
WELCOME TO THETFORD INDEPENDENTS FC
CODE OF CONDUCTS

Code of Conduct for Parents/Spectators
Parents/Spectators have a great influence on children’s enjoyment and success in football. All children play football because they first and foremost love the game – it’s fun. It is important to remember that however good a child becomes at football within your club it is important to reinforce the message to parents/spectators that positive encouragement will contribute to:
1. Children enjoying football.
2. A sense of personal achievement.
3. Self-esteem.
4. Improving the child’s skills and techniques.
A parent’s/spectator’s expectations and attitudes have a significant bearing on a child’s attitude towards:
1. Other players.
2. Officials.
3. Managers.
4. Spectators.
Ensure that parents/spectators within your club are always positive and encouraging towards all of the children not just their own.
Encourage parents/spectators to:
1. Applaud the opposition as well as your own team.
2. Avoid coaching the child during the game.
3. Not to shout and scream.
4. Respect the referee’s decision.
5. Give attention to each of the children involved in football not just the most talented.
6. Give encouragement to everyone to participate in football.
Ensure that parents/spectators within your club agree and adhere to your club’s Code of Conduct and Child Protection Policy.
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.
Coaches have to be aware that almost all of their everyday decisions and choices of actions, as well as strategic targets, 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 from a “win-at-all-costs” attitude.
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 or the reputations of the club, school, coach or parent.
Code of Conduct for Players
Players are the most important people in the sport. Playing for the team, and for the team to win, is the most fundamental part of the game. But not winning at any cost – Fair Play and respect for all others in the game is fundamentally important.
This Code focuses on players involved in top-class football. Nevertheless, the key concepts in the Code are valid for players at all levels.
Obligations towards the game
A player should
Obligations towards one’s own team
A player should
Respect for the Laws of the Game and competition rules
A player should
1. Know and abide by the Laws, rules and spirit of the game, and the competition rules.
2. Accept success and failure, victory and defeat, equally.
3. Resist any temptation to take banned substances or use banned techniques.
Respect towards Opponents
A player should
1. Treat opponents with due respect at all times, irrespective of the result of the game.
2. Safeguard the physical fitness of opponents, avoid violence and rough play, and help injured opponents.
Respect towards the Match Officials
A player should
1. Accept the decision of the Match Official without protest.
2. Avoid words or actions, which may mislead a Match Official.
3. Show due respect towards Match Officials.
Respect towards Team Officials
A player should
1. Abide by the instructions of their Coach and Team Officials, provided they do not contradict the spirit of this Code.
2. Show due respect towards the Team Officials of the opposition.
Obligations towards the Supporters
A player should:
1. Show due respect to the interests of supporters.
Recognise the importance of team mangers and coaches. They give their time, energy and resources free to provide help and guidance for you children