HomeClub PoliciesCode of Conduct

We all have a responsibility to promote high standards of behaviour in the game. As a player, you have a big part to play. That’s why Football Federation Australia is asking every player to follow a Respect Code of Conduct.

When playing football, I will:

• Always play to the best of my ability
• Play fairly – I won’t cheat, complain or waste time
• Respect my team-mates, the other team, the referee and my coach and manager
• Play by the rules, as directed by the referee
• Shake hands with the other team and referee at the end of the game
• Control my temper and never verbally or physically abuse other players or officials.
• Listen and respond to what my coach/team manager tells me
• Talk to someone I trust such as my coach, team manager, parent or club committee members if I’m unhappy about anything at my club.
• Work equally hard for myself and for my team.
• I will be a good sport and treat all players as you would like to be treated.

I understand that if I do not follow the Code, any/all of the following actions may be taken by my club or competition administrator. I may:

• Be required to apologise to my team-mates, the other team and the referee
• Receive a formal warning from the coach or the club
• committee
• Be dropped or substituted
• Be suspended from training
• Be required to leave the club.

• Remember that junior players participate for pleasure and winning is only part of the fun. Never ridicule or yell at a junior player for making a mistake or not winning.
• Be reasonable in your demands on players’ time, energy and enthusiasm.
• Operate within the rules and spirit of the game and teach your players to do the same.
• Ensure that the time players spend with you is a positive experience.
• All junior players are deserving of equal attention and opportunities.
• Avoid overplaying the talented players; the just average need and deserve equal time.
• Ensure that equipment and facilities meet safety standards and are appropriate to the age and ability of all players.
• Display control, respect and professionalism to all involved with the sport. This includes opponents, coaches, officials, administrators, the media, parents and spectators. Encourage your players to do the same.
• Show concern and caution toward sick and injured players. Follow the advice of a physician when determining whether an injured players is ready to recommence training or competition.
• Obtain appropriate qualifications and keep up to date with the latest coaching practices and the principles of growth and development of young players.
• Any physical contact with a junior player should be appropriate to the situation and necessary for the player’s development, operating under the regulations and policies set out in the FFA Safegauding Policy document.
• Respect the rights, dignity and worth of every young person regardless of their gender, ability, cultural background or religion.

Parents and carers have a responsibility to support your child’s football activities in a positive way on and off the field. This includes being a role model and encouraging good behaviour in not only your own child but also their team mates, coach, manager and other spectators. Supporting your child and their team is natural, but it needs to be done in a positive and supportive way in a harassment-free environment.

As a parent I will:

• Remember that children participate in sport for their enjoyment, not yours.
• Encourage children to participate, do not force them.
• Focus on your child’s efforts and performance rather than whether they win or lose.
• Encourage children to play according to the rules and to settle disagreements without resorting to hostility or violence.
• Never ridicule or yell at a child for making a mistake or losing a competition.
• Remember that children learn best by example.
• Appreciate good performance and skilful plays by all participants.
• Support all efforts to remove verbal and physical abuse from sporting activities.
• Respect officials’ decisions and teach children to do likewise.
• Show appreciation for volunteer coaches, officials, committee and administrators. Without them, your child could not participate.
• Escalate issues through committee for deliberation
• Respect the rights, dignity and worth of every young person regardless of their gender, ability, cultural background or religion.

I understand that if I do not follow the Code, any/all of the following actions may be taken by my club or competition administrator. I may:

• Be required to apologise to other parents, the other team and the referee
• Receive a formal warning from the club committee
• Be suspended from attending matches
• My child’s registration may be cancelled

Recommended Reading for all Parents, Coaches and anyone involved in “Kids’ Sport” … … click the link here to read a “Kids’ sport – a very real guide for grownups“, as published by the NSW Department of Sport & Recreation.

A spectator present at a Match or otherwise involved in any activity staged or sanctioned by FFA or an affiliated Member Federation, District Association or Club must:

• Respect the decisions of Match Officials (Junior Club Referees, Senior Club Referees or League Appointed Referees) and teach children to do the same;
• Never ridicule or unduly scold a child for making a mistake;
• Respect the rights, dignity and worth of every person regardless of their gender, ability, race, colour, religion, language, politics, national or ethnic origin;
• Not use violence in any form, whether it is against other spectators, Team Officials (including coaches), Match Officials or Players;

•  Not engage in discrimination, harassment or abuse in any form, including the use of obscene or offensive language or gestures, the incitement of hatred or violence or partaking in indecent or racist chanting;
• Comply with any terms of entry of a venue, including bag inspections, prohibited and restricted items such as flares, missiles, dangerous articles and items that have the potential to cause injury or public nuisance;
• Not, nor attempt to, bring into a venue national or political flags or emblems (except for the recognised national flags of any of the competing teams) or offensive or inappropriate banners, whether written in English or a foreign language;
• Not throw objects (including on to the field of play or at other spectators) and must not enter the field of play or its surrounds without lawful authority; and
• Conduct themselves in a manner that enhances, rather than injures, the reputation and goodwill of FFA and football generally.

Any person who does not comply with this Spectator Code of Behaviour or who otherwise causes a disturbance may be evicted from a venue and banned from attending future Matches.  Spectators may also face explosion from club should the matter be deemed severe