The
essential elements of character-building and ethics in sports are embodied in
the concept of sportsmanship and six core principles: trustworthiness, respect,
responsibility, fairness, caring, and good citizenship. The highest potential
of sports is achieved when competition reflects these "six pillars of
character." 1
I
therefore agree:
1. I will not force my child to participate in sports.2, 9
2. I will remember that children participate to have fun and that the game is
for youth, not adults.6, 9
3. I will inform the coach of any physical disability or ailment that may
affect the safety of my child or the safety of others. 9
4. I will learn the rules of the game and the policies of the
league.7, 3
5. I (and my guests) will be a positive role model for my child and encourage
sportsmanship by showing respect and courtesy, and by demonstrating positive
support for all players, coaches, officials and spectators at every game,
practice or other sporting event. 10
6. I (and my guests) will not engage in any kind of
unsportsmanlike conduct with any official, coach, player, or parent such as
booing and taunting; refusing to shake hands; or using profane language or
gestures. 3,6,7,8
7. I will not encourage any behaviors or practices that would
endanger the health and wellbeing of the athletes.
8. I will teach my child to play by the rules and to resolve conflicts without
resorting to hostility or violence. 5,2
9. I will demand that my child treat other players, coaches, officials and
spectators with respect regardless of race, creed, color, sex or ability.6,9
10. I will teach my child that doing one's best is more important than winning,
so that my child will never feel defeated by the outcome of a game or his/her
performance. 2
11. I will praise my child for competing fairly and trying
hard, and make my child feel like a winner every time. 2
12. I will never ridicule or yell at my child or other
participant for making a mistake or losing a competition. 2, 5
13. I will emphasize skill development and practices and how
they benefit my child over winning. I will also deemphasize games and
competition in the lower age groups. 10
14. I will promote the emotional and physical well-being of the
athletes ahead of any personal desire I may have for my child to win. 9
15. I will respect the officials and their authority during
games and will never question, discuss, or confront coaches at the game field,
and will take time to speak with coaches at an agreed upon time and place. 4, 7
16. I will demand a sports environment for my child that is
free from drugs, tobacco, and alcohol and I will refrain from their use at all
sports events. 6
17. I will refrain from coaching my child or other
players during games and practices, unless I am one of the official coaches of
the team. 4
I
also agree that if I fail to abide by the aforementioned rules and guidelines,
I will be subject to disciplinary action that could include, but is not limited
to the following: 9
Parent/Guardian Signature _____________________________________________________________
On
References
The Sport Parent Code of Conduct has been compiled from the following national
organizations and local youth sports league Parent Codes of Conduct:
1. Arizona Sports Summit Accord
2. Character Counts
3. Heartland Soccer Club
4. Kidsports
5.
6. National
7. National High School Athletic Coaches
Association
8. Pop Warner
9. Rosemont Area Athletic Association
10.
Additional
recommended resources for conduct and sportsmanship for coaches and athletes
include: Arizona Sport Summit Accord, United States Olympic Committee (USOC)
Coaches Code of Ethics, and the Character Counts Coalition.
Consensus Meeting Participants
Meeting Co-Chairpersons
Lyle J. Micheli, MD, Chairperson, Massachusetts Governor's Committee on
Physical Fitness & Sports; Director, Division of Sports Medicine,
Children's Hospital, Boston
Rita Glassman, Chairperson, Youth Fitness Subcommittee, Massachusetts
Governor's Committee on Physical Fitness & Sports; Associate Executive
Director, National Youth Sports Safety Foundation, Inc.
Michelle Klein, Executive Director and Founder, National Youth Sports Safety
Foundation, Inc.
Participants
Aber, Jennifer, Doctoral Candidate, Sports Psychology, Boston University School
of Education
Ashare, Alan, MD, Chair, USA Hockey Sports Medicine Committee; Student Health
& Sports Medicine Committee, MA Medical Society; National Youth Sports
Safety Foundation Board of Advisors
Bailey, Barbara, Health and Safety Chairperson, Massachusetts PTA
Brown, Charles, MD, American Academy of Pediatrics, Massachusetts Chapter
Burke, Steven, Youth Fitness Subcommittee, Massachusetts Governor's Committee
on Physical Fitness and Sports
Carey, Patricia M., CLP, Director, Needham Park & Recreation Commission,
Massachusetts Recreation and Park Association
Caruso, Fred, District Administrator-MA, Little League Baseball
Caruso, John, Assistant District Administrator-MA Little League Baseball
Ciollo, Joe, Liaison, Governor's office
Coville, Nancy, Educational Improvement Group, Learning Support Services,
Massachusetts Department of Education
Faigenbaum, Avery, Ed.D., Youth Fitness Subcommittee, Massachusetts Governor's
Committee on Physical Fitness and Sports; Assistant Professor, Human
Performance & Fitness Department, University of Massachusetts Boston
Fitzgerald, Brian, ATC, Massachusetts Governor's Committee on Physical Fitness
and Sports
Fitzgerald, Kevin, Co-Director Urban Youth Sports, Center for the Study of
Sports in Society
Gondek, Jim, Executive Director, USA Youth Soccer, MA
Janicki, Mike, State Commissioner, Eastern MA Cal Ripken Leagues of Babe Ruth
Baseball
Johnson, Robert, Executive Director, Special Olympics MA
Keefe, Linda, Coordinator of Play Across Boston, Center for the Study of Sports
In Society
Klein, Robert M., MD, Medical Director, Behavioral Health Services, Lowell
General Hospital; Attending Physician, MA General Hospital
Klencheski, Beth, Massachusetts Governor's Committee on Physical Fitness and
Sports
Laham, Ron President, Athletic Trainers of Massachusetts
Loud, Rita La Rosa, Youth Fitness Subcommittee, Massachusetts Governor's
Committee on Physical Fitness & Sports
MacDonald, Joe, Regional Service Manager, Boys and Girls Clubs of America
Reardon, Janice, Director of Community Tennis Development, USA Tennis New
England
Savenor, Arnold, MD, Board of Advisors, National Youth Sports Safety
Foundation, Inc.
Smith, Joe, Secretary, Pop Warner Football, Massachusetts
Smith, Marge, President Elect, Massachusetts Association of Health, Physical
Education, Recreation and Dance
Stearns, Chris, USA Volleyball, MA
Wein, Debra, RD, Youth Fitness Subcommittee, Massachusetts Governor's Committee
on Physical Fitness and Sports
Westcott, Wayne, Ph.D., Youth Fitness Subcommittee, Massachusetts Governor's
Committee on Physical Fitness and Sports; Fitness Director, South Shore YMCA
Zaichowsky, Leonard, Ph.D., Professor and Head of Sport & Exercise
Psychology, Developmental Studies and Counseling, Boston University; National
Youth Sports Safety Foundation Board of Advisors
Organizations Supporting the Sport Parent Code of Conduct (as of
Massachusetts Governor's Committee on Physical Fitness and Sports
National Youth Sports Safety Foundation, Inc.
New England Region Pop Warner Football
Massachusetts Department of Education
Boston Police Activities League, Inc. (
Newton