The Gungahlin Junior Jets - helping stamp out the ugliness in sport

ACT JUNIOR AFL CODE OF CONDUCT

PARENTS/SPECTATORS

Junior Australian Football would not be possible without the willing commitment of many volunteer officials and parents. We encourage our players to participate with positive enthusiasm, encouraging at all times true sportsmanship and participation within the spirit of the game. Your support is an important element of the game and has a distinct influence on the way the game is played.

Parents and spectators should:

• Understand that this team sport is an important physical and character development opportunity for your children. Your positive support will provide the environment in which to achieve these benefits
• Always support your child and both teams in a positive manner
• Encourage players to participate, do not force them; remember many gifted young sportspeople have dropped out due to those close to them pushing too hard for success
• Never abuse the players, team officials or other supporters - applaud good play by players of both teams. Discourage racial abuse
• Never ridicule mistakes or losses
• Do not sledge or abuse the umpires
• Set a good example and encourage players to follow the rules and observe umpires/officials decisions
• Be positive with your child after the match - win lose or draw
• Realise that bad behaviour on your part can lead to bad behaviour and violence on the field
• Condemn the use of violence in any form whether by spectators, coaches, officials or players
• Recognise the value and importance of volunteer coaches; without them your child could not participate
• Remember that young people play sport for their enjoyment, not yours
• Keep winning in perspective; and
• Not live their frustrations through their child.

The following has been taken from an American article on Pushy Parents that complements above.

Are You A Pushy Sports Parent?
It is easy to become an overzealous sports parent

Most parents like to encourage their children to excel in sports, but it's easy to get caught up in the excitement of games and practices, and become overzealous. Research has shown that athletes of all ages improve more with positive reinforcement than with negative criticism. In fact, 85 percent of athletes will improve if you work with them in a positive way, and give them compliments for achievement and specific information they can use to work on skills. Be on the lookout for these warning signs that you've crossed the line:

• You focus on the outcome of the game.
• During games, you shout negative, critical remarks at your child, other children, the coaches or the referees.
• You talk to the coach a lot about the way he coaches the game and what positions each of the children are playing.
• You get in game-related arguments with other parents.
• Your child no longer enjoys playing the sport and maybe has even asked you to stop coming to the games.
• You constantly compare your child's skills to others.
• You punish or act coldly toward your children if they don't perform up to your expectations.
• You force your children to practice at home until you think they've shown significant improvement.
• You're more concerned about the team winning than if your child had fun participating.
• You push your child with the hopes of getting an athletic scholarship, or have aspirations of your child having a pro sports career.

Notice a common factor here? However there is some correcting guidance:

Becoming a Model Sports Parent

Whether you fit the description of a "pushy parent" or not consider the following traits of a model youth sports parent:

• thinks of the playing field as a classroom and respects it;
• makes only positive, encouraging comments to the players on both teams;
• remembers that making mistakes is part of the learning process; doesn't criticize;
• discusses any concerns away from the players and, in particular, away from his child;
• respects the officials;
• focuses on fun and participation rather than winning and losing;
• asks his child if he had fun, and why or why not;
• controls her emotions; · gets interested in his child's sport;
• learns the rules of his child's sport;
• makes every effort to get his child to practice on time;
• reinforces the coach's instructions when practicing with his child at home;
• knows that positive reinforcement is the key to improvement;
• doesn't undermine team morale;
• lets the coach know if his child will be missing a practice or game;
• picks his child up promptly after practices and games;
• refrains from tobacco or alcohol use at all youth sports events; and
• participates in team activities.

PLAYERS

Junior Australian Football is your game and you are its most important participant. All associated with the code wish to reinforce the values of sportsmanship, character development, individual and team skills, development of friendships and so many other benefits associated with our game.

We encourage our Players to:

• Enjoy the game and learn
• Appreciate the values of sportsmanship and remember this is a team sport
• Shake hands with opposition players and officials before and after the game
• Appreciate that winning at all costs defeats the purpose of junior football. Play for "the fun of it"
• Avoid bad language and bad sportsmanship at all times
• Understand that the umpire is there to help you to enjoy the game, to ensure it is played within the rules and with the spirit intended. Help the umpire, don't confront!
• Never argue with an official - if you disagree discuss the matter with your coach or manager after the match
• Treat all players as you would like to be treated
• Co-operate with your coach, team-mates and opponents. Without them there would be no competition
• Stay cool - verbal abuse or racial or religious vilification of other players, or provoking an opponent is not acceptable.

COACHES AND TEACHERS

Junior Australian Football is a team sport focused on development opportunities for today's youth. You have responsibility for supporting, encouraging, training and directing your players within the spirit of the game. Our code is one of sportsmanship, individual and team skills, and character development. Your part is crucial to the achievement of these aims. It is your responsibility to provide a safe and enjoyable environment in which our players can achieve their individual and team objectives.

Coaches and Teachers should:

• Achieve a suitable level of coaching standard and always focus on players' personal and skills development
• Develop players' respect for the rules and umpires and ensure they conduct themselves fairly
• Set a good example for our players
• Do not tolerate lack of sportsmanship, particularly bad language and violent behaviour
• Be positive to your players and treat them equally and with respect
• Develop respect in your players for the opposition players and team management
• Focus on the average players as well as those of talent
• Never ridicule or yell at a player or the team for making mistakes or losing the game
• Be reasonable in your demands on young players' time, enthusiasm and energy
• Keep winning in perspective: maximise players' participation because children participate for fun and enjoyment
• Stress safety always: ensure that equipment and facilities are safe and appropriate to age and ability levels
• Recognise the importance of injury: seek and follow the physician's advice concerning the return of injured players to training.

ADMINISTRATORS/MANAGERS

Junior Australian Football will largely be conducted within the environment you establish; you and other support personnel have special responsibility to project and protect the values of our game. You have a role to encourage and support the players and coach of your team consistent with these values. You have an important part to play to ensure the game is played within a well administered and professional environment.

Administrators and Managers should:

• Ensure equal participation for all players, regardless of ability, size, shape, age, disability or ethnic origin
• Involve your players in the leadership, planning, decision making and evaluation activities; whenever possible involve young people to assist in your duties
• Ensure that adequate supervision is provided by qualified and competent coaches and officials capable of developing skills and appropriate behaviour
• Ensure that parents, coaches sponsors and participants understand their respective responsibilities and codes of conduct
• Be positive with the players after the match - win lose or draw
• Promote respect for opponents: condemn unsporting behaviour
• Be committed to keeping yourself informed of sound administrative principles and the values of growth and development of players and the game in general
• Remember that players participate for enjoyment, skill and character development - not just to win or for other rewards.