Southwest Jackson Soccer League

Parents’ Code of Conduct

Youth sports are supposed to be constructive, rewarding and fun for the players.
Unfortunately, many parents, fans, and coaches don’t realize that their actions can have a
lasting emotional effect on children. Too many children are leaving sports activities
because adults unfairly take the fun away. That is why the Southwest Jackson Soccer
League (SWJSL),has adopted the following Code of Conduct for parents and
spectators to abide by at every game.

The essential elements of character building and ethics in sports are embodied in
the concept of sportsmanship and these core principles: respect, responsibility, fairness,
caring, and good sportsmanship.

Parents therefore agree to:

1. Not force a player to participate in soccer.
2. Remember that players participate to have fun and that the game is for
players, not adults.
3. Inform the coach of any physical disability or ailment that may affect the
safety of my player or the safety of others.
4. Refrain from coaching my player or other players during games and
practices from the sideline, unless I am designated as one of the official coaches of the
team.
5. Be a positive role model for my player and encourage sportsmanship by
showing respect and courtesy, and by demonstrating positive support for all players,
coaches, officials and spectators at every SWJSL event and will never ridicule or yell at
any player for making a mistake or losing a competition.
6. Not engage in any kind of unsportsmanlike conduct with any official,
coach, player, or parent such as booing and taunting, or using profane language or
gestures.
7. Teach my player to play by the rules and to resolve conflicts without
resorting to hostility or violence and will not encourage any behaviors or practices that
would endanger the health and well being of any of the players.
8. See that my player treats other players, coaches, officials and spectators
with respect regardless of race, creed, color, sex, or ability.
9. Teach my player that doing one’s best is more important than winning, so
that my player will never feel defeated by the outcome of a game or his/her performance
and praise them for their effort.
10. Emphasize skill development and practices and how they benefit my
player over winning.
11. De-emphasize games and competition in the lower age groups.
12. Provide a sports environment for my player that is free from drugs,
tobacco, and alcohol and refrain from their use at every SWJSL event.
13. Learn the rules of the game and the policies of SWJSL and MYSA.
14.Respect the officials and their authority during games and will never
question, discuss, or confront coaches at the game field, and will take time to speak with
coaches at an agreed upon time and place.
15. Not entering the playing field unless directed by coaches or game officials.
16. Abide by the aforementioned rules and guidelines and if they fail to abide
by the rules and guidelines that they shall be subject to disciplinary action that could
include, but is not limited to, the following:
(a) Verbal warning by an official, head coach, and/or President of SWJSL or
MYSA;
(b) Written warning;
(c) Probation with written documentation of the incident kept on file with
SWJSL;
(d) Game(s) suspension with written documentation of the incident kept on file
with SWJSL;
(e) Season suspension with written documentation of the incident kept on file
with SWJSL; or
(f) Such other action as the Disciplinary Committee shall determine in necessary
and/or proper with written documentation of the incident kept on file with
SWJSL.