Code of conduct
TOWSON RECREATION COUNCIL
PLAYERS, COACHES, PARENTS AND SPECTATORS
CODE OF CONDUCT
Managers -
Towson Recreation Council is now requiring all managers, coaches, players,
parents/spectators to review, understand and abide by this Code of Conduct. You must give each
family a copy of our Code of Conduct. This is a written reminder for all that children’s sports
and activities are intended to be fun - for the children. Unfortunately, many parents, fans and
coaches do not realize that their actions, whether verbal or nonverbal, can have a lasting
emotional effect on children. We at the Towson Recreation Council want to be sure everyone
keeps our mission in mind and encourages having fun in all sports and activities.
We are asking all managers to review this Code with coaches,
players and parents at your first team meeting. This meeting may be at the
beginning of your first practice or at another designated time before practicing. Everyone
reviewing and understanding this Code will need to sign the team form. Your team form will
need to have every player represented and you will need to return this completed
form to pick up your team’s uniforms in a few weeks. Please do not wait until the last
minute to get everyone’s signatures. We are aware that families go on vacations, etc. so please
TOWSON RECREATION COUNCIL MISSION STATEMENT
The purpose of Towson Recreation Council is to provide our youth the ideals of good
sportsmanship, fair play, and honesty for the betterment of their physical and social well being
through sports and other sponsored activities.TOWSON RECREATION COUNCIL
PLAYERS, COACHES, PARENTS AND SPECTATORS
CODE OF CONDUCT
(adopted January, 2009)
The essential elements of character building and ethics in sports are embodied in the
concepts of sportsmanship, trustworthiness, respect, responsibility, fairness, caring, and good
citizenship. Please read and abide by the Code of Conduct that has been developed to clarify and
distinguish acceptable behavior that is necessary to the development of the sport or activity.
Rules for the Towson Recreation Council Fields and Facilities:
Smoking is NOT PERMITTED.
Alcohol is NOT PERMITTED.
Please Drive Slowly and Carefully.
Children are NOT to be left UNATTENDED.
Being either a participant, player, manager, coach, parent/spectator, I have read and
understand the Towson Recreation Council Code of Conduct and the Field and Facility
TOWSON RECREATION COUNCIL
CODE OF CONDUCT
FOR COACHES
Coaches are responsible for the conduct of their players and the spectators on their side of the
field, specifically as it relates to the referee, coaches, players and spectators on the other team.
Verbal and/or physical abuse will not be tolerated.
All persons coaching a team or teams within the Towson Recreation Council must adhere
to the following Code of Conduct. As a coach in the Towson Recreation Council, I agree
to:
• Remember that players participate for pleasure and winning is only part of the fun.
• Never ridicule or yell at players for making a mistake or not winning.
• Be reasonable in my demands on players’ time, energy and enthusiasm.
• Operate within the rules and spirit of the game and teach my players to do the
same.
• Ensure that the time players spend with me is a positive experience. All players
are deserving of equal attention and opportunities.
• Avoid overplaying talented players. All players deserve equal playing and
training time, regardless of their ability.
• Ensure that equipment and facilities meet safety standards and are appropriate to
the age, maturity and ability of all players.
• Display control, respect and professionalism to all involved with sports. This
includes, but is not limited to, opponents, coaches, officials, administrators, the
media, parents and spectators. I will encourage my players to do the same.
• Show concern and caution toward sick and injured players. Follow the advice of aphysician when determining whether an injured player is ready to practice of play.
• Keep up to date with the latest coaching practices and the principles of growth and
development of young players.
• Understand that any physical contact with a player should be appropriate to sports
situations and necessary for the player’s development.
• Respect the rights, dignity and worth of every young person regardless of their
gender, ability, cultural background or religion.
• Believe that my role as a coach is to contribute to the overall success, physical,
and athletic growth of the player through participation in sports.
• Endeavor to be a good instructor and a positive role model for my players.
• Remember my behavior brings credit to myself, the Towson Recreation Council
and the sport.
• Believe that referees, just as coaches and players, are attempting to do their best.
• Understand that my attitude can influence the players, coaches and spectators.
• Demand a sports environment for the children that is free from drugs, tobacco,
and alcohol and I will refrain from their use at al Towson Recreation Council
events.TOWSON RECREATION COUNCIL
CODE OF CONDUCT
FOR SPECTATORS
Parents and players are responsible for the conduct of their guests. All spectators at practices or
games for the Towson Recreation Council must adhere to the following Code of Conduct.
As a spectator of the Towson Recreation Council, I agree to:
• Remember that young people participate for their enjoyment and benefit, not
yours.
• Applaud good performance and efforts from all individuals and teams.
Congratulate all participants on their performance regardless of the game’s
outcome.
• Respect the decisions of officials and teach players to do the same.
• Never ridicule or scold a 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 decisions of officials.
• Not use foul language or harass players, coaches or officials.
• Respect the rights, dignity and worth of every young person regardless of their
gender, ability, cultural background ro religion.
• Believe that referees, just as coaches and players, are attempting to do their best.
• Understand that my attitude can influence the players, coaches and spectators.
• Demand a sports environment for the children that is free from drugs, tobacco,
and alcohol and I will refrain from their use at all Towson Recreation Council
events.TOWSON RECREATION COUNCIL
CODE OF CONDUCT
FOR PLAYERS
As a player fo the Towson Recreation Council, I agree to:
• Play by the rules.
• Never argue with a referee or assistant referee. If I disagree, I will speak with my
coach.
• Control my temper and maintain control over my emotions. I will avoid
bad/negative comments and/or gestures, and I know that purposely distracting or
annoying an opponent is not allowed behavior in sports.
• Work equally hard for myself and my team. My team’s performance will benefit,
so will I.
• Be a good sport; applaud all good plays whether they are made by my team or the
opposition.
• Treat all participants in sports as I like to be treated. I will not bully or take unfair
advantage of another competitor.
• Cooperate with your coach, teammates and opponents. Without them there would
be no game.
• Participate for my 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.
• Believe that referees, just as coaches and players, are attempting to do their best.
• Understand that my attitude can influence the players, coaches and spectators.
• Remember that practices are just as important as games and my attendance helps
my team. I will notify my coach if I must miss a practice or a game.
• Play for the fun of the sport!TOWSON RECREATION COUNCIL
CODE OF CONDUCT
FOR PARENTS
As a parent of a player in the Towson Recreation Council, I agree to:
• Be my child’s best fan! Support my child unconditionally and make him/her feel
like a winner every time!
• Remember that children participate in sports for their enjoyment, not mine.
• 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 skillful plays by all participants.
• Support all efforts to remove verbal and physical abuse from all activities.
• Respect the decisions of officials and teach children to do likewise.
• Learn the rules of the game and the policies of the organization and the Towson
Recreation Council fields and facilities.
• 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.
• Be kind to my child’s coach, other volunteers including board members and
concession workers and to the officials. The coach, board members and
concession workers are volunteers - giving of personal time to provide a
recreational activity for your child. They are providing a valuable community
service, often without reward other than their personal satisfaction. Without
them, your child could not participate.
• Believe that referees, just as coaches and players, are attempting to do their best. I
will refrain from speaking to officials, unless it is to say thank you after the game.
If I have questions or concerns with the referees, I will speak to the coach after the
game or at practice.
• Understand that my attitude can influence the players, coaches and spectators.
• Demand a sports environment for my child that is free from drugs, tobacco, and
alcohol and I will refrain from their use at all Towson Recreation Council events.
• Be sure my child is available for most practices and games. Practices are as
important as games. Children who simply don’t show up for practice and/or
games are letting everybody down. If I know my child is unable to attend a
practice or game, I will give the coach advance notice to enable proper planning.
• 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
the player.
• Send my child ready to play. My child will be dressed in uniform and will arrive
on time.
