PLAYER’S CODE OF CONDUCT
I will respect my teammates. I will support my teammates in their best moments and their worst. I will build them up and help them become better players because I know that our team succeeds when we all do well.
I will respect my opponents. I know that, though we are competitors in this game, we are friends off the fields and courts. I will cheer for my team, not against my opponent. I will play in the spirit of friendly competition, always striving to win but never at the expense of injury or insult to another player. I will be respectful of parents and spectators who support the opposing team and will not engage in any negative discussion with them. At home games, they are my guests. When my team is away, I am their guest.
I will respect my coaches. I will listen to them at practice and in games. I will arrive on time to team events or I will let them know that I cannot attend. I will not talk back to my coaches and will try to follow their instructions at all times.
I will respect officials. I will accept the decisions of officials without dispute. I know that without officials, I cannot play the game. I know that officials are not targeting me or my team when the call does not go our way. I will accept the calls they make with a positive attitude and try to understand why the call was made so that I can play better next time. I will not use abusive language or profanity, make humiliating remarks or gestures of ill temper.
I will respect myself. Even if opposing players or spectators violate the rules of hospitality and good sportsmanship, I am responsible for my own behavior. I will give everything I can in every practice and every game. I will come to team events with a positive attitude. I will try to learn, try to win, and try to have fun.
PARENT & GUARDIAN CODE OF CONDUCT
I will respect the players and their supporters. I know that the game is about the athletes on the field or court, not about me. I will always seek to emphasize the positive with all players, especially my own. I will cheer for my player’s team, never against the opponent. I will be respectful of parents and spectators who support the opposing team and will not engage in any negative discussion with them. At home games, they are my guests. When my team is away, I am their guest.
I will respect the coaches. I will respectfully communicate with coaches about any issues stemming from my player’s participation in the sport. When an issue arises, I will allow a cooling off period before approaching a coach with feedback. I know that the coaches are volunteers who make it possible for my player and other players to learn and play. I will never heckle a coach on any team. I will keep coaches informed of times when my player is unavailable, and I will be prompt in my drop off and pick up times from practices and games.
I will respect officials. I know that the only thing a parent or spectator should ever say to a referee is “thank you.” I will never heckle an official. I will do my best to deescalate tense situations. I will not use abusive language or profanity, make humiliating remarks or gestures of ill temper.
I will respect the league and its representatives. I know that the league makes it possible for my player to participate in the sport. I will do my best to meet deadlines and not to make unreasonable requests of the league, especially at the last minute. I will respect that league officials have families and cannot field questions at all times. I know that game time is not the appropriate time to address concerns with league representatives. I will communicate respectfully via email whenever possible.
I will respect the facilities. I know that we are guests in all facilities. I will supervise my children at all times, even while a sibling is playing a game. I will abide by health and safety regulations laid down by the facilities.
I am responsible for any spectators I bring to any game or practice. I will ensure that they abide by the code of conduct.
COACH’S CODE OF CONDUCT
I am responsible for my players. I know that the game is about the players, and I will do my best to teach them and to give them time and space to practice their skills in and out of competition. I will encourage them to practice at home. I will not tolerate fighting, bullying, or disparaging of teammates or opponents. At all times, I will seek to emphasize and balance the goals of learning, having fun, and winning. I want to win, and my team wants to win, but I will not allow it to come at the expense of an opponent’s safety or dignity.
I will respect opponents, both players and coaches. I will not speak to opposing players during competition. I will speak calmly and respectfully when I am addressing opposing coaches. I will cheer for my team, not against opponents. I will be respectful of parents and spectators who support the opposing team and will not engage in any negative discussion with them. At home games, they are my guests. When my team is away, I am their guest.
I will respect officials. I know that officials are human and that they make mistakes. When a call needs to be addressed with the referee, I will allow the head coach only to address the referee. I will not heckle referees or unduly escalate tense situations. I will not use abusive language or profanity, make humiliating remarks or gestures of ill temper.
I will respect the Swarthmore Recreation Association and its representatives. I know that the SRA makes it possible for my team to participate in the sport. I will do my best to meet deadlines and not to make unreasonable requests of SRA especially at the last minute. I will respect that SRA officials have families and cannot field questions at all times. I know that game time is not the appropriate time to address concerns with SRA representatives. I will communicate respectfully via email whenever possible.
DISCIPLINARY ACTION
Failure to abide by the Code of Conduct may result in one or more of the following:
- Verbal or written warning
- Single or multiple game suspension
- Expulsion from SRA
Disciplinary decisions are made by the SRA Board in consultation with the advisory boards of each sport and are final.
SRA PLEDGE
I trust me teammates and coaches.
I love this game and value good sportsmanship.
I will play fair and strive to win.
But, win or lose, I will do my best and have fun.
Updated 2022.08.25