Stonington Soccer Club
Code of Conduct
Youth sports should be fun for children. Unfortunately, at times parents, fans and coaches don’t realize that their negative actions, whether verbal or nonverbal, can have a lasting adverse effect on children and their families.
Stonington Soccer Club has adopted the following Code of Conduct for parents and spectators to abide by at every practice or game, whether home or away.
Parents, fans and coaches who follow this simple code can help reinforce what sports are all about…KIDS HAVING FUN!
The essential elements of character building and ethics in sports are embodied in the concept of sportsmanship and six core principles: TRUSTWORTHINESS, RESPECT, RESPONSIBILITY, FAIRNESS, CARING and GOOD CITIZENSHIP.
As a parent or guardian of a registered Stonington Soccer Club player:
I will remember that children participate to have fun and that the game is for youth, not adults.
I will not encourage any behaviors or practices that would endanger the health and well-being of the athletes.
I will teach my child to play by the rules and to resolve conflicts without resorting to hostility or violence.
I will expect my child to treat other players, coaches, officials and spectators with respect regardless of race, creed, color, sex or ability.
I will teach my child that doing one’s best is more important than winning.
I will praise my child for competing fairly, trying hard and I will make my child feel like a winner every time.
I will never use profane, ridiculing, hostile or otherwise unsporting and inappropriate language directed at my child, their teammates and coaches, their game officials, their opponents or the parents and supporters of the opposing team, during any circumstance, ever, regardless of mistakes made or games lost. This applies to both practices and games.
I will emphasize skill development and practices and how they benefit my child over winning.
I will promote the emotional and physical well being of the athletes ahead of any personal desire I may have for my child to win.
I will demand a sports environment for my child that is free from drugs and alcohol. I will refrain from their use at all team events.
I will respect the officials and their authority during games and will never question, discuss tactics or choices or confront coaches at the game field. I will not use profane, ridiculing, hostile or otherwise unsporting and inappropriate language in reference to decisions made by officials and/or coaches during a game.
I (and my guests) will be a positive role model for my child and encourage sportsmanship by showing respect and courtesy, and by demonstrating positive support for all players, coaches, officials and spectators at every game, practice or other team event.
I (and my guests) will never engage in any kind of unsporting conduct with the officials, coaches or players, or parents such as booing and taunting, refusing to shake hands or using profane or hostile language or gestures.
I will refrain from coaching my child and other players during games and practices, unless I am one of the official coaches of the team.
If asked to leave the vicinity of the field by a referee or from the team’s coach I will do so without argument and will not try to return during the game or practice.
I realize that my child’s team can be penalized for my behavior, which could include but is not limited to forfeit of game, disqualification from the season’s league play or disqualification from the single-elimination Connecticut Cup competition.
By registering your child to participate in Stonington Soccer Club, you also agree that if you fail to abide by the aforementioned rules and guidelines, the parent/guardian will be subject to disciplinary action that could include, but is not limited to the following:
Verbal warning by official, head coach and/or Board Members of SSC
Written warning
Parental practice(s and game(s) suspension with written documentation of the incident and kept on file by SSC and Connecticut Junior Soccer Association.
Parental season suspension or longer
Decline of child’s registration to the club temporarily or permanently