Players’ Code of Conduct

‘The key is not the will to win. Everybody has that. It is the will to prepare to win that is important.’ – Bobby Knight

 Training sessions are an important part of athlete development. The importance of teams training together is paramount to a team’s success. Training is where athletes, develop their skills, learn about commitment, responsibility, and accountability. Training is where coaches and teams develop their team culture and where athletes learn about being valuable teammates.

Players and parents who do not value the importance of training sessions have a negative impact on the rest of their team.

It is important that we instil in our girls the following values:

• PUNCTUALITY – Be on time for your training session (some girls are arriving 20 minutes late)
• RESPONSIBILITY – Warm up properly, so you are prepared for training and reduce the risk of injury
• ACCOUNTABILITY – If you are going to be absent from training or a game, let your coach and the Sports department know
• RESPECT – When your coach is talking to you, listen so that you learn. If your coach asks you to do something, do it, do not tell them “No” or encourage your teammates not to listen or participate. This behaviour is unacceptable.

Now would be a timely reminder to go through the Players’ Code of Conduct with your daughter so that they understand what is expected of them.

• Play by the rules.
• Never argue with an official. If you disagree, have your captain, coach or manager approach the official during a break or after the competition.
• Control your temper. Verbal abuse of officials or other players, deliberately distracting or provoking an opponent is not acceptable or permitted in any sport.
• Work equally hard for yourself and/or for your team. Your team’s performance will benefit, so will you.
• Be a good sport. Applaud all good plays whether they be by your team, opponent, 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.
• Cooperate with your coach, teammates, and opponents. Without them there would be no competition.
• Play for the “fun of it” and not just to please parents and coaches.
• Avoid use of derogatory language based on gender.

If we can instil these behaviours in our girls, it helps them create a safe and nurturing training environment where everyone is valued, respected and confident enough to take risks and learn from them.

Coachable athletes who learn and demonstrate these skills develop strong values that they can transfer to other areas of life as they become adults.

– Lisa Filby
Director of Sport