Code of Conduct for Parents & Spectators
This is a code of conduct for parents & spectators that watch training sessions and matches.
Parents & spectators have a huge influence on a child’s enjoyment and success in football. It's important to stress that positive encouragement will contribute towards children enjoying football, having a sense of personal achievement, self-esteem, and working to improve their skills and techniques.
A parent & spectator's expectations and attitudes have a significant bearing on a child’s attitude towards other players, match officials, and managers & coaches.
Parents & spectators should:
- Applaud the opposition as well as their own team.
- Avoid coaching the players during the game (this must be left to the manager and coaches).
- Never shout, scream or use foul & abusive language.
- Respect the referee’s decision, and bear in mind that a lot of referees in junior football are children themselves.
- Give attention to each of the players involved in football, not just the most talented.
- Give positive encouragement to everyone to participate in football.
- Keep an eye on their own children on the at training sessions and at matches to make sure they're behaving.
- Watch training sessions from outside the pitches, not on the pitches or within the courts. Only managers, coaches and players should be on the pitches.
- Watch matches a few steps back from the sideline so the managers have room to walk up and down the touchline. Never encroach onto the pitches.
- Ensure they adhere to the club's Social Media Policy.
If you do not follow this code of conduct when watching matches or training sessions, you may be:
- Issued with a warning from the club, league or County FA.
- Required to meet with the club, league or County FA Welfare Officer.
- Required to meet with the Club committee to explain your actions.
- Required to undertake an FA education course.
- Asked not to attend any future training sessions or matches by the club.
- Suspended or required to leave the club.
If you have queries about anything above, or can think of something that should be added, email [email protected].