Code of Conduct —
Parents & Guardians

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.
• Try to have fun when you are around your children at competitions. Well-directed humour can be a great de-stressor.
• Look relaxed, calm and positive 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.
• Let the coach do the coaching
• 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 or after either training or fixtures.
• 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.
• Try to avoid:
  1. Saying “we’re competing today” and instead say “you’re competing today”; give your child credit for accepting the responsibility of performing;
  2. Getting too pushy or believing that you are indispensable, let the coach do the coaching;
  3. through your child’s performances;
  4. Turning away when your child performs;
  5. Turning away when your child’s behaviour is unsportsmanlike
  6. Telling your child what he/she did wrong after a tough competition;
  7. Making enemies with your child’s opponents or family during a competition;
  8. Making your child feel guilty by reminding them about all the time, money and sacrifices you are making for his or her sport;
  9. Thinking of your child’s sporting performances as an investment for which you expect a return;
  10. Badgering, harassing or use sarcasm to motivate your child;
  11. Comparing your child’s performances with those of other children; or
  12. Forcing your child to go to training, if they are sick of training find out why and discuss it with them.

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. You may: 

• Be required to apologise to other parents, the other team and the referee
• Receive a written formal warning from the club committee
• Be suspended from attending matches and training
• My child’s registration may be cancelled