Code of Conduct

Resolving Problems

Not everyone will see the same situation in the same light. All parties should remain open minded and flexible when discussing items of concern.

If an issue arises please wait 24 hours prior to pursuing. First attempt to resolve it through the team Head Coach privately in a positive, constructive manner. If the conflict is not resolved to your satisfaction then approach the team Manager. If at this point the conflict remains unresolved contact the Club General Manager. If an equitable resolution is still not found, an appeal can be made to the Board of Directors. Coaches, managers nor the Club will not respond to concerns raised anonymously.

The West Ottawa Soccer Club Code of Conduct establishes a clear set of guidelines for coaches, players and parents/guardians. Its primary goal is to help ensure that soccer is a fun, positive and enjoyable experience.

Our Code of Conduct is based on respect and fair play, defined by four basic principles:

Respect for the rules
Respect for the referees and their decisions
Respect for all participants, including; all players, all coaches, all spectators, and all club officials.
Maintaining self-control at all time

It is a condition of continuing Club membership that all participants understand and follow this Code of Conduct when participating in any Club activity. It is to be followed at all times, by all members.

Players Code of Conduct

I will play soccer because I want to, not because others want me to.
I will play by the rules of soccer, and in the spirit of the game.
I will show respect at all times for all coaches, all referees, all players, all spectators, and all club officials.
I will control my temper. I will not fight or use foul or abusive language or inappropriate gestures.
I will be a team player.
I know that winning isn’t everything – having fun, playing fair, improving my skills, making friends and doing my best are all important.
I will acknowledge all good play – that of my team-mates and of my opponents.
I understand that Coaches are there to coach and not to improve my behaviour. If I am found to be behaving badly, my coach is permitted to remove me from the event. Furthermore, the responsibility of my behaviour outside of team-sanctioned events is not that of team staff but is the responsibility myself, and of my family or guardian.
I will never take part in a practice, game or team event while under the influence of drugs and/or alcohol.
I will not take part in any form of bullying, either to an opposing player or to a player on my team. Bullying in any form, whether in person, electronically (any form of social media) will not be tolerated.

Games & Practices

I recognize that practices are more important than games and games are equally important.
I will arrive at the field before practices and games according to the standards set by my team Coach.
If I cannot make a game or practice, I will notify the team Coach at least 48 hours in advance so that arrangements for substitutes can be made.
I realize that players who attend practices may get priority in the game starting line-up. Starting line-ups are based on several factors including attendance at practices, player’s position, effort, attitude, etc.
I will turn off all electronic devices (cell phones, video games, etc.) before arrival at my practice, game or team event and leave them off until I am finished.
I realize that playing time is not always going to be equal despite my coaches attempt to equalize. In fact some teams (higher level Competitive teams) are permitted to use an “earned playing time” system. At the development and recreation levels, playing time shall be equitable.
I realize playing time is not always going to be equal. Higher level Competitive teams will use an “earned playing time” system. House League and Development ages will be closer to equal but not exactly equal.
I will leave all venues as neat and tidy as I found them and will remove all refuse from my area.

My Uniform

I will take good care of my uniform and wear it only on game days.
I will ensure my jersey is tucked in at all times as required by the laws of the game.
I will wear shin guards, socks, appropriate footwear, and bring my own water bottle to all games and practices.
At practices I will wear approved attire, such as athletic shirt and shorts; as determined by my coach.
I understand that; rolling up my shorts to reduce their size, wearing short tops to expose my midriff, or exposing my bare shoulders is inappropriate soccer attire.
I will abide by the EODSA rules and remove all jewellery for practices and games (except for medically approved bracelets and eye wear).

Discipline

I recognize that the team coach will handle infractions that occur at times other than during a game.
I recognize that infractions that occur during the game are governed by the Laws of the Game and will be decided by the Referee. The result may be a Caution (yellow card) or Dismissal (red card), in which case there may also be further action, including suspensions or fines, by the league discipline committee.
I recognize that certain serious infractions will result in a discipline hearing convened by the Ontario Soccer Association or their delegate, and could lead to a worldwide suspension from soccer, and a fine being levied by the OSA. Payment of the fine is my responsibility.
I am responsible for reimbursing the Club for any and all fines payable by the Club due to my actions or inactions. Failure to pay any fines will result in my suspension from the Club for an indefinite period of time.

If for any reason the Code of Conduct is not followed by the player, any [one or more] of the following steps may be taken by the coach or the Club:

Reduce the playing time of the player; and/or
Suspend the player for some time period
Remove the child from the team.

Coaches Code of Conduct

I will show respect for all players, all teams staff, all officials, and all spectators at all times.
I will work in cooperation with referees for the benefit of the game.
I will remember that players play to have fun and must be encouraged to have confidence in themselves.
I will ensure any questions I direct at officials will be constructive in nature.
I will ensure that all players receive equal instruction and support.
I will provide each player with playing time subject to factors such as attitude, attendance, the weather, fitness levels, positions played, and the needs of the game. In particular, players on recreational teams should receive equal playing time.
I will arrive early and be prepared for games and practices.
I will teach my players to play fairly and to respect the rules, themselves, referees, opponents, and spectators.
I will be selective in the amount of instruction I give players during the game.
I will make sure that equipment and facilities are safe and match the players’ ages and abilities.
I will be reasonable when re-scheduling games and practices, remembering that the players and their families have other obligations.
I will never take part in a practice, game or team event while under the influence of drugs and/or alcohol.
I will obtain proper training and upgrade my coaching skills and knowledge of the game, according to the standards of the OSA and/or the Club.
I will inform parents/guardians of any injuries their son/daughter may have suffered.
I will dress appropriately at all games and practices, so that I present a professional image and can be easily identified.
If I am coaching a team of ages U4 to U10, I will do so following a philosophy of development as determined by the club. For older competitive age groups I agree to creatively blend winning with player development.
For U4 to U10, I will not put aside the development of a player for the benefit of the club, team, any other player or myself.

Discipline

Infractions that occur during the game are governed by the Laws of the Game and will be decided by the referee. There may also be further action by the league discipline committee.
Certain serious infractions may result in a discipline hearing convened by the Ontario Soccer Association or their delegate, and could lead to a worldwide suspension from soccer, and/or a fine being levied by the OSA. Payment of the fine is my responsibility.
I am responsible for reimbursing the Club for any fines payable by the Club due to my actions or inactions. Failure to pay any fines will result in my suspension from the club for an indefinite period of time.

Consequences

If for any reason the Code of Conduct is not followed by the coach, any [one or more] of the following steps may be taken by the Club:

Suspend the coach for some time period
Remove the coach from the team

Parents Code of Conduct

Through submitting the membership application for my child, I have accepted the Terms and Conditions of membership whether I have actually read them or not, and am therefore subject to the Club’s rules, and to the rules and regulations of the organizations to which the Club belongs.
I will be responsible for my child at every practice and game. WOSC is not responsible for unsupervised players.
My child plays soccer for his or her benefit, not mine.
I will not give instructions to players — that is the coach’s role.
I will never question the referee’s judgment, integrity or honesty.
I will support all efforts to eliminate verbal and physical abuse from the game of soccer.
If I am upset by something I will wait 24hrs before discussing the issue with the team coach and will do so in a private and constructive manner.
I will not approach the team Coach prior to or during a session
I will show respect for all players, all coaches, all officials and all spectators at all times
I will teach my child that doing one’s best is as important as winning, so that my child will never feel defeated by the outcome of a game.
I will never take part in a practice, game or team event while under the influence of drugs and/or alcohol.
I will make my child feel like a winner by offering praise for competing fairly and doing their best.
I will encourage my child to play by the rules and to resolve conflicts without resorting to hostility or violence.
Children learn by example. I will applaud good plays by both my child’s team and their opponents.
I will make sure that my child arrives for practices and games at the time designated by the coach, ready to begin.
I will not take part in any form of bullying, whether that be to a parent, player, team coach, referee or club representative. Bullying in any form, whether in person, electronically (any form of social media) will not be tolerated.
I realize that the team can be penalized for my behaviour. I will obey a request by a referee or from the team’s Coach to leave the vicinity of the field.
I will contribute my child’s share of the summer team fees to the team fund by June 15th of the applicable season
I realize that failure to abide by the Code of Conduct may result in my removal of myself, and potentially my child, from the vicinity of the playing field and potentially further sanctions by the club.

Discipline

Infractions that occur during the game are governed by the Laws of the Game and will be decided by the referee. There may also be further action by the league discipline committee.
Certain serious infractions may result in a discipline hearing convened by the Ontario Soccer Association or their delegate, and could lead to a worldwide suspension from soccer, and/or a fine being levied by the OSA. Payment of the fine is my responsibility.
I am responsible for reimbursing the Club for any fines payable by the Club due to my actions or inactions.

Consequences

If for any reason the Code of Conduct is not followed by the parent(s), any [one or more] of the following steps may be taken by the Club:

Request the parent not attend team events
Remove the player from the team