Codes of Conduct (Behaviour)

The Townsville Junior Touch Football (TJT) Code of Conduct reflects our support and implementation of the sport industry principles and values outlined in the Australian Sports Commission’s The Essence of Australian Sport – principles of fairness, respect, responsibility and safety. This Code aims to ensure our core values, good reputation and positive behaviours and attitudes are maintained and that everyone involved in our sport is aware of his or her legal and ethical rights and responsibilities.

Adopted 09/08/2012

Every person: spectator, player, club member, official, participant, administrator, coach, parent or member of the community involved with the sport, should work to ensure:

Inclusion of every person regardless of their age, gender or sexual orientation.
Inclusion of every person regardless of their race, culture or religion.
Opportunities for people of all abilities to participate in the sport and develop to their full potential.
Respect is shown towards others, the club and the broader community.
A safe and inclusive environment for all.
Elimination of violent and abusive behaviour.
Protection from sexual harassment or intimidation.

This Code applies to community sport, training and club sanctioned activities.

This Code of Conduct applies to all individuals and entities involved with Touch Football Australia. The Core Code must be observed by all without exception. The role specific Supplement Codes are to be applied as additional requirements to the Core Code to be observed by individuals performing the stated tasks.

The Core Code

Operate within the rules and spirit of our sport, promoting fair play over winning at any cost.
Encourage and support opportunities for people to learn appropriate behaviours and skills.
Support opportunities for participation in all aspects of Touch Football.
Treat each person as an individual.
Display control and courtesy to all involved with our sport.
Respect the rights and worth of every person regardless of their gender, ability, cultural background or religion.
Respect the decisions of officials, coaches and administrators in the conduct of our sport.
Wherever practical, avoid unaccompanied and unobserved one-on-one activity (when in a supervisory capacity or where a power imbalance will exist) with people under the age of 18 years.
Adopt appropriate and responsible behaviour in all interactions.
Adopt responsible behaviour in relation to alcohol and other drugs.
Act with integrity and objectivity, and accept responsibility for your decisions and actions.
Ensure your decisions and actions contribute to a safe environment.
Ensure your decisions and actions contribute to a harassment free environment.
Do not tolerate harmful or abusive behaviours

Players

Play for the “fun of it”, not to please your parents or coach.
Play by the rules.
Never argue with official’s decision. Let your captain or coach ask any necessary questions.
Control your temper - no “mouthing off”, no throwing balls or other equipment in anger.
Work equally hard for yourself and your team - your team's performance will benefit and so willyour own.
Be a good sport. Cheer all good plays, whether it’s your team or the opponents.
Treat all players, as you yourself would like to be treated. Don’t interfere, bully or take unfair advantage of any player.
Remember that the goal of the game is to have fun, improve your skills and feel good, don’t be a show-off or always try to get the most points or penalties.
Co-operate with your coach, teammates and opponents for without them you don’t have a game.

Coaches

Be responsible in your demands on the young players, time energy and enthusiasm. Remember that they have other interests.
Teach your players the rules of the game.
Group players according to age, height, skill and physical maturity when possible.
Avoid overplaying the talented players. The “just average” players need and deserve equal time.
Remember that children play for fun and enjoyment, and that winning is no part of it. Never ridicule or yell at a child for making mistakes or losing a game.
Ensure that equipment and facilities meet safety standards and are appropriate to the age and ability of the players.
The scheduling and length of practice time and competitions should be taken into consideration with the maturity level of the children.
Develop team respect for the ability of your opponents, as well as for the judgement of officials and opposing coaches.
When is an injured player ready to play again? On the advice of a physician, e.g. broken leg.
Remember the children need a coach that they can respect. Be generous with your praise when it is deserved, and set a good example.
Make a personal commitment to keep yourself informed on sound coaching principles and the principles of growth and development of children.

Officials (Referees)

Place the safety and welfare of the athletes above all else.
Be consistent and impartial when making decisions.
Address unsporting behaviour and promote respect for all people.
Avoid any situation which may lead to a conflict in interest.

Administrators

Act honestly, in good faith and in the best interests of the sport as a whole.
Ensure that any information acquired or advantage gained from the position is not used improperly.
Conduct your responsibilities with due care, competence and diligence.
Do not allow prejudice, conflict of interest or bias to affect your objectivity.

Parents

Do not force an unwilling child to participate in sports.
Remember children are involved in organised sports for their enjoyment not yours.
Encourage your child to always play by the rules.
Teach your child that an honest effort is as important as victory, so that the result of each game is accepted without undue disappointment.
Turn defeat to victory by helping your child towards skill improvement and good sportsmanship.
Never ridicule or yell at your child for making a mistake or losing their competition.
Remember that children learn best by example. Applaud good plays by your team and by members of the opposition team.
Do not publicly question the official’s judgement and never their honesty.
Support all efforts to remove verbal and physical abuse from children’s sporting activities.
Recognise the value and importance of volunteer referee’s and coaches - they give their time and resources to provide recreational activities for your child.

Spectators

Respect the performances and efforts of all people.
Reject the use of violence in any form, whether it is by spectators, coaches, officials or athletes.

What kinds of behaviour breaches the code?

The following behaviours are considered breaches of the Code:

Violent or abusive behaviour towards another person.
Vilifications of any kind towards another person.
Discrimination against another person based on their age, gender or sexual orientation.
Discrimination against another person based on their race, culture, religion or any other irrelevant personal characteristic.
Sexual harassment or intimidation of another person.
Victimisation of another person for exercising their rights through the Code of Conduct.
Failure to maintain a safe environment.

Complaints vary in their degree of seriousness, but it is vital to treat all complaints and possible breaches ofthe Code of Conduct seriously. Some will be adequately resolved informally at a club, or association levelwhilst others may be instances of unlawful behaviour and are therefore best resolved formally by anexternal agency such as the Police.

If any of these behaviours take place within a sport or recreational context, the relevant State Sporting Association, league, association or club is able to impose penalties or sanctions.

What are the possible consequences if the code is breached?

Sanctions (penalties) for breaching the Code will depend on a number of factors, such as:

How and when did they breach the Code?
What were the effects of the breach?
Whether this behaviour has taken place repeatedly or is a one-off

Sanctions may include:

Requesting a person to change their behaviour;
Issuing a formal or informal warning;
Asking a person to leave a facility;
Banning a person from entering a facility;
Imposing a fine on a player or a club;
Imposing a match ban on a player, spectator or official.

In rare and serious cases, where a breach of the Code constitutes unlawful behaviour, it may be necessary to involve the Police.

Policy References

This document is derived from the following sources:

Codes of Conduct, Townsville Football Australia
Victorian Code of Conduct for Community Sport, Victorian State Government