SPORT FOR
HOPE ACADEMY

1 Coaches & Team Leaders

Code of Conduct Guidelines

1. Positive Leadership & Integrity: Lead by example by demonstrating emotional control, respect, punctuality, and fair play at all times. Example: Congratulating the opposing coach and match officials after a tough loss rather than walking off the field or complaining about referee calls.
2. Player Well-Being & Safety: Prioritize physical safety and psychological health over winning games. Example: Immediately pulling a player off the field when they show signs of an injury, extreme fatigue, or concussion, regardless of the score or time remaining.
3. Punctuality & Time Management: Strictly adhere to and enforce all schedule times communicated by the Super Sport Board, league officers, and team leaders. Example: Arriving 15 minutes before the scheduled start time to set up equipment so practice starts exactly on time.
4. Focused Instruction & Device Management: Model focused engagement by avoiding non-essential mobile phone usage during training sessions and matches. Example: Keeping mobile phones put away during practice unless using a specific training app, timing tool, or handling an emergency.
5. Constructive Communication: Use positive reinforcement; refrain from shouting angrily, insulting, or intimidating players. Example: Saying, “Great effort getting to that ball! Next time, try keeping your ankle locked when passing,” instead of yelling, “What was that terrible pass?”
6. Zero Substance Tolerance: Never attend practices, games, or team events under the influence of, or in possession of, alcohol, drugs, or illegal substances. Example: Refraining from consuming alcohol during team hotel stays, post-match team dinners, or gatherings where youth players are present.

Sanctions for Leaders

• First Offense (Minor): Official written warning placed on permanent file and a mandatory review meeting with the Super Sport Board.
• Second Offense (Moderate): Suspension from coaching for 1–3 matches, mandatory coaching ethics re-training, and formal probation status.
• Severe Offense (Substance abuse, physical/verbal abuse, major misconduct): Immediate suspension pending formal board investigation, leading up to permanent termination of coaching duties, and reporting to governing bodies.

2 Youth Players

Code of Conduct Guidelines

1. Punctuality & Respect for Schedule: Respect and strictly adhere to all meeting, practice, and match arrival times communicated by the Super Sport Board/coaches/team leaders. Example: Arriving fully dressed in required gear 15 minutes prior to practice start time, so the session begins without delay.
2. Mobile Device Prohibition: The use of mobile phones and smart devices is strictly prohibited during practice sessions, team meetings, and games, unless explicitly authorized by the coach or training leader for emergency or instructional purposes. Example: Placing mobile phones in bags on silent before step-on time and keeping them away until the coach formally concludes practice.
3. Sportsmanship & Fair Play: Play hard, adhere strictly to the rules of soccer, and treat all participants with dignity. Example: Helping an opposing player up after a fair tackle and shaking hands with opponents and match officials after every match.
4. Teammate Support & Anti-Bullying: Encourage fellow teammates and maintain an inclusive, bullying-free team atmosphere. Example: Cheering on a teammate who made a mistake by saying “Unlucky, great effort!” rather than rolling eyes, sighing, or criticizing them on the bench.
5. Respect for Match Officials: Accept referee calls politely without arguing or showing visual frustration. Example: Retrieving the ball promptly and handing it to the opponent when called for a foul, rather than throwing the ball down or arguing.
6. Zero Substance Policy: Complete prohibition of alcohol, drugs, vape/nicotine devices, or illicit substances. Example: Never bringing vaping equipment, alcohol, or unauthorized controlled substances to practices, locker rooms, or tournament hotel trips.

Sanctions for Players

• First Offense (Minor – e.g., unauthorized phone use, minor tardiness): Verbal warning from the coach, temporary confiscation of phone until the end of the session, and benching for a portion of the session/match; the coach can determine a sanction to discourage breaking the rules.
• Second Offense (Moderate – e.g., repeated device use, unexcused absence/lateness): 1-match suspension from competition and a mandatory parent-player-coach conference prior to returning to play.
• Severe Offense (Substance violation, fighting, intentional harm): Immediate ejection from the match/facility, a minimum 3-match suspension, and potential full-season dismissal following board review.

3 Parents, Guardians & Spectators

Code of Conduct Guidelines

1. Timeliness & Logistics: Respect communicated schedules by ensuring players arrive and are picked up promptly at the times designated by the Super Sport Board and coaching staff. Example: Dropping off players 15 minutes before practice and being at the field ready for pick-up as soon as practice ends.
2. Positive Spectating & Encouragement: Cheer positively for all athletes on the field and maintain an upbeat atmosphere. Example: Shouting “Great hustle!” or “Good effort!” rather than criticizing a player’s mistake or shouting negatively at opponents.
3. Let Coaches Coach & Referees Officiate: Do not yell tactical instructions to players or confront match officials. Example: Refraining from shouting “Shoot!” or “Pass!” so players can learn decision-making, and respecting referee calls from the sideline.
4. The 24-Hour Cool-Down Rule: Observe a 24-hour waiting period before discussing concerns regarding playing time or tactics with coaches. Example: Sending a polite email on Monday evening to request a conversation about playing time rather than confronting the coach on the pitch right after Sunday’s match.
5. Substance-Free Sidelines: Strict compliance with alcohol, drug, and tobacco/vape prohibitions on facility grounds. Example: Refraining from bringing open containers of alcohol, smoking, or vaping anywhere near spectator sidelines, bleachers, or park facilities during youth matches.

Sanctions for Parents & Spectators

• First Offense (Minor): Official verbal warning issued by the Field Marshal, Referee, or Team Manager.
• Second Offense (Moderate): Immediate ejection from the sideline/venue and a 1-week ban from attending all team practices and matches.
• Severe Offense (Substance violation, verbal harassment, physical threats): Immediate removal by facility security/local authorities, revocation of spectator privileges, and a full-season venue ban.

4 Disciplinary Enforcement & Appeals

1. Incident Reporting: Incidents may be reported in writing by match officials, coaches, field marshals, or club members within 48 hours of an incident.
2. Review Process: The Super Sport Disciplinary Board will review the incident report, interview involved parties, and determine appropriate sanctions.
3. Appeals: Written appeals may be submitted to the Super Sport Board within 5 business days of receiving a sanction notice.