The athlete/coach relationship is a privileged one. Coaches play a critical role in the personal, as well as athletic, development of their athletes. They must understand and respect the inherent power imbalance that exists in this relationship and must be extremely careful not to abuse it. Coaches must also recognize that they are conduits through which the values and goals of a sport organization are channelled. Thus how an athlete regards his/her sport is often dependent on the behaviour of the coach. The following Code of Conduct has been developed to aid coaches in achieving a level of behaviour which will allow them to assist their athletes in becoming well- rounded, self confident and productive human beings.
COACHES WILL ADBIDE TO:
RESPECT FOR OTHERS
- The principle of respect challenges members to act in a manner respectful of the dignity of all participants in sport, regardless of their connection to the sport. Fundamental to this principle is the basic assumption that each person has value and is worthy of respect.
- The principle of responsible action carries the basic ethical expectation that the activities of members will benefit society in general and participants in particular and will do no harm. Fundamental to the implementation of this principle is the notion that each member is responsible and the consequences of their actions or inactions.
INTEGRITY
- Integrity means that members are expected to be honest, sincere, and honourable in their relationships with others. Acting on these values is most possible when members possess a high degree of self-awareness and the ability to reflect critically on how their perspectives influence their Revised April 2014 interactions with others.
- The principle of honouring sport in general and football in particular, challenges members to recognize, act on, and promote the value of football for individuals and teams, and for society in general.
Dignity
Maintain and enhance the dignity and self-esteem of athletes and other Individuals by:
- a) Demonstrating respect to individuals regardless of body type, physical characteristics, athletic ability, age, ancestry, colour, race, citizenship, ethnic origin, place of origin, creed, disability, family status, marital status, gender identity, gender expression, sex and sexual orientation
- b) Focusing comments or criticism appropriately and avoiding public criticism of athletes, coaches, officials, organizers, volunteers, employees, or members
- c) Consistently demonstrating a spirit of sportsmanship, sport leadership, and ethical conduct
- d) Acting, when appropriate, to correct or prevent practices that are unjustly discriminatory
- e) Consistently treating individuals fairly and reasonably
- f) Ensuring adherence to the rules of the sport and the spirit of those rules
Refrain from any behaviour that constitutes harassment, where harassment is defined as comment or conduct directed towards an individual or group, which is offensive, abusive, racist, sexist, degrading, or malicious. Types of behaviour that constitute harassment include, but are not limited to:
- Written or verbal abuse, threats, or outbursts
- The display of visual material which is offensive or which one ought to know is offensive in the circumstances
- Unwelcome remarks, jokes, comments, innuendo, or taunts
- Leering or other suggestive or obscene gestures
- Condescending or patronizing behaviour which is intended to undermine self-esteem, diminish performance or adversely affect working conditions
- Practical jokes which cause awkwardness or embarrassment, endanger a person’s safety, or negatively affect performance
- Any form of hazing where hazing is defined as “Any potentially humiliating, degrading, abusive, or dangerous activity expected of a junior-ranking athlete by a more senior teammate, which does not contribute to either athlete’s positive development, but is required to be accepted as part of a team, regardless of the junior-ranking athlete’s willingness to participate. This includes, but is not limited to, any activity, no matter how traditional or seemingly benign, that sets apart or alienates any teammate based on class, number of years on the team, or athletic ability.”
- Unwanted physical contact including, but not limited to, touching, petting, pinching, or kissing
- Unwelcome sexual flirtations, advances, requests, or invitations
- Physical or sexual assault
- Behaviours such as those described above that are not directed towards a specific individual or group but have the same effect of creating a negative or hostile environment
- Retaliation or threats of retaliation against an individual who reports harassment
- Sexist jokes
- Display of sexually offensive material
- Sexually degrading words used to describe a person
- Inquiries or comments about a person’s sex life
- Unwelcome sexual flirtations, advances, or propositions
- Persistent unwanted contact
Abstain from the non-medical use of drugs or the use of performance-enhancing drugs or methods.
- More specifically, the Football NL adopts and adheres to the Canadian Anti-Doping Program. Any infraction under this Program will be considered an infraction of this Code and may be subject to further disciplinary action, and possible sanction, pursuant to the Disciplinary Procedures. FNL will respect any penalty enacted pursuant to a breach of the Canadian Anti-Doping Program imposed by any other sport organization.
- Refrain from associating with any person for the purpose of coaching, training, competition, instruction, administration, management, athletic development, or supervision who has incurred an anti-doping rule violation and is serving a sanction involving a period of ineligibility imposed pursuant to the Canadian Anti-Doping Program and/or the World Anti-Doping Code and recognized by the Canadian Centre for Ethics in Sport (CCES).
- Refrain from the use of power or authority in an attempt to coerce another person to engage in inappropriate activities.
- Avoid consuming alcohol in situations where minors are present and take reasonable steps to manage the responsible consumption of alcohol in adult-oriented social situations at sanctioned events.
- Respect the property of others and not wilfully cause damage.
- Adhere to all federal, provincial, municipal and host country laws.
- Ensure a safe environment by selecting activities and establishing controls that are suitable for the age, experience, ability, and fitness level of the involved athletes.
- Prepare athletes systematically and progressively, using appropriate time frames and monitoring physical and psychological adjustments while refraining from using training methods or techniques that may harm athletes.
- Avoid compromising the present and future health of athletes by communicating and cooperating with sport medicine professionals in the diagnosis, treatment, and management of athletes’ medical and psychological treatments.
- Support the coaching staff of a training camp, provincial/territorial team, or national team; should an athlete qualify for participation with one of these programs.
- Provide athletes (and the parents/guardians of minor athletes) with the information necessary to be involved in the decisions that affect the athlete.
- Act in the best interest of the athlete’s development as a whole person.
- Respect coaches.
- Respect athletes playing with other teams and, in dealings with them, not encroach upon topics or actions which are deemed to be within the realm of 'coaching', unless after first receiving approval from the coaches who are responsible for the athletes.
- Self-report any ongoing criminal investigation, conviction, or existing bail conditions, including those for violence, child pornography, or possession, use, or sale of any illegal substance.
- Under no circumstances provide, promote, or condone the use of drugs (other than properly prescribed medications) or performance-enhancing substances and, in the case of minors, alcohol and/or tobacco.
- Not engage in a sexual relationship with an athlete under 18 years old or an intimate or sexual relationship with an athlete over the age of 18 if the individual is in a position of power, trust, or authority over the athlete.
- Recognize the power inherent in the position of coach and respect and promote the rights of all participants in sport. This is accomplished by establishing and following procedures for confidentiality (right to privacy), informed participation, and fair and reasonable treatment. Coaches have a special responsibility to respect and promote the rights of participants who are in a vulnerable or dependent position and less able to protect their own rights.