Please note that all players at the club over the age of 17 years are a club members. Each parent or guardian whose name is entered on a player registration form becomes a member of the club. The following Rules and Code of Conduct apply to all sections and members of the club and teams (i.e. Junior Non-Competition, Junior Competition, Girls Only, All-Age Men's and Women's, Women's Over 35s; Men's Over 35s;Men's Over 45s; and Men's Over 55s).

​

 

To become a Club member, you must agree that:

​

• All fees due should be paid in a timely manner. If you are not financially sound, you will not be placed in a team nor allowed to play in any games.
   

• Where necessary, you will provide an appropriate Proof of Age, before the first game of the season.
   

• You will abide by the club's Rules and Code of Conduct. The Club will enforce the following Code, which are based on those provided by the Australian Sports Commission and Northern Suburbs Football Association (NSFA).

   

​

For Players

• Never argue with an official. If you disagree, have your captain, coach or manager approach the official during a break or after the competition.  

• Control your temper. Verbal abuse of officials, other players or spectators is unacceptable behaviour.  

• Deliberately distracting or provoking an opponent are not acceptable or permitted behaviours in any sport.  

• Work equally hard for yourself and your team. Your team’s performance will benefit and so will you.  

• Be a good sport. Applaud all good plays whether they are made by your team or the opposition.  

• Treat all participants in your sport as you like to be treated. Do not bully or take unfair advantage of another competitor.  

• Cooperate with your coach, team-mates and opponents. Without them there would be no competition.

• Attend training and games at the designated time. If unable to attend or running late please notify your coach or manager as soon as possible.

• Be ready to start i.e. shoes/boots on, hair tied back if necessary, no jewellery or watches, have nails clipped, and a drink bottle available. Any strapping should already be done.

• Participate for your own enjoyment and benefit, not just to please parents and coaches.  

• Respect the rights, dignity and worth of all participants regardless of their gender, ability, cultural background or religion.  

• Physical violence will not be tolerated under any circumstances.  

• For players 18-years and over, display responsible behaviour in relation to alcohol.

• Wherever practical, avoid unaccompanied and unobserved one-on-one activity (when in a supervisory capacity or where a power imbalance exists) with people under the age of 18.

​

 

For Parents and Spectators

• Remember that children participate in sport for their enjoyment, not yours.  

• Encourage children to participate, do not force them.  

• Focus on the child’s efforts and performance rather than winning or losing.  

• Encourage children always to play according to the rules and settle disagreements without resorting to hostility or violence.  

• Never ridicule or yell at a child for making a mistake or losing a competition.  

• Remember that children learn best by example.  

• Appreciate good performances and skillful plays by all participants.  

• Support all efforts to remove verbal and physical abuse from sporting activities.  

• Respect officials’ decisions and teach children to do likewise.  

• Show appreciation for volunteer coaches, officials and administrators - without them, your child could not participate.  

• Respect the rights, dignity and worth of every young person regardless of their age, gender, race, ability, cultural background, sexuality or religion.  

• Physical violence will not be tolerated under any circumstances

• Ensure your child gets to training on time or advise the team manager if unable to attend or running late.

• Ensure your child is ready to play, such as strapping, as detailed above.

• If staying at the field during practice, please wait in the shelter or away from your child so they are not distracted by your presence.

• Be punctual for pick up after training or a game, as the coach and manager need to get back to their families too.

• Display responsible behaviour in relation to alcohol.

​

​

For Parents Attending Games

• Advise the team Manager, as soon as possible, if your child cannot attend any game.

• Support all team members with encouragement from the sideline, not just your child/ren.

• No coaching from the sideline. There is only one voice and that is the coach directing the players of that team.

• You are not allowed on the field except when tending to an injured player.

• Do not criticise the referee (this could be your child doing so one day).

• Be supportive of the coach – they have to consider the entire team not just one player as a parent usually does.

• You are not allowed to stand behind or near the goals, even though it is very tempting to stand near the younger goalies to give them support. All encouragement for the goalies must be provided from the sideline.

​

​

For Coaches

• Remember that young people participate for pleasure and winning is only part of the fun.  

• Never ridicule or yell at a young player for making a mistake or not coming first.  

• Be reasonable in your demands on players’ time, energy and enthusiasm.  

• Operate within the rules and spirit of your sport and teach your players to do the same.  

• Ensure that the time players spend with you is a positive experience. All young people are deserving of equal attention and opportunities.

• Avoid overplaying the talented players; the just average-skilled players need and deserve equal time.  

• Take appropriate steps to minimise scoring in runaway games - this is really important in the non-competition age groups and the lower divisions of the competition age groups.  

• Ensure that equipment and facilities meet safety standards and are appropriate to the age and ability of all players.  

• Display control, respect and professionalism to all involved with the sport. This includes opponents, coaches, officials, administrators, the media, parents and spectators. Encourage players to do the same.  

• Show concern and caution toward sick and injured players. Follow the advice of a physician when determining whether an injured player is ready to recommence training or competition.  

• Whenever possible obtain appropriate qualifications and keep up to date with the latest coaching practices and the principles of growth and development of young people.  

• Any physical contact with a young person should be appropriate to the situation and necessary for the player’s skill development. 

• Wherever practical, avoid unaccompanied and unobserved one-on-one activity (when in a supervisory capacity or where a power imbalance exists) with people under the age of 18.

• Respect the rights, dignity and worth of every young person regardless of their age, gender, race, ability, cultural background, sexuality or religion.  

• You are not allowed on the field except when tending to an injured player.  

• You are not allowed to stand behind or near the goals, even though it is very tempting to stand near the younger goalies to give them support. All encouragement for the goalies must be provided from the sideline.

​

​

For Officials

• Where permissible, modify rules and regulations to match the skill levels and needs of young people (including sport’s injury management plans and return to play guidelines).  

• Compliment and encourage all participants.  

• Be consistent, objective and courteous when making decisions.  

• Promote respect for all opponents.  

• Emphasise the spirit of the game rather than the errors.  

• Encourage and promote rule changes which will make participation more enjoyable.  

• Be a good sport yourself. Actions speak louder than words.  

• Keep up-to-date with the latest trends in officiating and the principles of growth and development of young people.  

• Remember, that you set an example. Your behaviour and comments should be positive and supportive.  

• Place the safety and welfare of the participants above all else. Do not tolerate abusive, bullying or threatening behaviour.

• Give all young people a ‘fair go’ regardless of their gender, ability, cultural background or religion.

• Wherever practical, avoid unaccompanied and unobserved one-on-one activity (when in a supervisory capacity or where a power imbalance exists) with people under the age of 18.

​

​