AFC STOCKPORT – CODE OF CONDUCT The code of conducts for all those involved within the club are as follows: YOUNG PLAYERS CODE OF CONDUCT When playing football, I will • Always uphold the good name of AFC Stockport. • Always play to the best of my ability and for the benefit of my team. • Play fairly – I won’t cheat. • Respect my team-mates, the other team, the referee or my coach/manager. • Play by the rules, as directed by the referee. • Be gracious in victory and defeat – I will shake hands with the other team and referee at the end of the game. • Listen and respond to what my coach/team manager tells me. • Understand that a coach must do what is best for the team and not one individual player. • Talk to someone I trust or the club welfare officer if I’m unhappy about anything at my club. • Parents / carers agree to photographs and videos to be taken of players throughout the season and give permission for these to be used on the club website, social media, and marketing campaigns. • Parents / carers agree to the clubs Membership Terms & Conditions. I understand that if I do not follow the code, any/all of the following actions may be taken by my club, County FA to the FA. I may • Be required to apologise to my team-mates, the other team, referee or team manager. • Receive a formal warning from the coach/manager or the club committee. • Be dropped or substituted. • Be suspended from training / games. • Be required to leave the club. In addition: • My club, County FA or The FA may make my parent or carer aware of any infringements of the Code of Conduct • The FA/County FA could impose a fine and suspension against my club. My parents or guardians will be responsible for paying this fine. ADULT PLAYERS CODE OF CONDUCT On and off the field, I will • Adhere to the Laws of The Game • Display and promote high standards of behaviour. • Promote Fair Play • Always respect the match official decisions • Never engage in public criticism of the match officials • Never engage in offensive, insulting or abusive language or behaviour • Never engage in bullying, intimidation or harassment • Speak to my team-mates, the opposition and my coach/manager with respect. • Win or lose with dignity. Shake hands with the opposing team and the referee at the end of every game. • I agree to photographs and videos taken of me throughout the season and give permission for these to be used on the club website, social media and marketing campaigns. • I agree to the clubs Membership Terms & Conditions. I understand that if I do not follow the Code, any/all of the following actions may be taken: I may: • Be required to apologise to team-mates, the other team, referee or team manager. • Receive a warning from the coach/manager. • Receive a written warning from the club committee. • Be required to attend an FA education course. • Be dropped or substituted. • Be suspended from training / games. • Not be selected for the team. • Be required to serve a suspension. • Be fined. • Be required to leave the club. In addition: • The FA/County FA could impose a fine and/or suspension on the club. I will be responsible for paying any fine. SPECTATORS CODE OF CONDUCT I will: • Remember that children play for FUN. • Applaud effort and good play as well as success. • Respect the Referee’s decisions even when you don’t agree with them. • Appreciate good play from whatever team it comes from. • Remain behind the touchline and within the Designated Spectators’ Area. • Let the coach/manager do their job and not confuse the players by telling them what to do. • Encourage the players to respect the opposition, referee and match officials. • Support positively and offer players encouragement not criticism. • Never engage in, or tolerate offensive, insulting or abusive language or behaviour • Support the club’s philosophy. I understand that if I do not follow the Code, any/all of the following actions may be taken: • Issued with a verbal warning from a club or league official. • Required to meet with the club, league or CFA Welfare Officer • Required to meet with the club committee. • Obliged to undertake an FA education course. • Obliged to leave the match venue by the club. • Requested by the club not to attend future games. • Suspended or have my club membership removed. • Required to leave the club along with any dependents. In addition: • The FA/County FA could impose a fine and/or suspension on the club. I will be responsible for the payment of any fines. COACHES, TEAM MANAGERS & CLUB OFFICIALS CODE OF CONDUCT On and off the field, I will • Use my position to set a positive example for the young people I am responsible for • Show respect to others involved in the game including match officials, opposition players, coaches, managers, officials and spectators. • Adhere to the laws and spirit of the game. • Promote Fair Play and high standards of behaviour. • Respect the match official’s decision. • Never enter the field of play without the referee’s permission. • Never engage in, or tolerate, offensive, insulting or abusive language or behaviour. • Be gracious in victory and defeat. When working with players, I will: • Place the well-being, safety and enjoyment of each player above everything, including winning. • Never engage in or tolerate any form of bullying. • Encourage each player to accept responsibility for their own behaviour and performance. • Ensure all activities I organise are appropriate for the players’ ability level, age and maturity. • Co-operate fully with others in football (e.g., officials, doctors, physiotherapists, welfare officers) for each player’s best interests. I understand that if I do not follow the Code, any/all of the following actions may be taken by my club, County FA or the FA: I may be: • Required to meet with the club, league or County Welfare Officer • Suspended by the club from attending matches. • Suspended or fined by the County FA • Required to leave or be sacked by the club. In addition: • My FA Coaching Licence may be withdrawn. CLUB CODE OF CONDUCT 1. To always act in the best interests of the players. 2. To act within the guidelines stipulated by the Football Association. 3. To act within the guidelines stipulated by League that the players are entered. 4. To observe an equal opportunities policy for the players concerned. 5. To ensure that players are not discriminated against because of race or sex. 6. To ensure that safety guidelines are observed, paying particular attention to goal post safety. 7. To observe Child Protection policies. 8. To ensure that all expenditure from Club funds is made in the best interest of the players concerned. 9. To strive to provide the best training facilities for the players according to Club funds. 10. To safeguard the assets of the Club i.e., all Club equipment. AFC Stockport Membership Terms & Conditions can be found at www.afcstockport.co.uk