The Cohasset Soccer Club’s goal is to provide children an opportunity to learn and enjoy the game of soccer in a fun and safe environment. Coaches, players, parents and referees should all work together to create a positive learning environment with an emphasis on fair play and respect for all participants. To better achieve that mission, we provide the following Codes of Conduct for all Cohasset players, parents, coaches, and referees/officials.
These Codes of Conduct are a covenant between players, parents, and coaches to abide by the rules and regulations of the game, as well as to maintain a cooperative attitude and uphold the ideals of fair play and sportsmanship. These Codes express our core values and goals. It is essential they be honored and followed.
The Codes of Conduct can be summarized in the following three principles: (1) Demonstrating a positive attitude; (2) Setting a good example; and (3) Maintaining good relationships with all youth soccer participants - including officials, opponents, and our own team’s players, parents, and coaches.
1. Demonstrating a positive attitude
Players, parents, and coaches are expected to show a positive, respectful attitude for everyone involved in the sport. Criticism and disrespect for officials, opponents, coaches or fans undermine the purpose of sport and encourage behavior contrary to the spirit of the game.
2. Setting a good example
Each person associated with the Cohasset Soccer Club is accountable for his/her own behavior at all times on or off the field of play. Parents, coaches and other adults should remember that children learn by example - it is up to the adults to set good examples. The Cohasset Soccer Club will not tolerate conduct that is detrimental to the sport, the participants, or the community. Such conduct includes: vulgarity by coaches, players or parents; harassment or belittling of officials, coaches or players; verbal abuse, threats or physical violence toward anyone before, during or after a match; and the taunting of opposing players, coaches and parents. We require thorough self-restraint by all participants - both players and adults. Teams must exercise appropriate control over those who fail to control themselves.
3. Maintaining good relationships
Officials - All referees are human and they do make mistakes. Parents or players who believe their team has been treated unfairly or has been assigned an unqualified referee should speak to their coach after the game. Coaches should inform the appropriate league or tournament officials about blatant officiating problems. In accordance with FIFA laws, verbal abuse toward a referee can result in a red card and ejection for the player, coach or parent. Referees have the authority to suspend play if a coach does not control his players and parents/supporters.
Opponents - Players and coaches are required to maintain a sense of fair play and be respectful of opposing players, coaches and fans at all times. Sportsmanship begins with respect. Without it, the positive competitive environment, which should be a perfect classroom for learning the values of soccer, is completely undermined.
Our Team - In an environment where our children are competing not only against other teams but also frequently against each other, it can be difficult to control jealousies and rivalries. A successful team resembles a family in that members put their own needs second, behind the greater good of the team. Great care must be taken not to undermine the coach’s authority. As in most cases, parental example is all-important
