Code of Conduct

Parents / Guardians should:

  • Be your child’s best fan and support him/her unconditionally.
  • When you take your child home after a match or training session, please be supportive and always focus on the positive aspects of their game.
  • Develop a responsibility in your child to pack their own kit, clean their boots and take a drinks bottle (full of water or squash only) to practise and games.
  • Respect the facilities at our opponents’ grounds.
  • Please remember that the coaches are parents who give up their time voluntarily to run the club and coach your child.
  • Do not criticise your child’s coach to your child or to other parents. If you are not happy with the coach you should raise the issue with the coach and/or Club Chairman at an appropriate time and in an appropriate manner.
  • Encourage your child to speak with the coach. If your child is having difficulties in training or games, encourage him/her to speak directly to the coach. This “responsibility taking” is a big part of becoming a mature person. By handling off-the-field tasks, your child is claiming ownership of all aspects of their game.
  • Help your child to focus on the performance and not the result. Remember — winning is not as important as the performance.
  • Support all the players in your child’s squad. Do not criticise anyone. Please remember — children do not mean to make mistakes.
  • Do not criticise the opponents, their parents or their officials.
  • Never audibly dispute a referee’s decision. They will make mistakes occasionally. We all do. If you abuse or shout at the referee you are breaking the rules of the game.
  • Parents/guardians must not coach from the touchline during matches or training. Leave this to the coach or you may cause confusion and erode your child’s confidence.
  • Parents/guardians must not enter the field of play.
  • Ensure that you or another designated parent or carer is at every home training session/match and away match as the coaches are not responsible for your child during these periods.
  • Advise your coach if you child cannot attend a match or training session. The club fully supports the reasoning that if a child constantly misses training they will not be automatically included in the matches, regardless of their ability (coaches discretion).
  • Please remember — the game is for the children. It is not for the glory of the coach or parents.
  • Please remember that Breech Lane playing field is part of Walton-on-the-Hill Primary School, so therefore dogs, smoking and alcohol are not permitted.
  • Be on time and prepared for matches and training sessions.
  • Respect your own home pitch and your opponents’ football pitches and equipment.
  • Display self–control in all situations. Never use foul or abusive language — before, during or after a game or training session.

Players should:

  • Play according to the laws and spirit of the game.
  • Train and play to the best of your ability, have a positive attitude, and encourage others to do the same.
  • Respect the opposition. Treat them as you would like them to treat you.
  • Respect the referee, and never dispute their decisions. They are only human and they can make mistakes — just like you.
  • Turn up for training and matches in appropriate clothing and clean clothing.
  • Wear the right sort of footwear — football boots.
  • Always wear shin–pads.
  • Never leave the home/away ground unless you are with your own parent(s) or another designated adult.
  • If you wear glasses, please ensure they are the correct safety versions.
  • Clean your own boots/trainers.