Code of Conduct

We’re here for football, friendship, and a good Saturday. That only works if everyone — on the pitch and on the touchline — behaves like it.

Players

Do

• Learn and follow the laws of the game
• Listen to your coaches
• Accept decisions from coaches and match officials
• Play skilfully, play to win, and enjoy it
• Be a modest winner and gracious in defeat
• Praise good play — from teammates and opponents
• Keep your temper
• Arrive in good time for training and matches
• Be polite to everyone
• Practise and improve your techniques

Don’t

• Argue with coaches, referees or assistant referees
• Appeal endlessly for decisions
• Lose self-control or retaliate
• Play unfairly
• Overreact when we score
• Abuse or intimidate teammates or opponents
• Time-waste, swear, or spit at anyone

Adults (parents, carers, spectators)

Do

• Follow the FA’s Respect campaign
• Praise more than you criticise — coaches as well as players
• Applaud skilful play on both teams
• Put skilful play first, winning second
• Praise good behaviour and attitude
• Be patient and consistent — you’re a role model
• Help children understand the rules
• Respect coaches’ and officials’ decisions
• Remember every ability deserves a chance to play
• Get stuck in where you can — the club runs on volunteers

Don’t

• Cross Respect lines or gather behind the goals
• Over-coach or manipulate players from the touchline
• Shout, scream or swear
• Argue with coaches, officials or other parents
• Threaten or use violence
• Use sarcasm
• Challenge every decision
• Ignore or put down the players who need support most
• Judge players by what they can’t do yet
• Encourage unfair play
• Send a child to training or a match when they’re unwell

Questions? Talk to your coach, or raise a concern via Club Welfare.