CLUB POLICES

Whitehill Football Code of Behaviour for Players

• Play by the rules.
• Never argue with an official. If you disagree, have your captain, coach or manager approach the official during a break or after the competition.
• Control your temper. Verbal abuse of officials, sledging other players or deliberately distracting or provoking an opponent are not acceptable or permitted behaviours in any sport.
• Work equally hard for yourself and/or your team. Your team’s performance will benefit and so will you.
• Be a good sport. Applaud all good plays whether they are made by your team or the opposition. Encourage your team to play fairly.
• Accept defeat with dignity. Nobody wins all the time. You will win some and you will lose some matches. Learn to lose graciously. Don't seek excuses for defeat. Genuine reasons will always be selfevident. Congratulate the winners with good grace. Don't blame the referee or anyone else. Determine to do better next time. Good losers earn more respect than bad winners.
  
• Treat all participants in your sport as you like to be treated. Respect opponents, teammates, referees, officials and spectators. Do not bully or take unfair advantage of another competitor.
• Cooperate with your coach, team-mates and opponents. Without them, there would be no competition.
• Participate for your own enjoyment and benefit, not just to please your parents and coaches.
• Respect the rights, dignity and worth of all participants regardless of their gender, ability, cultural background or religion.
• No foul or abusive language – this means swearing.
• No smoking
• No alcohol or drugs at any time
• No spitting
• No chewing gum.
• Captains are to work under the guidance of the Match Officials
• Captains are to keep control of their team at all times
• Captains are not to question the calls of the Match Officials in an improper manner
• Captains have no more rights than any other player on the field of play.
• NO jewellery is permitted on any playing field. (This includes Wedding Rings, Bobby Pins)
• NO wristbands of any kind are permitted to be worn (Plastic, Rubber or any other material)
• NO band aids covering jewellery are permitted.

Breaches of this Code of Behaviour may result in disciplinary action being undertaken by the Whitehill FC Management Team in addition to any QCSA disciplinary action.

Contacting the QCSA/QCSRA

If you require any information to be sent to the QCSA or QCSRA during the season you need to contact the Secretary or the President. No player/coach/parent is to contact the QCSA/QCSRA directly as fines and loss of points can apply.

Facebook -The comments section on the pages of QCSA/QCSRA is for club use only and should not be used for player/coach/parents to place their thoughts and options on it. Basically just don't write anything on the QCSA/QCSRA Facebook pages,as the club can be find for comments. - QCSA Social Networking Policy - Please refer to QCSA website.

Health and Safety

A first aid kit and first aid officer will be available at the canteen during all home games. If you have a current first aid certificate and are prepared to be a first aid officer, please let the secretary know.

The club will take the utmost care for the safety of the players, however children in the playground are the responsibility of their parent/guardine. Please take the time to check that the playground is clear of dangerous objects and the equipment are in good order so it is safe for them to play.

 Please supply your child/children with a water bottle for training sessions and games. For health reasons, it is essential that each child have an individual drinking container. Research has shown that water is the best thing to give your children to help recover from exertion.

 It is hot on the field, even during winter. Remember to be ‘Sun Smart’ and apply sunscreen to your children regularly. The Club has sunscreen at the canteen if you forget.

Coaches/Managers/Officals

 

1. I commit to conducting myself in a manner consistent with the Safe Ministry Training “Leadership Training Course” when serving with Whitehill FC;I commit to ensuring that the spaces and activities I’m responsible for are safe and do not put people at risk of significant harm.
   1. I will treat adults, children and young people with respect and value, without favouritism.
   2. I will behave appropriately, being faithful to my appointed tasks, being an example to others, and being careful in how I physically interact with others.
   3. I will never use physical punishment or abusive language - even as a form of discipline.
   4. I will act transparently, as far as possible, ensuring that another adult is present or within eyesight when I am with a vulnerable person (including other people’s children).
2. I commit to including vulnerable people (and/or their carers/significant other) in discussions about decisions that will significantly affect them.
3. I commit to encouraging openness by listening to people’s concerns with a willingness to support them and help them.
4. I commit to reporting any concerns or suspicions about harmful behaviours and significant risks to the Whitehill FC Safe Ministry Contacts without bias or partiality.
5. I will submit to the Whitehill FC leader screening process to ensure I’m a suitable person to work with vulnerable people.
6. I will submit to disciplinary steps if I am found to violate these commitments or act in an otherwise inappropriate or illegal manner at Whitehill FC.

• “We require all our Coaches and Managers to sign-off on our Leader Code of Conduct”

Whitehillfc Safe Operations Policy

Club Code of Behaviour for Coaches/Managers/Officals

• Remember that young people participate for pleasure, and winning is only part of the fun.

• Never ridicule or yell at a young player for making a mistake or not coming first.

• Be reasonable in your demands on players’ time, energy and enthusiasm.

• Operate within the rules and spirit of your sport and teach your players to do the same.

• Ensure that the time players spend with you is a positive experience. All young people 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 players to do the same.

• Show concern and caution towards sick and injured players. Follow the advice of a physician when determining whether an injured player 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 people.

• Any physical contact with a young person should be appropriate to the situation and necessary for the player’s skill development.

• Respect the rights, dignity and worth of every young person regardless of their gender, ability, cultural background or religion

• • No foul or abusive language – this means swearing.
  • No smoking
  • No alcohol or drugs at any time
  • No spitting
  • No chewing gum.
  • Coaches/Managers/Officals are to work under the guidance of the Whitehill FC Soccer Committee Members
  • Coaches/Managers/Officals are to keep control of their team at all times
  • Coaches/Managers/Officals are not to question the calls of the Match Officials in an improper manner.
  • No-one likes to lose but if your team did their best then be proud of yourself for them.

Breaches of this Code of Behaviour may result in disciplinary action to being undertaken by the Whitehill FC Management Team in addition to any QCSA discipline action

 The Vested Offical

• should walk onto the field with your team, at the start of the game, so the referees,players and spectators know who you are and advise the referee where you will be located whilst the game is in progress so that they can find you easily if need be;
• is required for all teams that partake in the QCSA fixture competitions;
• a high visibility vest/jacket is to be worn by a team official appointed by the Club, at each match in which the Club is involved;
• is the person who controls the crowd / spectators. Often it can be the Team Manager ofthat team;
• can never be the Coach;
• cannot be involved in any running of the team, i.e., interchanges or positional changes;
• are required to add their name on the Electronic Match Card to indicate who they are to the QCSA so QCSA can contact as required;
• are to observe the game from where the majority of the spectators are. Not on their own on the other side of the field, and definitely not from the Coaches / interchange boxes;
• is the person that the referee will speak to, if the referee has an off-field problem that needs sorting out;
• when off field problems, such as referee abuse, smoking in wrong areas, alcohol, or other issues are present, it is this person’s responsibility to stop it;
• is required to control all spectators (not just their own). It is helpful though, if any problems need to be dealt with, for the Vested Officials to deal with it together;
• Clubs must ensure Managers / Coaches are very careful about the people they ask to do this position;
• must be at least 18 years old, since obviously a 12-year-old can hardly be expected to do the above; Likewise a 95 year old would be unable to fulfil the duties;
• QCSA suggests that teams have a parent / person that is prepared to do it most weeks, so they are aware of the responsibility (and perhaps have a backup for when the original person is way);
• EVERY GAME MUST HAVE A VESTED OFFICIAL PRESENT FROM BOTH TEAMS;
• teams can be fined and have a loss of points for non-compliance;
• in certain cases, MC can rule that teams have to have multiple Vested Officials;
• aside from the start of the match, must never enter the field of play without the referee’s consent and ensure that no spectators do either;
• for Senior Teams, we do recognise that a lot of teams have just the players and no spectators. In these cases, the Vested Official may be one of the players. That person must still sign the match card and do all the duties as outlined above. If there are any spectators with your team, then this is not allowed.

As you can see from above, the Vested Official is a very important position and the person / people chosen to fulfil this task must be appropriate. It is as important (if not more so) as the person chosen to coach each team.

Club Code of Behaviour for Parents/Guardians and Spectators

Children play organised sport for FUN. Most times they don’t care whether they win or not, only that they played well and enjoyed themselves.

• Remember that young people participate in sport for their enjoyment and benefit, not yours.

• Applaud good performances and efforts from all individuals and teams. Congratulate all participants on their performance, regardless of the game’s outcome.

• Respect the decisions of officials and teach young people to do the same.

• Never ridicule or scold a young player for making a mistake. Positive comments are motivational.

• Condemn the use of violence in any form, whether it is by spectators, coaches, officials or players.

• Show respect for your team’s opponents. Without them, there would be no game.

• Encourage players to follow the rules and the officials’ decisions.

• Do not use foul language, sledge or harass players, coaches or officials.

• Respect the rights, dignity and worth of every young person regardless of their gender, ability, cultural background or religion.

• Never berate or ridicule a child for making a mistake. Always be encouraging.
• Applaud good play by both sides.
• Congratulate players regardless of the outcome of a game.
• Always respect the referee’s decision and teach your child to do the same.
• Recognise the value and importance of volunteer officials.
• Always demonstrate appropriate social behaviour.
• Take time to learn the rules of the game to avoid unjustified questioning of official’s calls.
• Do not use foul or abusive language.
• No alcohol, smoking or drugs at or near the games or training.
• If you have any complaints, take it to the coach or club official, out of earshot of the players.
• Don’t confuse players by telling them the opposite to their coach or manager.
• Don’t approach a player while play is in progress. The referee will call on the coach or manager if necessary.

Breaches of this Code of Behaviour could result in disciplinary action being undertaken by the Whitehill Football Committee. This disciplinary action is independent and may be additional to any action taken by QCSA.

Complaints

If you have any complaints or concerns about any situation regarding your team, spectators, the other team, other spectators, the referees or anything else, please contact the club secretary or any club official. The club executive will then discuss the matter and take the appropriate action.