Sacred Heart Soccer Code of Conduct

The Archdiocese of Baltimore Soccer Program (ABSP) operates under the auspices of the Archdiocese of Baltimore, Division of Youth and Young Adult Ministry.  As such, we have a high expectation for the proper conduct of all parish coordinators, coaches, players, parents, and spectators participating in the program.

Catholic parish oriented youth soccer programs share common goals:

• To promote the physical, moral, spiritual, mental, social, and emotional well-being of our youth participants.
• To stress the highest ideals of ethical conduct, sportsmanship, and fair play.
• To show courtesy and respect to all visiting teams and referees.
• To encourage the development of leadership, initiative, and good judgment in all team members.
• To be gracious in defeat and modest in victory.

Coordinators:

• Shall participate fully as members of ABSP.
• Shall know, follow, and enforce all ABSP rules and guidelines.
• Shall choose coaches wisely and provide appropriate training to ensure their knowledge of the game and ability to coach youth.
• Shall obtain volunteer covenants.
• Shall ensure distribution of the ABSP Code of Conduct to all coaches, players, and parents.
• Shall ensure emphasis and enforcement of the Code of Conduct.

Coaches:

• Shall know and abide by all ABSP rules and guidelines, as well as FIFA soccer rules.
• Shall be ever mindful of the responsibility for the impact he/she has on each youthful player before, during, and after each practice and game.
• Shall place the diverse emotional and physical wellbeing of each player ahead of any personal desire to win.
• Shall be a positive influence and demonstrate by example fair play and good sportsmanship to players, other coaches, parents, and referees.
• Shall balance fun and discipline according to ages and ability level of players.
• Shall provide each player with the opportunity to reach his/her maximum potential.
• Shall be a representative of the Archdiocese of Baltimore and act accordingly. Shall not engage in any conduct that is prejudicial to or reflects discredit upon the Archdiocese of Baltimore.
• Shall establish a cordial and friendly relationship between host and visiting teams.
• Shall obtain the referees' names before the game starts. Shall show respect for the integrity and judgment calls of referees.
• Shall not, under any circumstance, verbally abuse or harass referees or enter the field of play without the referee's permission.
• Shall control the actions of players and spectators to ensure that they do not, under any circumstance, verbally abuse or harass referees or other players and shall take immediate steps to remedy any actual or perceived infraction.
• Shall remain calm at all times and shall not use any foul, abusive, or loud language and shall not approach referees, players, or other coaches in a threatening manner.
• Shall ensure under all circumstances, that the end of game handshake is done so with true good sportsmanship and shall take immediate steps to remedy (e.g. player apology) any actual or perceived poor sportsmanship.
• Shall inform coordinator and use the preprinted conduct and referee evaluation postcards to report conduct problems and referee performance. The referee evaluation postcards or letters are the only acceptable means for venting any frustrations over actual or perceived referee performance.

Players:

• Shall have fun and enjoy the game and team experience.
• Shall attend practice, listen, and learn.
• Shall treat all teammates, coaches, opponents, parents, and referees with respect and shall not be critical of referees, players, or coaches.
• Shall remember that as representatives of the Archdiocese of Baltimore, you are to act properly at all times.
• Shall know and adhere to the rules of the game.
• Shall be a positive support to teammates.
• Shall display self-control at all times and shall not use profanity or approach any player, coach, or referee in a threatening manner.
• Shall exhibit good sportsmanship; be gracious in defeat, and modest in victory.
• Shall always shake hands properly with the opposing players at the conclusion of each game.

Parents and other Spectators:

• Shall be respectful of the emotional and physical well-being and development of the youth participants.
• Shall allow the coach to coach the game and refrain from directing players in the field.
• Shall maintain a positive sideline demeanor, provide encouragement to all the players, and shall be a good and responsible spectator and influence your child by example.
• Shall control your emotions and provide only positive comments to players, referees, and parents or coaches of either team.
• Shall address your concerns in the proper venue and time in a respectful and controlled manner.
• Shall be mindful that referees have been trained in soccer rules and often make "objective" judgment calls.
• Shall show respect for the integrity and judgment calls of referees.
• Shall not, under any circumstance, verbally abuse or harass referees or players, and shall not enter the field of play without the referee's permission.
• Shall remain calm at all times; shall not use any foul, abusive, or loud language; and shall not approach referees, players, coaches, or spectators in a threatening manner.
• Shall not dispute referee calls.
• Shall immediately adhere to any direction given by a coach or referee to cease any "poor conduct" or to remove yourself as a spectator.

Coordinators and coaches will vigorously enforce the Archdiocese of Baltimore Code of Conduct and take swift and appropriate action (e.g. suspension/termination of participation) for any infractions. The ABSP Board of Directors reserves the right to impose sanctions if, in the judgment of the Board, a parish soccer program remedial action is deemed inadequate.