Waldwick Soccer Association

PO BOX 163

Waldwick, New Jersey 07463

PARENTAL CODE OF CONDUCT

As parents, we play a special role in contributing to the needs and development of our children.  Through encouragement and good example, we as parents: (a) help assure that our children learn good sportsmanship and self discipline, (b) teach our children to work together, and sacrifice for the good of the team, (c) to enjoy winning and deal appropriately with defeat- all while becoming physically fit and healthy, and best of all, (d) we encourage them to have fun.

In order to support these goals the Waldwick Soccer Association (WSA) has established the following guidelines for all parents and their guests:

1. Support your child - Support your child by giving encouragement and showing interest in their team.  Teach your child that hard work and an honest effort are more important than victory- that way your child will be a winner despite the outcome of the game.  Send your child ready to play. They should be properly fed and clothed, and they should arrive on time and be picked up on time. Report to the coach all injuries, special medical conditions (such as asthma) or extenuating circumstances (such as lack of sleep or family crisis) that may affect your child. 

2. Always be positive – Parents serve as a role model for their children. Become aware of this and work to be a positive role model.  Applaud good plays by your child’s team as well as good plays by the opposing team.  Support all efforts to remove verbal and physical abuse of players, coaches, referees and spectators.  Treat all players, coaches, officials and spectators with respect.  Do not engage in any kind of un-sportsmanlike conduct with any official, coach, player, or parent such as booing and taunting, or using profane language or gestures.

3.   Reinforce positive behavior – Positive reinforcement is the best way to help you child achieve their goals and their natural fear of failure.  Nobody likes to make mistakes.  If a child makes a mistake, remember it is part of learning, so encourage the child’s efforts and point out the good it what is being accomplished.

4. Don’t be sideline coaches – Coaches are usually parents just like you who have sacrificed their time to help make your child’s soccer experience a positive one.  They need your support too.  Support the team, but do not instruct the players. It confuses your child and others, and undermines the efforts of the coach.  Use positive encouragement instead. This would include such comments as "Way to go," "Nice effort," or "Stay with it."

5.  Respect the Referee –   Treat the officials with respect; FIFA, Northwest Bergen Soccer Association (NWBSA) and WSA by-laws prohibit dissent of any type, by word or action.  Respect the officials and their authority during games and never question, discuss, or confront referees at the game field.  Refrain from speaking to referees, unless it is to say thank you after the game.  Remember that children learn accepted behavior from the parents.  If we disrespect the referees, the kids will learn to do likewise.   If you have questions or concerns with the referees, relay the information to the coach after the game has ended and you have left the field.   Coaches have a process for rating inadequate referees.  Let them deal with it.

I understand that if I fail to abide by these guidelines, I will be subject to disciplinary action by the WSA that could include any of the following: 

Ø       Verbal warning by official, coach, and/or head of club or league organization

Ø       Written warning

Ø       Parental game suspension with written documentation of incident kept on file

Ø       Parental season suspension

Ø       Monetary fine (when imposed by NWBSA or other authority).

I agree to honor the disciplinary action (including payment of any fine) imposed by the WSA, NWBSA or any youth soccer association governing the games my child is participating in.

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