent.
• Deliberate injury of opponent.
• Willful, intentional, or grossly irresponsible acts which result in damage to a public or private facility being used in association with any BPSA game, practice or other event or to property within or belonging to such a facility.
• Use of alcohol or illegal drugs.
• Smoking or use of tobacco products within any BPSA facility or event.
• Gross insubordination or disrespectful actions to League or Association officials or coaches or to officials and coaches from opposing teams and associations.
• Attempting to injure anyone.

 

Section 6 - Penalties

First violations of the Code of Conduct may be addressed by the Board President through the issuance of a verbal reprimand or a written warning;

 

Second and subsequent violations of the Code of Conduct shall be referred to the Disciplinary Committee for appropriate action by majority vote.

 

Any violations of the above listed Infractions by players, coaches, or members shall result in immediate suspension by agreement of any two Disciplinary Committee members or by individual action of the League Commissioner from participation in any BPSA practice or games. Any such suspension shall remain in effect until the matter has been considered by the Disciplinary Committee and, thereafter, for such length of time as the Board by majority vote deems appropriate. Consideration by the Disciplinary Committee shall be within 3 days of the violation.