WSEU Code Of Conduct - Parents And Spectators

Parental evaluation carries a great deal of weight with our children. The attitude’s shown by parents at games towards their child, the opposing team, the officials and the coach influence the child’s values and behaviours in sports. Criticism, disrespect for officials and opponents by over-anxious or over-protective parents focused on immediate success, rather than the long-range benefits undermines the purpose of sport and brings into the game stresses which adolescents cannot cope with effectively.

Therefore, all WSEU members should:

1. Maintain and enhance the dignity and self-esteem of WYSA members and other individuals by:

• Demonstrating respect to individuals regardless of body type, physical characteristics, athletic ability, gender, ancestry, colour, ethnic or racial origin, nationality, national origin, sexual orientation, age, marital status, religion, religious belief, political belief, disability or economic status
• Focusing comments or criticism appropriately and avoiding public criticism of athletes, coaches, officials, organizers, volunteers, employees and members
• Consistently demonstrating the spirit of sportsmanship, sport leadership and ethical conduct
• Acting, when appropriate, to prevent or correct practices that are discriminatory
• Consistently treating individuals fairly and reasonably
• Ensuring adherence to the rules of soccer and the spirit of those rules

2. Refraining from any behavior that constitutes harassment, where harassment is defined as comment or conduct directed towards an individual or group, which is offensive, abusive, racist, homophobic, sexist, degrading, or malicious. Types of behavior that constitute harassment include but are not limited to:

• Written or verbal abuse, threats, put-downs, name-calling, slurs or outbursts
• The display of visual material which is offensive or which one ought to know is offensive in the circumstances
• Unwelcome remarks, jokes, comments, innuendo or taunts
• Leering or other suggestive or obscene gestures
• Condescending or patronizing behavior which is intended to undermine self-esteem, diminish performance or adversely affect working conditions
• Practical jokes which cause awkwardness or embarrassment, endanger a person’s safety, or negatively affect performance
• Any form of hazing where hazing is defined as “any potentially humiliating, degrading, abusive, or dangerous activity expected of a junior-ranking athlete by a more senior team-mate, which does not contribute to either athlete’s positive development, but is required to be accepted as part of a team, regardless of the junior-ranking athlete’s willingness to participate. This includes, but is not limited to, any activity, no matter how traditional or seemingly benign, that sets apart or alienates any team-mate based on class, number of years on the team, or athletic ability."
• Unwanted physical contact including, but not limited to, touching, petting, pinching, or kissing
• Unwelcome sexual flirtations, advances, requests, or invitations
• Physical or sexual assault
• Behaviors such as those described above that are not directed towards a specific individual or group but have the same effect of creating a negative or hostile environment
• Retaliation or threats of retaliation against an individual who reports harassment to WYSA

3. Refraining from any behavior that constitutes sexual harassment, where sexual harassment is defined as unwelcome sexual comments and sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, or conduct of a sexual nature. Types of behavior that constitute sexual harassment include, but are not limited to:

• Sexist jokes
• Display of sexually offensive material
• Sexually degrading words used to describe a person
• Inquiries or comments about a person’s sex life
• Unwelcome sexual flirtations, advances or propositions
• Persistent unwanted contact

4. Abstaining from the non-medical use of drugs or the use of performance enhancing drugs or methods. More specifically, WYSA shall adopt and adhere to the MSA & CSA’s Anti-Doping Program. Any infraction under this program shall be considered an infraction of this Code and shall be subject to disciplinary action, and possible sanction, pursuant to the WYSA Disciplinary Code. WYSA will respect any penalty enacted pursuant to a breach of the Canadian Anti-Doping Program, whether imposed by the MSA, CSA or any other sport organization.

5. Refraining from associating with any person for the purpose of coaching, training, competition, instruction, administration, management, athletic development or supervision of the sport of competitive soccer, who has incurred an anti-doping rule violation and is serving a sanction involving a period of ineligibility imposed pursuant to the Canadian Anti-Doping Program and/or the World Anti-Doping Code and recognized by the Canadian Centre for Ethics in Sport (CCES).

6. Refraining from the use of power or authority in an attempt to coerce another person to engage in inappropriate activities.

7. In the case of adults, avoiding alcohol consumption in situations where minors are present, and take reasonable steps to manage the responsible consumption of alcoholic beverages in adult-oriented social situations associated with WYSA events.

8. Respecting the property of others and not willfully cause damage.

9. Promoting soccer in the most constructive and positive manner possible.

10. Adhering to all federal, provincial, municipal and host country laws.

11. Complying at all times with the bylaws, policies, procedures, rules and regulations of WYSA, MSA, and CSA, as adopted and amended from time to time.

WSEU parents, guardians or spectators specifically should:

• Identify that children have more need for example than criticisms
• Make athletic participation for your child and others a positive experience. Remember that players participate in soccer for their enjoyment, not yours
• Attempt to relieve the pressure of competition, not increase it. A child is easily affected by outside influences
• Be kind to your child’s coach and to the match officials. The coach is a volunteer giving personal time and money to provide a recreational activity for your child. The coach is providing a valuable community service, often without reward other than the personal satisfaction of having served his/her community
• The opponents are necessary friends. Without them your child could not participate meaningfully.
• Applaud good plays by your team and by members of the opposing team, whilst not engaging in any negative dialogue or actions that could be determined as harassment
• Do not openly question an official’s judgment and never his/her honesty. He/she is a symbol of fair play, integrity and sportsmanship
• Accept the results of each match. Encourage the child to be gracious in victory and turn defeat to victory by helping the child work towards improvement
• Encourage athletes to play by the rules and resolve conflicts without resorting to hostility or violence
• Keep off the competition area and not interfere with events or calls
• Never use foul or abusive language at any time
• Understand that WSEU has the right to suspend their privilege as a spectator if they act in manner that is deemed to be rude or otherwise offensive.