St Martins Football Club - Code of Conduct

Code of Conduct

Football is a national game. All those involved at the game at every level, weather as a player, match official, coach, owner or administrator, have a responsibility, above and beyond compliance with the law, to act accordingly to the highest standards of integrity, and to ensure that the reputation of the game is, and remains, high. This code applies to all those involved in football under the auspices of The Football Association.

Community

Football, at all levels, is a vital part of a community. Football will take into account community feeling when making decisions.

Equality

St Martins FC is opposed to discrimination of any form and will promote measures to prevent it, in whatever form, from being expressed.

Participants

St Martins FC 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. Football is committed to appropriate consultation.

Young People

St Martins FC acknowledges that public confidence demands the highest standards of financial and administrative behaviour within the game, and will not tolerate corruption or improper practices.

Trust and Respect

St Martins will uphold a relationship of trust and respect between all involved in the game, whether they are individuals, clubs or other organisations.

Violence

St Martins FC rejects the use of violence of any nature by people involved in the game.

Integrity and Fair Play

St Martins FC is committed to the principle of to win consistent with fair play.

St Martins Football Club - Coaches Code of Conduct

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, parent) exactly what is expected of them and also what they are entitled to expect from their coach.

Coaches must co-operate fully with other specialists (e.g. other coaches, officials, sports scientists, doctors, and 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.

Coaches must not use or tolerate inappropriate language.

St Martins Football Club - Players Code of Conduct

A Player should:

Make every effort to develop his own sporting abilities, in terms of skill, technique, tactics and stamina.

Give maximum effort and strive for the best possible performance during a game, even if his team is in a position where the desired result has already been achieved.

Set a positive example for others, particularly young players and supporters.

Avoid all forms of gamesmanship, and time wasting.

Always have regard to the best interest of the game, including where publicly expressing an opinion on the game and any particular aspect of it, including others involved in the game.

Not use inappropriate language.

Obligation towards own team

A player should;

Make every effort consistent with fair play and the Laws of the game to help his own team win.

Resist any influence that might, or might seem to, bring into question his commitment to the team winning.

Respect for the Laws of the game and competition rules.

A Player should;

Know and abide by the laws, rules and spirit of the game, and the competition rules.

Accept success and failure, victory and defeat, equally.

Resist any temptation to take banned substances or use banned techniques.

Respect towards opponents

A player should;

Treat opponents with due respect at all times, irrespective of the result of the game.

Safeguard the physical fitness of opponents, avoid violence and rough play, and help injured opponents.

Respect towards the Match Officials

A player should;

Accept the decisions of the Match Official without protest.

Avoid words or actions that may mislead a Match Official.

Show due respect towards Match Officials.

Respect towards Team Officials

A player should;

Abide by the instructions of his Coach and Team Officials, provided they do not contradict the spirit of this code.

Show due respect towards the Team Officials of the Opposition.

Obligation towards the supporters

A player should;

Show due respect to the interests of the supporters.

St Martins Football Club - Code of Conduct for Match Officialls Representing St Martins Football Club

Obligations towards the game

The referee has a duty to the game in its widest sense. One of the duties is to help the game to keep moving, compatible with Fair Play, and to seek to ensure it is attractive and is not subject to unnecessary halts.

The referee should;

Make every effort to prepare fully for a match, both physically and mentally. On a physical level, a referee must be able to keep up with the speed of the modern game, and be alert and close enough to take correct decisions from credible locations on the field of play.

Not be afraid to take decisions; a referee should be fair and firm and must resist any possible influence from protests on the part of the players, team officials or spectators.

Show respect towards players and team officials.

Be honest and completely impartial at all times, irrespective of the teams, players or team officials involved on then match.

Decline to be appointed to a match if not completely physically or mentally fit to referee that match ( because of illness, injury, or for family or other reasons).

Inform the Football Association and/or Count Association and/or league or competition directly responsible if unable to referee a team or teams for any reason.

Refrain from requesting hospitality of any kind, or accepting any hospitality offered and considered to be excessive.

Always have regard to the best interests of the game, including where publicly expressing an opinion on the game or any particular aspect of it, including others involved in the game.

Not tolerate inappropriate language from players and/or officials.

Obligations towards the players

The powers of a referee must be used with wise judgement and care. Authority and a firm approach must be combined with respect.

A referee should have regard to protecting the players.

A referee should show due respect when speaking with the players, even in the event of infringements.

In reports, a referee should set out the true facts and not attempt to justify any decisions.

Obligations towards fellow officials

It is necessary for the referee’s authority to be protected, not only for the sake of the game, but also in the interest of fellow referees, assistant referees, fourth officials and substitute referees. This protection should , however, not influence the over riding regard for protection of the players.

A referee should refrain from publicly expressing any criticism of fellow referees, assistant referees or other match officials.

A referee should assist with the development of less experienced referees and assistant referees.

An assistant referee should give his total support to the referee, but without undue interference or insistence.

St Martins Football Club - Code of Conduct for Club Officials

This Code applies to all team/club officials representing St Martins FC

(Although some items may not apply to all officials)

Obligations towards the game

The team official should:

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 national game.

Share knowledge and experience when invited to do so, taking into account the interest of the body that has requested this rather than personal interest.

Avoid all forms of gamesmanship – Not use or tolerate inappropriate language.

Show due respect to all 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.

Obligations towards the team

The team official should;

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 unsporting influences, including banned substances and techniques.

Promote ethical principles.

Show due respect to the interests of players, coaches and other officials, at his own club/team and others.