CODES OF CONDUCT

Gisborne Rookies Junior Football Club Code of Ethics

Coaches, officials and parents by example of behaviour, hold an enormous influence over the youth of the community. The good conduct of all adult participants and teams is considered mandatory for the privilege of participation. The club seeks to implant in the youth of the community, ideas of good sportsmanship, honesty, loyalty and courage, so they may be finer, stronger and happier youths who will grow to be good healthy adults.

This objective will be pursued by providing fully supervised football games upon the basis that the attainment of exceptional skill and the winning of games is secondary in the moulding of future citizens.

  • Consumption of alcohol is strictly prohibited at any venue while under age football is being conducted.
  • Players, spectators and officials should ensure that both on and off field behaviour is consistent with the principles of good sportsmanship. Therefore:
    • Swearing or abuse by either club officials, players or spectators is not permissible at any time.
    • Disputing umpire's decisions or behaving in an aggressive manner toward them is unacceptable. If there is a genuine concern, there are appropriate channels of communication in place.
    • Aggressive behaviour and abuse toward opposition players, coaches, club officials or spectators is likewise unacceptable.

RDFL Players' Code of Conduct

  • Play for the 'fun of it' and not just to please parents and coaches
  • Play by the rules
  • Never argue with an official. If you disagree, have your captain or coach approach the official during a break or after the game
  • Control your temper. Verbal abuse of officials or other players, deliberately fouling or provoking an opponent and throwing equipment is not acceptable or permitted in any sport
  • Work equally hard for yourself and your team. Your team's performance will benefit, so will you
  • Be a good sport. Cheer all good plays whether they are by your team or the other team
  • Treat all players as you would like to be treated. Do not interfere with, bully or take unfair advantage of another player
  • Co-operate with your coach, team-mates and opponents - without them there would be no game
  • at all times show respect and manners to every one concerned

Gisborne Rookies Junior Football Club Spectators' Code of Conduct

  • Remember that children play organised sports for their own fun. They are not there to entertain you and they are NOT miniature pro-athletes
  • Be on your best behaviour. Don't use profane language or harass players, coaches or officials
  • Applaud good plays by your team and the opposition team
  • Show respect for the opposition team - without them there would be no game
  • Never ridicule or scold a child for making a mistake during a game
  • Condemn the use of violence in all forms
  • Respect the officials' decisions
  • Encourage players always to play according to the rules

Gisborne Rookies Junior Football Club Parents' Code of Conduct

  • Do not force an unwilling child to participate in sports
  • Remember children are involved in organised sports for their enjoyment, not yours
  • Encourage your child always to play by the rules
  • Teach your child that honest effort is as important as victory, so that the result of each game is accepted without undue disappointment
  • Turn defeats into victory by helping your child to work towards skill improvement and good sportsmanship. Never ridicule or yell at your child for making a mistake or losing a contest.
  • Remember that children learn best by example. Applaud good plays by your team and by members of the opposing team.
  • Do not publicly question the officials' judgement and never their honesty
  • Lead by example and respect all Players, Coaches, Umpires, Officials, Members and Spectators. Physical or verbal abuse will not be tolerated
  • Support all efforts to remove verbal and physical abuse from children's sporting activities.
  • Recognise the value and importance of volunteer coaches. They give up their time and resources to provide recreational activities for your child

Gisborne Rookies Junior Football Club Coaches' Code of Conduct

  • Be reasonable in your demands on young players' time, energy and enthusiasm. Remember that they have other interests
  • Teach your players that rules of the game are mutual agreements, which no one should evade or break
  • Group players according to their age, height, skill and physical maturity whenever possible
  • Avoid over playing the talented players. The 'just average' players need and deserve equal time, if not more
  • Remember that children play for fun and enjoyment and that winning is only part of it. Never ridicule or yell at the children for making a mistake or losing a contest
  • Ensure that equipment and facilities meet safety standards and are appropriate to the age and ability of the players. The scheduling and length of practice times and games should take into consideration the maturity level of the children
  • Remember that children need a coach they can respect. Be generous with your praise when it is deserved and set a good example
  • Make a personal commitment to keep yourself informed on sound coaching principles of growth and development of children

Gisborne Rookies Racial & Religious Tolerance Policy

The Gisborne Rookies Junior Football Club is committed to an environment which promotes racial and religious tolerance by prohibiting certain conduct and providing a means of redress for victims of racial and religious vilification and/or racial discrimination. An outline of what is considered to be racial and/or religious vilification and/or discrimination is contained below. 

Racial and Religious Vilification

  • No player, spectator or team official shall behave in a way that humiliates, intimidates, ridicules, incites, threatens, vilifies or insults another person because of that person's race, religion, colour or because they come from another country.
    • To vilify someone is to speak ill of them.
    • The behaviour may be in the form of name-calling, general abusive language or talking about someone behind their back.

Serious Racial and Religious Vilification

  • No player, spectator or team official shall intentionally behave in a way that is likely to incite hatred against another person, or threaten physical harm or incite hatred in others to cause physical harm to a person or to a person's property because of that person's race, religion, colour or because they come from another country.
    • i.e: it is wrong to stir up other people and turn them against an individual because of the individual's race, religion, colour or because they come from another country.

Racial and Religious Discrimination

  • No player, spectator or team official shall behave in a way that discriminates, directly or indirectly against another person on the basis of that person's race, religion, colour or because they come from another country.
    • Discrimination means treating another person less favourably or unfairly.