Parent Code of Conduct

NKSL Parent code of conduct: 

1. Help my player to meet all team and club expectations and commitments and ensure that my children attend all scheduled practices and games. If my child is not able to make a scheduled practice or game, we are responsible for contacting the coach or team manager with sufficient advance notice. 

2. Accept the team placement of your player. 

3. Be encouraging, supportive and affirmative in regards to your player’s play on the field. 

4. Avoid the use of tobacco and refrain from being under the influence of alcohol during practices or games. 

5. Be respectful of ALL referees, players, coaches, and spectators. Parents who do not display appropriate behavior on the sidelines WILL be asked and expected to leave the sidelines. 

6. Accept the coach’s decisions during games and practices. If concerns arise and you feel you need to speak to a coach please arrange a time that is not before, during, or right after a practice or game. 

7. Make sure that any family or friends that are attending games with you adhere to NKSL policies in regards to acceptable sideline behavior. 

Zero Tolerance for Referee Abuse.  The purpose of such a policy is: 

1.  To establish an environment that is conducive to good sportsmanship. The game will benefit if respect is shown by and to everyone involved, including referees, coaches, players, parents, and fans. 

2. To establish an environment that is conducive to recruitment and retention of referees. Youth (young) referees are especially vulnerable to improper comments or behavior exhibited by coaches and fans. 

3. To establish a policy that requires referee abuse in any form to be dealt with quickly and convincingly. Appropriate sanctions for improper behavior need to be established and enforced without exception. 

Refer to the following guidelines: 

1. USSF Referee Administrative Handbook – Policy 531-9—Misconduct Toward Game Officials. 

It is expected that everyone involved with NKSL activities will behave in a responsible manner. Please be aware of the following: 

1. Youth soccer is a learning experience and mistakes are made by all involved. 

2. Respect should be shown to all players, coaches, supporters, and officials. 

3. Supporting a team does not give you the right to be rude or abusive. 

4. Please respect the integrity and judgment of the officials and refrain from abusive, inappropriate actions or words. 

5. Please behave in a manner that exhibits class that would never cause NKSL, any players, coaches and families embarrassment. 

6. Failure to follow this policy as outlined above and in the Coaches Code of Conduct will result in referral to the Board of Directors for disciplinary action which can ultimately lead to the removal of the coach from the team. 

Failure to follow the parent's code of conduct will lead to disciplinary action, including but not limited to the following in any order or combination, at the discretion of the NKSL Board:  

• Oral or written warning  

• Suspension or immediate ejection from any NKSL event 

• Suspension from multiple NKSL events  

• Season suspension  

• Permanent termination from some or all NKSL events  

• Notification of and request for support by local law enforcement

Note: No reimbursement of fees will be made due to the dismissal of a player from a game or the club for not adhering to these guidelines.