All players, coaches, parents, and team officials are expected to review and comply with the Lakeshore Premier SC Code of Conduct.

 

Code of Conduct

Introduction

This Code of Conduct for Lakeshore Premier SC is intended to establish expectations for all players, coaches, parents and volunteers associated with the club.

It is the minimum standard to which those involved with the club are expected to comply.  These standards are intended to provide appropriate clarification, engender good sportsmanship and respect as key club values, and assist in the continued growth of the club.

Any disciplinary issues arising out of a violation of this Code of Conduct will be dealt with as noted below.

Serious disciplinary issues will be dealt with by a special committee of club leadership and may include the club Director of Coaching and select coaches.

Players, parents and coaches are encouraged to review this code in detail.  Questions should be forwarded to club leadership.

Registration for a Lakeshore Premier SC Tryout, training camp, other program or a Lakeshore Premier SC team constitutes an agreement to comply with the Code of Conduct for all players, parents, and coaches.

 

General Roles and Responsibilities

The purposes of Lakeshore Premier SC is to:

·      Provide a high quality, relatively low cost, convenient Premier-level soccer experience for our players and families.

·      To field teams competitive in the Michigan State Premier Soccer League and/or an appropriate competitive level.

·      To play a leadership role in the development and growth of youth soccer in West Michigan.

As a member of the Grand Valley Soccer Association (GVSA), Michigan State Premier Soccer League (MSPSL) and the Michigan State Youth Soccer Association (MSYSA), our club is expected to comply with the membership provisions of the GVSA, MSPSL and MSYSA.

When playing league or tournament games, and when utilizing our own or other facilities, we must all:

·      Comply with club bylaws, rules and regulations, this Code of Conduct and the Laws of the Game.

·      Set the example of fair play and good sportsmanship.

·      Show respect to each other, our opponents, all spectators, referees and sport officials.

·      Represent Lakeshore Premier SC and West Michigan in a responsible, positive manner.

·      Actively support our teams and club in positive and constructive ways.

·      Act as ambassadors and proponents of soccer wherever our teams compete.

 

Player Roles and Responsibilities

·      Be on time and prepared for all training and games. Make sure you plan to arrive before the time requested by your coach

·      Follow your coach’s guidelines and advice on game preparation, including eating, activity level and if necessary curfew.

·      Take responsibility for being at all games and training.

·      Unapproved absence from training or games may impact playing time.

·      Approved absences may also impact playing time at the discretion of the coach.

·      Take responsibility for communicating with your coach.

·      Be respectful of team-mates, your coaches, opponents, spectators, officials and your surroundings.

·      Take care of your equipment and the coach’s.

·      Leave training fields and game fields cleaner than when you arrived. Pick up all loose trash, bottles, paper and do not leave water bottles or equipment/clothing behind.

·      Abide by all rules and regulations of the facilities utilized for team activities.

·      Show total respect to referees and their assistants. Remember that dissent is a yellow card offense. The referee’s decision is final.

·      Work on fitness and techniques outside of training if necessary or if requested by your coach.

·      Playing for Lakeshore Premier SC is a privilege, not a right, so please read and periodically review the Code of Conduct.

 

Coach Roles and Responsibilities

·      Be on time and prepared for all training and games.

·      Show respect to players and parents by giving due warning, wherever possible, of training/game changes or cancellation.

·      Teach your players fair play, respect, fairness and integrity.

·      Achieve minimum coaching certification (reference club bylaws) and proactively seek to improve and develop coaching skills. Be in possession of Risk Management Card, and ensure that assistants and team officials are too.

·      Set the example for good sportsmanship.

·      Be responsible for behavior of yourself, your players, assistant coaches and team parents.

·      Be courteous and respectful to referees and assistants at all times. Do not question referee or assistants during games. Appropriate and occasional clarification of a call is acceptable. Repeated questioning is not.

·      Explain coaching and playing philosophy to team parents before start of season. This is best achieved at an all-parent meeting. This should include expectations of players and parents; training, game and tournament schedule; playing time; excused absence, etc.

·      Adhere to GVSA and MSPSL rules, and club Bylaws, Code of Conduct and related policies.  Ensure compliance of players, parents and assistant coaches to GVSA/MSPSL and club rules. Be respectful of all players and their playing ability. Ensure that adequate time is given to challenge and increase the ability of all players.

·      Recognize achievements and improvements of all players

·      Ensure all squad players receive appropriate playing time (if applicable and/or mandated by league rules), or as communicated before the start of the season.

·      Communicate early and clearly to players or parents if issues arise, and potential consequences.

·      Ensure that parents are aware of any injuries to players during training or games.

·      Minimize yelling, and do not ridicule players, parents, opponents or officials

·      Solicit support from team parents for team manager.

·      Report all yellow and red cards to Club leadership.

 

Parent Roles and Responsibilities

·      Ensure players are at training, games or tournaments as requested by the coach, and properly attired and equipped.

·      Inform the coach in advance of planned vacations or other requests for excused absences.

·      Support team efforts and cheer the whole team.

·      Respect and support coach’s efforts, time and excused absence/team discipline/playing philosophy.

·      Submit registration paperwork and payments on time.

·      Volunteer as appropriate for team and/or club support positions.

·      Support team and/or club fund-raising activities.

·      Set a positive example of good sportsmanship, and show respect to opponents, spectators, referees and assistants.

·      Read and periodically review the club Code of Conduct.

·      Follow outlined procedures for issue resolution.

·      Review the Laws of the Game.

·      Stay at least 6 feet back from the sideline while watching games.

·      Do not yell at or ridicule players, opponents, referees or assistants.

·      DO NOT COACH FROM THE TOUCHLINE.  Parents must never take it upon themselves to direct any player in a manner consistent with “coaching”.  This includes, but is not limited to:

Ø Telling a player where to stand on the pitch.

Ø Telling a player to “mark-up” or otherwise be in proximity to an opposing player

Ø Telling a player to pass, shoot, kick, “send-it” or otherwise place the ball on the pitch.

Ø Giving a player or players any direction/instruction to do anything that would be reasonably considered the prerogative of the coach.

 

Issue Resolution

Lakeshore Premier SC expects issue resolution to start with the player/parent and team coach.  Parents should make a good faith effort to communicate concerns to the coach in the expectation the coach will discuss those concerns with the player/parent directly, and in an appropriate and timely manner.

Players and parents are NOT to contact coaches with any concern (that does not impact the health and safety of the player) until at least 24 hours after a match or practice.

Talking among parents to obtain support for a certain position, or to share concerns not communicated to the coach contributes to a detrimental team experience and will not be tolerated.

 

Steps to Resolution

·      If resolution cannot be reached between player/parent and team coach, the issue should be communicated in writing to club leadership.

·      A special committee consisting of the Club President and/or Vice-President, Director of Coaching, and/or other member will review all cases (not involving the health and safety of the player), and render a response within 21 days of receiving the written communication.

·      Decisions are final and not subject to appeal.

·      Parents are encouraged to bring issues to the attention of the coach as soon as possible for discussion/resolution.

 

Important to Know

·      Lakeshore Premier SC retains discretion in the selection of coaches, their assistants and all team officials.

·      Coaches have wide latitude in the selection of Assistants Coaches, and in the competitive and administrative workings of their teams.

·      Coaches have the right to request Club approval to remove a player from the team roster if continued problems arise in violation of this Code of Conduct and/or due to player or parent disciplinary issues. This clause may not be invoked for issues relating to player ability.

·      Parents have the right to remove their player from a team roster if unresolved issues with team/coaching philosophy persist.

·      Coaches are expected to try to resolve issues at the team level.

·      Players with past due and/or unpaid fees may be suspended from participation in games and training.

·      No refunds for player fees will be given for any reason unless reviewed and approved by club leadership.

·      The Club will not consider issues, and/or invoke the Issue Resolution process, when no attempt has been made to resolve the issue with the team coach.

·      Lakeshore Premier SC retains the right to review and update this Code of Conduct as circumstances warrant.