Perrin Youth Sports Association Code of Ethics
The Perrin Youth Sports Association strives to develop youth athletes to effectively and respectfully continue sports participation at a secondary level in Junior High and High School. As such, we have developed the following rules and expectations in accordance with the Perrin-Whitt CISD Athletic Handbook.
To Parents: Parents should strive to help their child to achieve their potential by seeing that the student is on time, attends practices and games, and follows rules and regulations. As your child becomes involved in interscholastic athletics, they will experience some of the most rewarding moments of their lives. It’s important to understand there may be times when things do not go the way you or your child wishes. These are times discussion with the coach is encouraged.
Appropriate concerns to discuss with a coach:
1. The mental and physical treatment of your child.
2. What your child needs to do to improve.
3. Concerns about your child’s behavior.
Coaches’ make decisions based on what they believe is in the best interests of all students participating. As you can see from the list above, certain things can and should be discussed with your child’s coach. Other things, such as those listed next, must be left at the discretion of the coach.
Issues NOT appropriate for discussion with your child’s coach:
1. Team strategy.
2. Play calling.
3. Any situation that deals with other student-athletes.
There are situations that may require a conference between the coach and parent. These are not discouraged, as it is important for each party to have a clear understanding of the others position. When these conferences are necessary, the following procedure is suggested to help promote resolution to the issues.
If a parent has a concern to discuss with the coach, the following procedure should be followed:
1. Call the coach to set up an appointment.
2. If the coach cannot be reached, call the PYSA Commissioner to discuss and ask to set up a meeting with the coach for you.
3. Do not confront the coach before, during, or after a practice or contest. These can be emotional times for both the parent and coach. Meetings of this do not promote resolution of the situation, but often escalate it. It is the role of the PYSA to make rules that govern the spirit of competition for the school. These rules need a broad basis of community support, which is achieved only through communication to the parent. It is our hope to accomplish this objective through this athletic handbook for students and parents.
CODE OF CONDUCT FOR ATHLETES Being a member of the athletic team is the fulfillment of an early ambition for many students. The attainment of this goal carries with it certain traditions and responsibilities that must be maintained. A great athletic tradition is not built overnight: it takes hard of many people over many years. As a member of sports team, you have inherited a wonderful tradition, a tradition you are challenged to uphold. We desire to win, but only with honor to our athletes and our community.
RESPONSIBILITIES TO YOURSELF: the most important of these responsibilities are to broaden you and develop strength of character. Athletics should take a back seat to your education. You owe it to yourself to do well during your athletic experiences. Your academic studies, your participation in other extracurricular activities, as well as all sports, prepare you for your life as an adult.
REPSONSIBILITIES TO OTHERS: when you know in your heart that you have lived up to all the training rules, that you have practice to the best of your ability every day, and that you have played the game “ALL OUT,” you can keep your self-respect and your family can be proud of you. Remember other students are watching you; they will copy you in many ways. Do not do anything to let them down; set good examples for the other students.
CODE OF CONDUCT FOR THE PARENTS We believe that athletic competition should demonstrate high standards of ethics and sportsmanship and promote the development of good character and other important life skills. We also believe that the highest potential of sports is achieved when participants are committed to pursuing victory with honor.
TRUSTWORTHINESS Trustworthiness-be worthy of trust in all you do.
INTEGRITY live up to high ideals of ethics and sportsmanship; do what’s right even when it’s unpopular or personally costly.
HONESTY live and act honorable; don’t allow your children to lie, cheat, steal or engage in any other dishonest or un-sportsman like conduct.
RELIABILITY fulfill commitments; do what you say you will do; be on time; when you tell your children you will attend an event, be sure to do so.
RESPECT treat people with respect all the time and require the same of your children
CLASS live and cheer with class; be gracious in victory and accept defeat with dignity; compliment extraordinary performances; and show respect for all competitors
DISRESPECTFUL CONDUCT don’t engage in disrespectful conduct of any sort including profanity, obscene gestures, offensive remarks, trash-talking, taunting, boastful celebrations, or other actions that demean individuals or the sport.
RESPECT OFFICIALS treat contest officials with respect; don’t complain about or argue with official calls or decisions during or after an athletic event.
RESPECT COACHES treat coaches with respect at all times recognize that they have team goals beyond those of your child. Don’t shout instructions to players from the stands; let the coach’s coach.
ROLE MODELING consistently exhibit good character and conduct yourself as a role model for you children.
SELF-CONTROL exercise self-control; don’t fight or show excessive displays of anger or frustration; have the strength to overcome the temptation to demean others.
FAIRNESS be fair, treat all competitors fairly; be open-minded; always be willing to listen and learn.
ENCOURAGEMENT encourage your children regardless of their play; offer positive reinforcement. Demonstrate sincere interest in your child’s play.
CONCERN FOR OTHERS demonstrate concern for others; never encourage the injury of any player, officials or fellow spectators.
EMPATHY consider the needs and desires of your child’s teammates in addition to your own; help promote the team concept by encouraging all team members, understanding that the coach is responsible for determining playing time.
BEHAVIOR EXPECTATIONS OF SPECTATORS Remember that you are at the contest to support and yell for your team, and to enjoy the skill and competition, not to ridicule the other team or its fans. Remember that school athletics are learning experience for students and that mistakes are sometimes made. Praise student-athletes in their attempt to improve themselves as students, as athletes, and as people, just as you would praise a student working in the classroom. Show respect for the opposing players, coaches, and spectators and support groups. Respect the integrity and judgement of game officials. Understand that they are doing their best to help promote the student-athlete, and admire their willingness to participate in full view of the public. Recognize and show appreciation for an outstanding play by either team. Refrain from the use of any controlled substances (alcohol, drug, etc.) before, during, and after the game on or near the site of the event. Use only cheers that support and uplift the teams involved. Be positive role model at events through your own actions and by censuring those around you whose behavior is unbecoming. Parents and spectators should be aware that the PYSA can (and should) remove them from the premises and can prohibit them from attending future contest due to undesirable behaviors. Parents and spectators will receive a warning after one incident and further incidents may result in attendance privilege revocation from PYSA events for a period of time determined by the PYSA board.
CODE OF CONDUCT FOR COACHES
DEMONSTRATE FAIRNESS Remember that this is a youth sports association in which parents have paid tuition for children to play. All children should receive equal playing time.
FULFILL COMMITMENTS While your duty as a coach is voluntary, you are required to show up on time for practices and games or to make appropriate arrangements as needed.
POSITIVE ATTITUDE In youth sports, we want children to develop a passion for the sport they play and to have a desire to continue playing. Your attitude and disposition greatly impacts the children on your team.
COMMUNICATE Communication with parents, Commissioners, and others is vital to the success and morale of your team. Be sure you give timely communication regarding practices, schedules, equipment needs, etc.
SELF CONTROL While it is not uncommon to disagree with an official and it is your duty to advocate for your team, you are expected to conduct yourself in a professional manner free of yelling, name-calling, and profanity.
BEHAVIOR EXPECATIONS As a volunteer coach of children, you are expected to conduct yourself in a respectful manner and to arrive at events free of the influence of illegal substances or alcohol. You should refrain from using profanity in the presence of athletes and parents.
See by-laws for procedure for removal of coaches in the event of inappropriate behavior.