OCKENDON RHINOS

THE OCKENDON RHINO'S CODE OF CONDUCT.

(This code should be used with The FA Charter book and Parental application form 1)

1.       The F.A. Code of Conduct

2.       Code of Conduct for Managers and Coaches

3.       Code of Conduct for Players

4.       Code of Conduct for Match Officials

5.       Code of Conduct for Team Officials

6.       Complaints Procedure

7.       Declaration to uphold the Code of Conduct.

1.     The FA Code of Conduct

Football is the national game. All those involved with the game at every level, whether as a player, match official, coach, owner or administrator, have a responsibility, above and beyond compliance with the law, to act according 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

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

Participants

Football 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

Football 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

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

Violence

Football rejects the use of violence of any nature by anyone involved in the game.

Fairness

Football is committed to fairness in its dealings with all involved in the game.

Integrity and Fair Play

Football is committed to the principle of playing to win consistent with Fair Play.

2.     Code of Conduct for Managers and Coaches

Managers and Coaches are key to the establishment of ethics in football.  Their concept of ethics and their attitude directly affects the behaviour of players under their supervision.  Managers and Coaches are, therefore, expected to pay particular care to the moral aspect of their conduct.

Managers and Coaches have to be aware that almost all of their everyday decisions and choices of actions, as well as strategic targets, have ethical implications.

It is natural that winning constitutes a basic concern for coaches. This code is not intended to conflict with that.  However, the code calls for managers and coaches to disassociate themselves from a "win-at-all-costs" attitude.

Increased responsibility is requested from coaches involved in coaching young people.  The health, safety, welfare and moral education of young people are a first priority, before the achievement or the reputation of the club, school, manager, coach or parent.

Set out below is The F.A. Coaches Association Code of Conduct (which reflects the standards expressed by the National Coaching Foundation and the National Association of Sports Coaches) which forms the benchmark for all involved in coaching:

1.       Coaches must respect the rights, dignity and worth of each and every person and treat each equally within the context of the sport.

2.       Coaches must place the well-being and safety of each player above all other considerations, including the development of performance.

3.       Coaches must adhere to all guidelines laid down by governing bodies.

4.       Coaches must develop an appropriate working relationship with each player based on mutual trust and respect.

5.       Coaches must not exert undue influence to obtain personal benefit or reward.

6.       Coaches must encourage and guide players to accept responsibility for their own behaviour and performance.

7.       Coaches must ensure that the activities they direct or advocate are appropriate for the age, maturity, experience and ability of players.

8.       Coaches should, at the outset, clarify with the players (and, where appropriate, parents) exactly what is expected of them and also what they are entitled to expect from their coach.

9.       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.

10.     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.

11.     Coaches must consistently display high standards of behaviour and appearance.

12.     Not to use or tolerate inappropriate language.

3.     Code of Conduct for Players

Players are the most important people in the sport. Playing for the team, and for the team to win, is the most fundamental part of the game. But not winning at any cost. Fair Play and respect for all others in the game is fundamentally important.

This Code focuses on players involved in top-class football.

Nevertheless, the key concepts in the Code are valid for players at all levels.

OBLIGATIONS TOWARDS THE GAME

A player should:

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

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

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

4.       Avoid all forms of gamesmanship, and time-wasting.

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

6.       Not use inappropriate language.

OBLIGATIONS TOWARDS OWN TEAM

A player should:

1.       Make every effort consistent with Fair Play and the Laws of the Game to help their own team win.

2.       Resist any influence, which might, or might be seen to, bring into question their commitment to the team winning.

RESPECT FOR THE LAWS OF THE GAME AND COMPETITION RULES 

A player should:

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

2.       Accept success and failure, victory and defeat, equally.

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

RESPECT TOWARDS OPPONENTS

A player should:

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

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

RESPECT TOWARDS THE MATCH OFFICIALS

A player should:

1.       Accept the decisions of the Match Official without protest.

2.       Avoid words or actions which may mislead a Match Official.

3.       Show due respect towards Match Officials.

RESPECT TOWARDS TEAM OFFICIALS

A player should:

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

2.       Show due respect towards the Team Officials of the opposition.

OBLIGATIONS TOWARDS THE SUPPORTERS

A player should:

1.       Show due respect to the interests of supporters.

4.     Code of Conduct for Match Officials

(Referees, Assistant Referees, Fourth Officials and Substitute Referees)

Under the Laws of the Game the decisions of a referee on points of fact connected with the play are final as far as the result of the game is concerned.  A referee also has wide-ranging powers defined in Law 5.

The exercising of such power requires a high level of ethics from Referees and assistant referees (referred to in this Code together as "Referees").

In addition to the quality of refereeing, the behaviour of the referee has an impact, either directly or indirectly, on the conduct of all others involved in the game. Respect for referees and their decisions is a fundamental part of the game. A Code of Conduct for Match Officials is a proper response to those expectations.

While the Code focuses primarily on referees involved in top-class football, with few exceptions the basic ideas are valid for match officials at all levels, be they on the National List, or registered with County Football Associations and only involved in local football.

These Codes are applicable to match officials at all levels of the game.

OBLIGATIONS TOWARDS THE GAME

The referee has a duty to the game in its widest sense. One of those 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:

1.       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.

2.       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 players, team officials or spectators.

3.       Show respect towards players and team officials.

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

5.       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).

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

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

8.       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.

9.       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.

1.       A referee should have regard to protecting the players.

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

3.       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.

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

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

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

5.      Code of Conduct for Team Officials

This Code applies to all team/club officials (although some items may not apply to all officials).

OBLIGATIONS TOWARDS THE GAME

The team official should:

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

2.       Promote and develop their own team having regard to the interest of the players, supporters and reputation of the national game.

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

4.       Avoid all forms of gamesmanship.

5.       Show due respect to Match Officials and others involved in the game.

6.       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.

7.       Not use or tolerate inappropriate language.

OBLIGATION TOWARDS THE TEAM

The team official should:

1.       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.

2.       Give priority to the interests of the team over individual interests.

3.       Resist all illegal or unsporting influences, including banned substances and techniques.

4.       Promote ethical principles.

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

OBLIGATIONS TOWARDS THE SUPPORTERS

The team official should:

1.       Show due respect to the interests of supporters.

RESPECT TOWARDS THE MATCH OFFICIALS

A team official should:

1.       Accept the decisions of the Match Official without protest.

2.       Avoid words or actions which may mislead a Match Official.

3.       Show due respect towards Match Officials.

6.     Complaints Procedure

In the event that any member feels that they have suffered discrimination in any way, or that the Club Policies, Rules or Code of Conduct have been broken they should follow the procedure below.

A)      They should report the matter to the Club Secretary or another member of the Committee.

Your report should include:

1.  Details of what, when, & where the occurrence took place.

2.  Any witness statements & names.

3.  Names of any others who may have been treated in a similar way.

4.  Details of any former complaints made about the incident, date, when & to whom made.

5.  A preference for a solution to the incident.

B)      A disciplinary Committee will sit on hearings if requested.

C)      The Club’s Management Committee will have the power to:

1.  Warn as to future conduct.

2.  Suspend from Membership.

3.  Remove from Membership.

NOTE THE CLUB’S MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE’S DECISION IS FINAL AND NO FURTHER CORRESPONDENCE WILL BE ENTERED INTO

7.     Declaration for Code of Conduct

In accordance with rule 12 of the Club, no player is permitted to play until  the Club Administration Form has been fully completed, signed and returned to the Manager. 

Football Season 2009/2010