GRAA PARENT CODE OF CONDUCT 

Preamble 

Interscholastic and 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. 

Source: State of New Jersey Model Athletic Code of Conduct 

I understand that I must follow the Parent Code of Conduct to stay in good standing: School Work 

• GRAA’s goal is the development of scholastic athletes. Your child’s primary focus and goal should be to do their very best in school. Academics and good grades take precedence over sports. 

Fun 

• Youth sports are an opportunity for players to learn, develop and have fun
• Placing too much pressure on players to perform well, creates stress that can distract from their enjoyment, performance and can affect their self esteem 
• Recognize that players will not be great at everything and parents should help contribute to a positive atmosphere by relaxing and enjoying the game 

Winning 

• Striving to win, rather than winning itself, is what is important in youth sports
• Striving to win means your child is playing the best they can 
• Players need to know that if they are trying their best, they are winners

Participation 

• Players need to attend and be on time for all games and practices. 
• If a player cannot attend a game or practice or will be late or need to leave early, player or parent will notify the coach ahead of time 

Sportsmanship 

• Treat coaches, players, parents, officials (referees, umpires) and fans with respect
• Never engage in unsportsmanlike conduct with any coach, parent, player, official or any other attendee 
• Be courteous to opposing team’s players, coaches and opposing spectators. Treat any coach, parent, player, participant, official or any other attendee with respect regardless of race, creed, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation or ability and encourage your child to do the same 
• Be a good fan. Applaud good plays made by your team or the opposition
• Never engage in negative conversation with the opposing team’s players,coaches, or spectators 
• Never argue with an official (referees, umpires) 
• Control your temper. Physical or verbal abuse (foul language, racial slurs, intimidation) of anyone is not acceptable behavior. This applies to all players, spectators, officials, and coaches 
• Never use or be under the influence of drugs or alcohol while participating at a youth sports event (as a spectator, coach, official, etc) 
• Never provide unsolicited instructions to the players during games. Instructions shouted to players during the game are distracting, often too late to have an impact and sometimes are inaccurate or in conflict with what the coach is teaching 
• Spectators and other non-player/coach/official attendees are to remain on the sidelines during warm ups and games. They should not step onto the field/court of play during any game, even when there is a stoppage in play, unless invited on by an official and/or coach. Even if a player appears to be injured spectators should wait on the sidelines until invited onto the field/court by an official or coach. 

24 Hour Rule 

Any player, parent, guardian or spectator who has complaints, comments or suggestions with anyone connected with any program activity (coaches, other spectators, players or officials, etc), for any reason, should wait 24 hours before approaching any coach, sport commissioner or GRAA Board sport liaison with those complaints, comments or suggestions. Officials (referees, umpires etc.) should never be approached by players, parents, guardians or spectators during or after games. 

This rule is intended to let all have a cooling/calming down period. After that time, the first thing to do is to discuss the problem with the coach or assistant coach. If necessary, the sport commissioner and/or GRAA Board sport liaison may be included. It is the GRAA Board’s opinion that, after waiting the required period of time, everyone will be able to discuss any issue in a more appropriate manner and setting. Please visit contact.graa.org for contact info 

Discipline 

If you fail to abide by this code of conduct, you will be subject to disciplinary action that could include:

• Asked to leave the field location 
• Suspension from future attendance 
• Suspension for the remainder of the season 

GRAA PLAYER CODE OF CONDUCT 

I understand that I must follow the Player Code of Conduct to stay in good standing: School 

Your focus and goal should be to do your very best in school. Academics and good grades take precedence over sports. 

Fun 

• Remember that sports are an opportunity to learn, develop and have fun.
• Inform your parents or coaches if playing stops being fun. 
• Work equally hard for yourself and your team. Your team's performance will benefit, so will you. 
• Participate for your own enjoyment and benefit, not to please your parents, coaches or anyone else. 
• Play in an environment that is free of drugs, tobacco and alcohol. 
• Attend and be on time for all games and practices. 
• If you cannot attend a game or practice or if you will be late or need to leave early, notify your coach ahead of time. 
• Do your best to listen and learn from your coaches. 
• Encourage your parents to be involved with your team in some way because it is important to you. 

Sportsmanship 

• Respect the game, play fairly and follow the rules. 
• Treat your coaches, teammates, other players, officials and fans with respect.
• Encourage good sportsmanship from your teammates at every game and practice by demonstrating good sportsmanship yourself. 
• Be courteous to your teammates as well as opposing team’s players and coaches.
• Be a good sport. Applaud good plays made by your team or the opposition.
• Do not initiate a fight. Physical or verbal abuse (foul language, racial slurs, intimidation) of anyone is not acceptable behavior. 
• Show respect and never argue with an official (referees, umpires) even when you disagree with his/her calls. If you disagree, have your coach approach the official during a break or after the game
• Control your temper. Verbal abuse (foul language, racial slurs, intimidation) or physical abuse of anyone is not acceptable behavior 
• Respect the privilege of using public playing fields. 

24 Hour Rule 

Any player or parent/guardian who is upset with anyone connected with any program activity (coaches, other spectators, players officials, etc), for any reason, should wait 24 hours before approaching any coach, sport commissioner or GRAA sport liaison with complaints. This rule is intended to let parents and coaches have a cooling/calming down period. After that time, the first thing to do is to discuss the problem with the coach or assistant coach. If necessary, the sport commissioner and/or board sport liaison may be included. It is the GRAA board’s opinion that, after waiting the required period of time, everyone will be able to discuss any issue in a calmer, more professional manner. Please visit contact.graa.org for contact info 

Discipline 

If you fail to abide by the above code of conduct, you will be subject to disciplinary action that could include: 

• Loss of playing time. 
• Suspension for the next game(s). 
• Suspension for the remainder of the season.