PLAYERS, PARENTS, COACHES, SPECTATORS, ADMINISTRATORS

Adapted from Australian Sports Commission (http://www.ausport.gov.au) and adopted by the Athelstone Tennis Club Inc Management Committee 1 Oct 2015 www.tgtc.com.au

Athelstone Tennis Club Range Rd Paradise

GENERAL CODE OF BEHAVIOUR

Athelstone Tennis Club (TGTC) is responsible for the control and conduct of their members who include Players, Parents, Coaches, Managers, Administrators and Spectators.

All members of ATC and spectators attending games and / or events controlled by ATC, EDTA and Tennis SA, a member association or an affiliated club are required to adhere to the appropriate Codes of Conduct relative to their particular circumstance.

• Respect the rights, dignity and worth of others.
• Be fair, considerate and honest in all dealing with others.
• Be professional in, and accept responsibility for, your actions.
• Make a commitment to providing quality service.
• Be aware of, and maintain an uncompromising adhesion to, ATC standards, rules, regulations and policies.
• Operate within the rules of the sport including national and international guidelines which govern ATC, the member associations and the affiliated clubs.
• Do not use your involvement with ATC, a member association or an affiliated club to promote your own beliefs, behaviours or practices where these are inconsistent with those of ATC a member association or an affiliated club.
• Demonstrate a high degree of individual responsibility especially when dealing with persons under 18 years of age, as your words and actions are an example.
• Avoid unaccompanied and unobserved activities with persons under 18 years of age, wherever possible.
• Refrain from any form of harassment of others.
• Refrain from any behaviour that may bring ATC, a member association or an affiliated club into disrepute.
• Provide a safe environment for the conduct of the activity.
• Show concern and caution towards others who may be sick or injured.
• Be a positive role model.
• Understand the repercussions if you breach, or are aware of any breaches of, this code of behaviour.
• Play by the rules.
• Never argue with an official. If you disagree, have your captain, coach or manager approach the official during a break or after the game.
• Control your temper. Verbal abuse of officials and sledging other players, deliberately distracting or provoking an opponent are not acceptable or permitted behaviour in any sport.
• Work equally hard for yourself and/or your team. Your team’s performance will benefit, so will you.
• Be a good sport. Applaud all good plays whether they are made by your team or the oppositions.
• Treat all players as you like to be treated. Do not bully or take unfair advantage of another player.
• Cooperate with your coach, team-mates and opponents. Without them there would be no competition.
• Participate for your own enjoyment and benefit, not just to please parents and coaches.
• Respect the rights, dignity and worth of all participants regardless of their gender, ability, cultural background or religion.
• Do not interfere with the progress and/or conduct of the game.  
• Remember that children participate in sport for their enjoyment, not yours.
• Encourage children to participate, do not force them.
• Focus on the child’s efforts and performance rather than winning or losing.
• Encourage children always to play according to the rules and to settle disagreements without resorting to hostility or violence.
• Never ridicule or yell at a child for making a mistake or losing a game.
• Remember that children learn best by example.
• Appreciate good performances and skilful plays by all players.
• Support all efforts to remove verbal and physical abuse from sporting activities.
• Respect officials’ decisions and teach children to do likewise.
• Show appreciation for volunteer coaches, officials and administrators. Without them, your child could not participate.
• Respect the rights, dignity and worth of every young person regardless of their gender, ability, cultural background or religion.
• Do not interfere with the progress and/or conduct of the game.

PLAYERS & PARENTS

• Should be treated with respect and openness
• Have access to self improvement opportunities; and be matched with a level of coaching appropriate to their level of competence.
• Adhere to the Coach’s Code of Ethics –
• Remember that young people participate for pleasure and winning is only part of the fun.
• Never ridicule or yell at a young player for making a mistake or not coming first.
• Be reasonable in your demands on players’ time, energy and enthusiasm.
• Operate within the rules and spirit of your sport and teach your players to do the same.
• Ensure that the time players spend with you is a positive experience. All players are deserving of equal attention and opportunities.
• Avoid overplaying the talented players; the just-average need and deserve equal time.
• Ensure that equipment and facilities meet safety standards and are appropriate to the age and ability of all players.
• Display control, respect and professionalism to all involved with the sport. This includes opponents, coaches, officials, administrators, the media, parents and spectators. Encourage players to do the same.
• Show concern and caution toward sick and injured players. Follow the advice of a physician when determining whether an injured player is ready to recommence training or competition.
• Obtain appropriate qualifications and keep up to date with the latest coaching practices and the principles of growth and development of young people.
• Any physical contact with a young person should be appropriate to the situation and necessary for the player’s skill development.
• Respect the rights, dignity and worth of every young person regardless of their gender, ability, cultural background or religion.
• Treat each player as an individual. Respect the talent, development stage and goals of each player, and help each player reach their full potential.
• Don’t interfere with the progress and / or conduct of a game unless called to do so by another official.
• Abide by the Officials’ decisions.
• Remember that players participate in sport for their enjoyment and benefit, not yours.
• Applaud good performance and efforts from all individuals and teams. Congratulate all players on their performance regardless of the game’s outcome.
• Respect the decisions of officials and teach young people to do the same.
• Never ridicule or scold a young player for making a mistake. Positive comments are motivational.
• Condemn the use of violence in any form, whether it is by spectators, coaches, officials or players.
• Show respect for your team’s opponents. Without them there would be no game.
• Encourage players to follow the rules and the officials’ decisions.
• Do not use foul language, sledge or harass players, coaches or officials.
• Respect the rights, dignity and worth of every player regardless of their gender, ability, cultural background or religion.
• Do not interfere with the progress and/or conduct of a game.

COACHES & SPECTATORS

• Resolve conflicts fairly and promptly through established procedures and maintain strict impartiality.
• Be aware of your legal responsibilities.
• Place the safety and welfare of the players above all else.
• Accept responsibility for all actions taken.
• Avoid any situation which may lead to a conflict of interest. 
• Be courteous, respectful and open to discussion and interaction.
• Value the individual in sport.
• Involve young people in planning, leadership, evaluation and decision making related to the activity and give all players equal opportunities to participate.
• Create pathways for young people to participate in sport not just as a player but as a coach, umpire, administrator etc.
• Ensure that rules, equipment, length of games and training schedules are modified to suit the age, ability and maturity level of young players.
• Provide quality supervision and instruction for junior players.
• Remember that young people participate for their enjoyment and benefit. Do not over-emphasise awards.
• Help coaches and officials highlight appropriate behaviour and skill development, and help improve the standards of coaching and officiating.
• Ensure that everyone involved in our sport emphasises fair play, and not winning at all costs.
• Give a Code of Conduct booklet to spectators, officials, parents, coaches, players and the media, and encourage them to follow it.
• Remember, you set an example. Your behaviour and comments should be positive and supportive.
• Support implementation of the National Junior Sport Policy.
• Make it clear that abusing players in any way is unacceptable and will result in disciplinary action.
• Respect the rights, dignity and worth of every player regardless of their gender, ability, cultural background or religion.
• Compliment and encourage all participants.
• Be consistent, objective and courteous when making decisions.
• Condemn unsporting behaviour and promote respect for all opponents.
• Emphasise the spirit of the game rather than errors.
• Be a good sport, actions speak louder than words.
• Do not interfere with the progress and/or conduct of a game, unless called to do so by another official.
• Abide by Official’s decisions.