CODE OF CONDUCT

CODE OF CONDUCT FOR PLAYERS

Thetford Town FC’s Code of Conduct for Players is based on
Fair Play, Good Citizenship and the Avoidance of Racial Abuse

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

All players of Thetford Town FC are expected:

Not to swear or use inappropriate or abusive language.
To show due respect towards Match Officials, accept their decisions without protest and avoid words or actions which may mislead them.
To show due respect for their opponents at all times, irrespective of the result of the game, and avoid violence and rough play.
To avoid all forms of gamesmanship and time wasting.
To accept success and failure, victory and defeat, equally.
To abide by the instructions of their Coach and Team Officials, provided they do not contradict the spirit of this Code.
To know and abide by the Laws, rules and spirit of the game.
To give maximum effort and strive for the best possible performance during a game, whatever the current status of that game.
To make every effort consistent with Fair Play and the Laws of the Game to help their own team win.
To set a positive example to others, particularly younger players.

CODE OF CONDUCT FOR PARENTS & SPECTATORS

Thetford Town FC’s Code of Conduct for Players
is based on Fair Play, Good Citizenship and the Avoidance of Racial Abuse

Parents and spectators have a great influence on children’s enjoyment and success in football. All children play football because they first and foremost enjoy the game – its fun. But, however good a child/adult becomes at football within the club, it is important to remember that positive encouragement will contribute to:

Children enjoying football.
A sense of personal achievement.
High self-esteem.
Improving the child’s/adult's skills and techniques.

A parent / spectator’s expectations and attitudes have a significant bearing on a child’s/adult attitude towards other players, match officials, managers and spectators.

All parents / spectators of Thetford Town FC are expected:

Not to use foul or abusive language in any circumstances.
To always be positive and encouraging towards all players from both teams (not just their own child or the most talented), in a sensible and constructive manner.
To avoid yelling at or ridiculing a child for making a mistake.
To remember that children play football for their own enjoyment, not for your own entertainment.
To show respect for the Match Officials.
To accept defeat sensibly and with dignity and to encourage the children to do the same.
To avoid coaching the children during the game.
To accept the decisions and instructions of the Coach and other Team Officials - remember, they are volunteers who give up their time and resources to provide football for your children.
To abide by the Laws, rules and spirit of the game of football.
To support all efforts to remove verbal and physical abuse from children's football and to promote this Code of Conduct amongst other Parents and Spectators.

CODE OF CONDUCT FOR COACHES

Thetford Town FC’s Code of Conduct for Players is based on
Fair Play, Good Citizenship and the Avoidance of Racial Abuse.

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. Coaches are, therefore, expected to pay particular care to the moral aspect of their conduct and be aware that almost all of their everyday decisions and choice of actions 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 coaches to disassociate themselves with a “win-at-all-costs” attitude - which is irrefutably associated with gamesmanship, dishonesty and cheating.

There is a clear difference between cheating and "playing hard to win" by all means fair, in conjunction with selecting the strongest team from those players available.

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 and reputation of the club, coach or parent.

The Coaches of Thetford Town FC are expected:

To respect the interests, rights, dignity and worth of each and every player and treat each equally within the context of the sport.
To place the well-being and safety of each player above all other considerations, including the development of performance and the result of the game.
To adhere to all guidelines laid down by governing bodies. to set a positive example to young players and to develop an appropriate working relationship with each player based on mutual trust and respect.
To encourage and guide players to accept responsibility for their own behaviour and performance, (and to never condone unacceptable behaviour by not acting on it).
To ensure that the activities they direct and advocate are appropriate for the age, maturity, experience and ability of players under their supervision.
To clarify, at the outset, with the players exactly what is expected of them and what there are entitled to expect from their coach. to always promote ethical principles and the positive aspects of the sport (e.g. fair play) and never condone behaviour contrary to the spirit of the game.
To give priority to the interests of the team over individual interests.
To consistently display high standards of behaviour and dress, and thereby set a good example for others to follow.
To show due respect to the Referee and other Match Officials, accept their decisions without protest and avoid words or actions which may mislead them.
Not to use or tolerate inappropriate language.
To know and understand the Club's Codes of Conduct, what they demand and to actively promote and support them.