Bargara FC Inc. expects all Parents and Guardians to abide by the Code of Conduct at all times.
- Treat your child the same irrespective of them winning or losing.
- Remember that your child participates in the sport of football for their enjoyment and not yours.
- Have fun when you are around your children at fixtures. This includes both non-competitive and competitive matches. Well-directed humour can be a great de-stressor.
- Behave, calmly and positively on the sidelines.
- Make friends with other parents at competitions.
- Get involved in appropriate ways if your child or the coach behaves in unacceptable ways during competitions.
- Bargara FC implements a policy that while a child is invested in a football related activity supervised by an accredited coach or official these members have the authority to implement appropriate behaviour management strategies to ensure the safety of all children and minimize disruptions to others.
- Understand that children will benefit from a break sometimes and that involvement in other sports is acceptable.
- Be there when your child performs poorly. Be an understanding listener rather than a critic, judge and/or fixer.
- Be prepared to give your child some space so that he/she can grow and develop as an independent person.
- Let your child know that your love for them is not associated with their sporting performances.
- Communicate with your child and ask them how they are really feeling about their sport and about competing in particular.
- Occasionally let your child compete without you being there and hovering over them.
- Emphasise the good things your child did in preparing for and during the competition.
- The inappropriate use of social media (Facebook, Twitter, forums, etc) relating to the club, its members and other clubs / players will not be tolerated.
- Ensure your child is not left unattended prior to, during and after either training or fixtures. Whilst the child is under the supervision of coaches or officials you need to remain on site in the event of injury or behavioural issues.
- Ensure your child safely arrives to or departs from the club for either training or fixtures.
- Show your appreciation of volunteer coaches, officials and administrators. Without them your child could not participate.
- Respect referee and official’s decisions and teach children to do likewise.
If any issues arise the first point of contact is your child’s coach who will refer the matter to the Bargara FC executive or committee. If you feel that this issue has not been resolved in a satisfactory manner further resolution management to be emailed to Bargara FC President (president@bargarafc.org.au).
Parents/Guardians need to understand that if they do not follow the Code, any/all of the following actions may be taken by the Committee or Football Queensland officials. You may:
- Be required to apologise to other parents, the other team and the referee;
- Receive a written formal warning from the club committee or Football Queensland;
- Be suspended from attending matches and training;
- Child’s registration may be cancelled.
Helpful Tips
Try to avoid:
- Saying “we’re competing today” and instead say “you’re competing today”; give your child credit for accepting the responsibility of performing;
- Getting too pushy or believing that you are indispensable, let the coach do the coaching;
- Living through your child’s performances;iii. Avoiding responsibility when your child’s behaviour is unsportsmanlike, inappropriate or unacceptable;
- Telling your child what he/she did wrong after any game or training sessions;
- Engaging in inappropriate, unacceptable or unsportsmanlike conduct against the opposing players, officials, supporters or parents
- Making your child feel guilty by reminding them about all the time, money and sacrifices you are making for his or her sport;
- Thinking of your child’s sporting performances as an investment for which you expect a return;
- Badgering, harassing or use sarcasm to motivate your child;
- Comparing your child’s performances with those of other children; or
- Forcing your child to go to training, if they are sick of training find out why and discuss it with them.