Code of Conduct Policies
Our organization strives to make football and cheerleading a great experience for all participants in our program. In order to accomplish this goal, the cooperation, participation and support of everyone is needed. The purpose of our conduct policy is to establish and promote a positive environment whereby participants, parents, staff and coaches may have the most enjoyable experience possible.

Please observe and follow these general conduct guidelines:

1. Remember who the participants are. Please remember, that these are young children, not professional athletes. They are playing to have fun and learn. Please encourage them by applauding both their successes and failures. Always discourage bad conduct. Above all, encourage everyone's good sportsmanship. Let's make this a positive and fun experience for all involved. WIN OR LOSE!

2. Please appreciate the efforts of all of our volunteers. No one in this organization holds a paid position. We are all volunteers, and we dedicate our time, effort, and resources for the sake of the children and the community. Remember, without our volunteers, this program would not be possible.
Participant Code of Conduct
1. Participants must maintain academic standards of a “C” average or better. This rule is mandated by the American Youth Football Conference. The team scholastics coordinator will be monitoring participant progress reports throughout the season, and will notify parents when problems arise.

2. The use of profanity, sexually explicit language, racially insensitive or obscene gestures will result in disciplinary actions, which may include suspension (1 game) or expulsion from the team.

3. Fighting of any kind during practices or games will result in immediate suspension (1 game). Repeat offenses will result in permanent expulsion from the team.

4. Players must remain with their team/coaches during practice/game time. At no time during games are children allowed to venture off from their teams or coaches. Children must always notify a coach or team official when leaving before the end of practice or games. This is a safety measure to ensure that all players are accounted for at all times. If you know in advance that your child will need to leave a practice or a game early, please give appropriate notice to your child’s coach or team mom.

5. Insubordinate or disrespectful conduct towards coaches, team officials, volunteers, parents, or guests will not be tolerated and may result in immediate suspension (1 game) or dismissal from the team upon repeat offenses.

6. Poor sportsmanship of any kind will not be tolerated! We are to show humility and respect when we are victorious, and show grace and honor when we lose. We will always line up and shake our opponent’s hands after games no matter the outcome or final score.

7. There will be no eating during practices or games. Only the consumption of water or Gatorade, Allsport, etc will be allowed during games and practices. Candy and gum are also forbidden during games and practices.

8. Jewelry items such as necklaces, chains, or bracelets, earrings and hand rings will not be allowed during practices or games. Watches will be permitted.

DISCIPINARY ACTIONS

A participant may be asked to leave practices early for severe incidents (i.e. fighting, profanity, or insubordination). Minor incidents could result in a coach having the player sit out all or part of a practice. Repeated or more serious incidents could result in disciplinary actions that may require a suspension or the expulsion of the participant from the team. The coaching staff will promptly and confidentially communicate all disciplinary problems and subsequent courses of actions to parents. Parents have the right to appeal any disciplinary actions by requesting a hearing with the director of coaching.
Parent Code of Conduct
Parents are an invaluable asset to our organization. Without them, community-based youth sports, would not be possible. As such, it is imperative that all coaches, parents, and team administrators establish a healthy, cooperative relationship and work together to ensure that our program operates in the best interest of the kids. Parents, coaches, and staff must communicate with mutual respect, even in times of conflict and disagreement. Both parents and coaches reserve the right to avoid or postpone hostile or aggressive interactions until all parties are able to conduct themselves in a rational and civil manner. Hostile and aggressive interactions between adults have no place in front of children, especially in youth sports. Youth sports are meant to be a fun and enjoyable experience. Let’s do our part as adults to keep it that way.

The rules below apply to parents and their guests:

1. Please remember that children participate to have fun and that the game is for youths, not adults.

2. Parents/guardians (and their guests) should strive to be positive role models for their children and encourage good sportsmanship by showing respect and courtesy towards all players, coaches, officials, and spectators at games and practices. Unsportsmanlike conduct such as booing, taunting, refusing to shake hands, or using profane language or gestures will not be tolerated.

3. Parents are to avoid questioning, criticizing, or arguing with coaches or team officials in front of players. If a problem or potential concern arises, parents should make every effort to speak to the coach or team administrator away from the presence of the players.

4. Parents are encouraged to inform coaches about problems that may be going on with their child. If your child is sick, taking medication, or going through some emotional trauma, please inform your child’s coach.

5. Parents/guardians (and their guests) are not to use any tobacco products, alcohol, or illegal drugs on the practice or game fields. Parents who engage in this form of behavior may be asked to leave the event (1st warning). Repeated offenses of this nature will result in the adult, and possibly their child, being banned from any remaining league events for a period of 1 year from the date of the incident.

6. Parents/guardians (and their guests) should avoid encouraging any behaviors or practices that would endanger the health and well being of the participants and opponents.

7. Parents are to be respectful of coaches’ and team administrators’ availability by contacting them only at specified times. Please try to avoid calling coaches and administrators during regular business hours, or extremely early or late hours of the day, unless explicitly given permission to do so.

8. Parents are to refrain from coaching their own children at practices and during games unless they are officially on the coaching staff. It is a major distraction to the participating children as well as the coaches when this occurs, and often times results in conflicting signals in regards to which players are expected to listen to during games. The individuals that coach the players throughout the week should be the only ones coaching the kids on game day. If parents have the urge to coach, they are encouraged to formally sign up.

9. Please notify the association of any change in contact information such as change of address or phone number.

PENALTIES FOR PARENT RULE VIOLATIONS

Parents who violate these rules will be subject to the following penalties:
1st Violation: Official warning or possible suspension
2nd Violation: Asked to leave practice, game, or team event
3rd Violation: The adult will be barred from all league events for a period of 1 year from the date of the infraction. If necessary, the offender’s child may also be dismissed from the program for that same time period.
Staff code of conduct
1. Coaches and staff are to conduct themselves in a respectable and professional manner at all times.

2. Coaches and staff are to display good sportsmanship and respect towards officials and opposing coaches and players.

3. Coaches and staff should always be civil and respectful towards parents/guardians and their guests.

4. Coaches and staff should never use profanity or inappropriate language in the presence of children or parents.

5. Coaches and staff are to allow all players to play the required number of plays as mandated by the Northcoast Youth Football Conference.

6. Coaches and staff are never to physically discipline players. There is to be no demonstrative or aggressive grabbing of face masks, jerseys, shoulder pads, etc. Violation of this rule can result in suspension or termination.

7. Coaches and staff should never berate kids or maliciously call them out of their names. In addition, coaches should never degrade a participant’s talent or ability in public or in private. Coaches are to critique effort and work ethic, not talent or ability.

8. Coaches and staff should treat all players the same and show admiration and compassion to all participants, regardless of their talent level, ability, or personality.

9. Coaches and staff are to never deny participants access to restrooms, water breaks, or first aid treatment during practices or games.

10. Coaches and staff are to refrain from the use of alcohol and illegal drugs on or near the practice or game field.

11. Coaches and staff are to adhere to practice schedules and are expected to arrive at practices and games on time and as scheduled. Coaches are to avoid deliberately keeping players after practices have officially ended.

12. Coaches and staff are not to allow ineligible players to participate in practices or games.

13. Coaches and staff are not to discuss participant information (football or personal) with anyone other than that child’s parent or guardian.

Parents: If you observe or suspect that a coach or staff member is in violation of any of the above rules, please inform the director of coaching (see grievances).

PENALTIES FOR COACHING RULE VIOLATIONS

Coaches violating these rules are subject to the following penalties:
1st Violation: Official warning or possible suspension
2nd Violation: Suspension for one game
3rd Violation: Dismissal from team