Codes of Conduct:

NCYSA CODE OF CONDUCT

The NCYSA Code of Conduct must be read and understood by all Officers, Administrators, Coaches, Assistant Coaches, Managers, Parents, and Players of each NCYSA member Association. Coaches and Managers should review this material with their players and parents at their initial team meeting. Players and parents added to the team after those dates, should be schooled in the document(s) as soon as possible. The Code of Conduct has been prepared as a guide to the principles and expectations of NCYSA and is intended to apply to everyone involved in NCYSA activities regardless of their role or affiliation. Adherence to the spirit as well as the letter of the Code is required. Persons unwilling to abide by the Code of Conduct should reconsider their involvement in NCYSA activities.

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2A - Principles and Expectations 1) NCYSA believes in the principles of fair play, ethical behavior and the right of every individual to fully enjoy the sport of soccer without undue interference from others. 2) NCYSA recognizes that participation in competitive activities is a source of strong feelings which will often lead to misunderstandings, disagreements and other conflicts. However, NCYSA also believes that every participant has a duty to respect the right of competitors to hold conflicting views. 3) NCYSA therefore expects its coaches, players, Referees and spectators, as well as their friends and families to deal with conflicts in a spirit of good sportsmanship and to cooperate in promoting the enjoyment of soccer to the greatest extent possible. 4) NCYSA expects adherence to the spirit, the letter of its Rules and the Laws of the Game. Unfair, rowdy, violent, illegal, dangerous and/or unsportsmanlike behavior, racial discrimination will not be tolerated, whether on the field of play or away from the playing area. 5) NCYSA expects all participants to show respect for opponents, regardless of their skill. Since NCYSA activities usually involve children from a very young age and since children are influenced by the behavior of adults, adult participants will be held to the very highest standards of conduct.

2B – Unacceptable Conduct 1) Vulgarity by coaches, players, or spectators directed towards anyone. 2) Harassment of referees, coaches or players by anyone. 3) Debasement of or misconduct towards referees, coaches, or player by anyone. 4) Physical violence or the threat of violence directed toward anyone or encouraged by anyone. 5) Verbal or physical assault on a Referee. Physical assault is defined as any physical contact initiated by a player, coach, team official, spectator, elected officer, or appointed official. 6) Consumption of alcoholic beverages in and around the player area before, during or after a youth match, in addition to adherence to local venue rules and regulations. 7) Use of illegal drugs under any circumstance.

2C – Coaches Coaches are responsible for their own conduct, as well as the conduct of their Assistant Coaches, Players, Team Managers, and Spectators. Fact: Did you know as a coach, you can be cautioned or sent off for the conduct of your spectators, as well as having the match abandoned and/or terminated? The behavior of the coach is the role model for player and spectator behavior. The coach can exert strong player and spectator control by the example he/she sets, and by a few words of caution directed to the appropriate place when necessary.

2D – Parents Parents (and all adults/spectators) can have a tremendous influence on the children as they play the game of soccer. The role of the parent/spectator is to positively support their child and all players, with minimal negative impact. Yelling or screaming directed toward any individual – player, opponent, referee or other spectators will not be tolerated! Please set a proper example for your child, by asking Revised 7/2017 NCYSA Discipline and Appeals Manual 6 the question: “Is this the type of behavior I would exhibit anywhere else?” If the answer is “no”, then you probably shouldn’t be doing it at a youth sporting event. Fact: Did you know that you can receive the same sanctions as a coach or player for inappropriate behavior? As an adult, you would be held to a higher standard!

2E – Referees As NCYSA expects and supports good conduct from its players, coaches and spectators, we also expect Referees to use their authority in a fair and honorable way, to maintain acceptable conduct on the sidelines, as well as on the field, and follow US Soccer’s Code of Ethics. Indiscriminate red cards (or ejections) should not be the standard, nor should repeated, idle threats of ejection. However, Referees are expected to use their authority without hesitation when necessary to maintain order at matches. NCYSA supports the authority of a Referee to dismiss any coach, player or spectator from the area of the match for failure to comply with the NCYSA Code of Conduct and/or the Laws of the Game, and to terminate the match, if necessary. Referees are expected, whenever possibly, to advise coaches of any unacceptable conduct and to give the coach an opportunity to correct the situation before taking other corrective action. NCYSA maintains the Referee’s report of the match (match report and subsequent send off reports) are deemed accurate. D&A will use those reports, and solicit additional information (if needed) to determine sanctions for incidents. It is imperative that Referees send their reports as soon as possible through the appropriate online channels. Referees shown to have misused their authority will be held in violation and reported to the State Referee Committee Chairman for possible sanctions.

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