FA grassroots code of conduct: PLAYERS
We’re here to enjoy ourselves…win, lose or draw. To help make football more enjoyable for all I should:
• Remember that football is about enjoyment, not just winning.
• Encourage others and behave well.
• Bring a positive attitude to training and matches.
• Recognise when my team-mates give respect, work together, or try their best.
We always treat others as we’d like to be treated. To give respect at football I must:
• Always use respectful language and actions.
• Not argue with the referee, coach, and officials, and accept their decisions about football and my behaviour.
• Show fair play by shaking hands with our opponents whether we win, lose or draw.
• Tidy up after myself and take care of the facilities we use.
We embrace our differences, football is a game for everyone. To be inclusive at football I must:
• Welcome everyone, whoever they are and whatever their background or ability.
• Involve everyone and always be kind.
• Treat everyone fairly and tell a trusted adult if this doesn’t happen.
• Celebrate everyone’s good play, effort and success.
We’re a team, on and off the pitch. To help us bond as a team I should:
• Encourage my team-mates if they make a mistake.
• Try my best and help my team, by being positive and supportive.
• Play fairly, without cheating, diving, complaining, or wasting time.
• Accept that I may not be able to play in my favourite position all the time, or that I may need to take a break to give someone else playing time.
• Recognise that if I’m the Captain, I need to try hard to set a positive example for others to follow.
• Remember that football is about enjoyment, not just winning.
• Encourage others and behave well.
• Bring a positive attitude to training and matches.
• Recognise when my team-mates give respect, work together, or try their best.
We always treat others as we’d like to be treated. To give respect at football I must:
• Always use respectful language and actions.
• Not argue with the referee, coach, and officials, and accept their decisions about football and my behaviour.
• Show fair play by shaking hands with our opponents whether we win, lose or draw.
• Tidy up after myself and take care of the facilities we use.
We embrace our differences, football is a game for everyone. To be inclusive at football I must:
• Welcome everyone, whoever they are and whatever their background or ability.
• Involve everyone and always be kind.
• Treat everyone fairly and tell a trusted adult if this doesn’t happen.
• Celebrate everyone’s good play, effort and success.
We’re a team, on and off the pitch. To help us bond as a team I should:
• Encourage my team-mates if they make a mistake.
• Try my best and help my team, by being positive and supportive.
• Play fairly, without cheating, diving, complaining, or wasting time.
• Accept that I may not be able to play in my favourite position all the time, or that I may need to take a break to give someone else playing time.
• Recognise that if I’m the Captain, I need to try hard to set a positive example for others to follow.
We all have a role in safeguarding children. To help keep everyone safe I must:
• Remember football is about making friends, learning new skills and of course, being active!
• Take responsibility, encourage others, and keep it positive.
• Know that I have a right:
-To feel safe online and offline
-To have healthy relationships with appropriate boundaries
-Not to feel uncomfortable or unsafe.
-Not to be bullied, harassed, or intimidated
-Not to be treated unfairly.
If this doesn’t sound like your football experience, speak to an adult you trust.
• Remember football is about making friends, learning new skills and of course, being active!
• Take responsibility, encourage others, and keep it positive.
• Know that I have a right:
-To feel safe online and offline
-To have healthy relationships with appropriate boundaries
-Not to feel uncomfortable or unsafe.
-Not to be bullied, harassed, or intimidated
-Not to be treated unfairly.
If this doesn’t sound like your football experience, speak to an adult you trust.
FA grassroots code of conduct: SPECTATORS
I WILL:
• Remember that children play for FUN
• Applaud effort and good play as well as success
• Respect the Referee’s decisions even when you don’t agree with them
• Appreciate good play from whatever team it comes from
• Remain behind the touchline and within the Designated Spectators’ Area
• Let the coach do their job and not confuse the players by telling them what to do
• Encourage the players to respect the opposition, referee and match officials
• Support positively and offer players encouragement not criticism
• Never engage in, or tolerate offensive, insulting or abusive language or behaviour
• Remember that children play for FUN
• Applaud effort and good play as well as success
• Respect the Referee’s decisions even when you don’t agree with them
• Appreciate good play from whatever team it comes from
• Remain behind the touchline and within the Designated Spectators’ Area
• Let the coach do their job and not confuse the players by telling them what to do
• Encourage the players to respect the opposition, referee and match officials
• Support positively and offer players encouragement not criticism
• Never engage in, or tolerate offensive, insulting or abusive language or behaviour
A grassroots code of conduct: OFFICIALS
ON AND OFF THE FIELD, I WILL:
Use my position to set a positive example for the young people I am responsible for
Show respect to others involved in the game including match officials, players, coaches, and spectators
Be honest and impartial at all times
Apply the Laws of the Game and competition rules fairly and consistently
Manage games in a positive, calm and confident manner
Communicate with the players and encourage fair play
Deal with all instances of violence, aggression, unsporting behaviour, foul play and other misconduct
Never tolerate offensive, insulting or abusive language or behaviour from players and team officials
WHEN WORKING WITH PLAYERS, I WILL:
Place the well-being, safety and enjoyment of each player above everything
Never engage in or tolerate any form of bullying
Encourage each player to accept responsibility for their own behaviour and performance
Ensure all activities I organise are appropriate for the players’ ability level, age and maturity
Co-operate fully with others in football (e.g. officials, welfare officers) for each player’s best interests
Use my position to set a positive example for the young people I am responsible for
Show respect to others involved in the game including match officials, players, coaches, and spectators
Be honest and impartial at all times
Apply the Laws of the Game and competition rules fairly and consistently
Manage games in a positive, calm and confident manner
Communicate with the players and encourage fair play
Deal with all instances of violence, aggression, unsporting behaviour, foul play and other misconduct
Never tolerate offensive, insulting or abusive language or behaviour from players and team officials
WHEN WORKING WITH PLAYERS, I WILL:
Place the well-being, safety and enjoyment of each player above everything
Never engage in or tolerate any form of bullying
Encourage each player to accept responsibility for their own behaviour and performance
Ensure all activities I organise are appropriate for the players’ ability level, age and maturity
Co-operate fully with others in football (e.g. officials, welfare officers) for each player’s best interests
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