Preamble
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Youth sports programs play an important role in promoting the
physical, social and emotional development of children. It is therefore
essential for parents, coaches and officials to encourage youth athletes
to embrace the values of good sportsmanship. Moreover, adults involved
in youth sports events should be models of good sportsmanship and
should lead by example by demonstrating fairness, respect, and self-control.
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I therefore pledge to be responsible for my words and actions
while attending, coaching, officiating or participating in a youth
sporting event and shall conform my behavior to the following Code
of Conduct:
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1.
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I will not force my child or child that I coach to participate
in sports.
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2.
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I will remember that children participate to have fun, and that
the game is for youth, not adults.
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3.
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I will inform the coach of any physical disability or ailment
that may affect the safety of my child or the safety of others.
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4.
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I will learn the rules of the game and the policies of the league.
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5.
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I (and my guests) will be a positive role model for my child
and encourage sportsmanship by showing respect and courtesy and by
demonstrating positive support for all players, coaches, officials
and spectators at every game, practice or other sporting event.
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6.
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I (and my guests) will not engage in any kind of unsportsmanlike
conduct with any official, coach, player or parent such as booing,
taunting, refusing to shake hands, or using profane language or gestures.
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7.
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I will not encourage any behavior or practices that would endanger
the health and well-being of the athletes.
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8.
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I will teach my child or the child I coach to play by the rules
and resolve conflicts without resorting to hostility or violence.
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9.
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I will demand that my child or the child I coach treat other
players, coaches, officials and spectators with respect, regardless
of race, creed, color, sex, sexual orientation or ability.
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10.
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I will teach that doing one's best is more important than
winning, so that no child will ever feel defeated by the outcome of
a game or his/her performance.
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11.
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I will praise all of the children for competing fairly and trying
hard and make each child feel like a winner every time.
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12.
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I will never ridicule or yell at any child or any other participant
for making a mistake or losing a competition.
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13.
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I will emphasize skill development and practices and how they
benefit a child over winning. I will also de-emphasize games and competition
in the lower age groups.
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14.
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I will promote the emotional and physical well-being of the
athletes ahead of any personal desire I may have to win.
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15.
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I will respect the officials and their authority during games
and will never question, discuss, or confront coaches at the game
field/gym, and will take time to speak with coaches at an agreed time
and place.
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16.
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I will demand a sports environment that is free from drugs,
tobacco and alcohol and will refrain from their use at all sports
events.
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17.
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I will refrain from coaching my child or other players during
games and practices unless I am one of the official coaches of the
team.
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I also agree that if I fail to conform my conduct to the above-mentioned
rules and guidelines while attending, coaching or officiating or participating
in any youth sports organization event with regard to any participating
team, I may be subject to the disciplinary action, including but not
limited to the following:
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•
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Verbal warning by official, head coach, and/or head of league
organization, as appropriate.
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•
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Written warning by the Town of Dover Recreation Commission and/or
sports officials, as appropriate.
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•
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Suspension (ban) or immediate ejection from a youth sports event
issued by the Town of Dover Police Department, Town of Dover Recreation
Commission or the youth sports organization conducting the game.
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•
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Suspension (ban) from multiple youth sports events issued by
the Town of Dover Recreation Commission, as appropriate.
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•
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Parental game suspension (banning) with written documentation
of incident kept on file by organization involved, as appropriate.
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•
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Game forfeit through the game official, as appropriate.
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•
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Parental season suspension (banning) or multiple season suspension
as issued by the Town of Dover Recreation Commission.
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I hereby agree that I have read and understand this Code of
Conduct and will abide by it.
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Print Name
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Signature of Parent/Guardian or Coach
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