Riverside FC Code of Conduct

Football is an international game. All those involved with the game at every level — whether as a player, match official, coach, owner or administrator — have a responsibility, above and beyond compliance with the law, to act according to the highest standards of integrity and to ensure that the reputation of the game is, and remains, high.

This Code applies to all those involved in football under the auspices of the Greater Durban Local Football Association.

A — Code of Conduct for Coaches

• Coaches are the key to the ethics of football. Their concept and attitude directly affect the players' behaviour under their supervision. Coaches are, therefore, expected to pay particular care to the moral aspect of their conduct.
• Coaches must be aware that almost all of their everyday decisions and choices of actions and strategic targets have ethical implications.
• Naturally, winning constitutes a primary concern for coaches. This Code is not intended to conflict with that. However, the Code calls for coaches to disassociate themselves from a "win-at-all-costs" attitude.
• Increased responsibility is requested from coaches involved in coaching young people. The health, safety, welfare and moral education of young people are a priority before the achievement or the reputation of the Club, parent or coach.

Set out below is Riverside Football Club's Code of Conduct, which forms the benchmark for all involved in coaching:

1. Coaches must always promote the positive aspects of the sport (e.g. Fair Play) and never condone violations of the Laws of the Game, behaviour contrary to the spirit of the Laws of the Game or relevant rules and regulations, or the use of prohibited substances or techniques.
2. Coaches must respect every person's rights, dignity and worth and treat each equally within the context of the sport.
3. Coaches must place the well-being and safety of each player above all other considerations, including the development of performance.
4. Coaches must develop a good working relationship with each player based on mutual trust and respect.
5. Coaches must encourage and guide players to accept responsibility for their behaviour and performance.
6. Coaches must ensure that the activities they direct or advocate are appropriate for players' age, maturity, experience and ability.
7. Coaches should, at the outset, clarify with players (and where appropriate, parents) exactly what is expected of them and what they are entitled to expect from their coach.
8. Coaches must cooperate fully with other specialists (e.g. other coaches, officials, sports scientists, doctors, physiotherapists) in the player's best interests.
9. Coaches must consistently display high standards of behaviour and must not use or tolerate inappropriate language.

Payment of Fines / Suspensions

All coaches must reimburse the Club, in full, for any fines incurred during games and/or any Club DC Sanction. Each coach is responsible for complying with any appropriate sanction imposed by the Club's DC.

B — Code of Conduct for Players

Players are the most important people in the sport. Playing for the team, and for the team to win, is the most fundamental part of the game — but not winning at any cost. Fair Play and respect for all others in the game is most important.

Riverside Football Club expects the following from players:

Obligations towards the Game

• Set a positive example for others, particularly young players and supporters.
• Make every effort to develop their sporting abilities regarding skill, technique, tactics and stamina.
• Give maximum effort and perform to the best of their ability throughout the game.
• Do not use inappropriate language.

Obligations towards One's Team

• Make every effort, consistent with Fair Play and the Laws of the Game, to help his team win.
• Resist any influence which might, or might be seen to, bring into question his commitment to the team winning.
• Show respect for and encourage all team members, irrespective of individual ability.

Respect for the Laws of the Game

• Abide by the Laws, rules and spirit of the game.
• Accept success and failure, victory and defeat, equally.
• Resist any temptation to take banned substances or use banned techniques.

Respect towards Opponents

• Treat opponents with respect at all times, irrespective of the game's result.
• Safeguard the physical fitness of opponents, avoid violence and rough play, and help injured opponents.

Respect towards the Match Officials

• Accept the decision of the Match Official without protest.
• Avoid words or actions which may mislead a Match Official.
• Show due respect towards Match Officials.

Respect towards Team Officials

• Abide by the instructions of their Coach and Team Officials.
• Show due respect towards the Team Officials of the opposition.

Obligations towards the Supporters

• Show due respect to the interests of supporters.

Payment of Fines / Suspensions

All players must reimburse the Club in full for any fines incurred during games — for example, as a result of receiving a yellow or red card or any other DC Sanction. It is further the responsibility of each player to comply with any appropriate sanction imposed by the Club's DC.

C — Code of Conduct for Managers and Team Officials

This Code applies to all Riverside Football Club team and club officials.

Obligations towards the Game

• Set a positive example for others, particularly young players and supporters.
• Promote and develop his team regarding the interests of the players, supporters and reputation of the national game.
• Share knowledge and experience when invited, considering the interest of the body that has requested this rather than personal interests.
• Show due respect to Match Officials and others involved in the game.
• Always have regard for the best interests of the game, including when publicly expressing an opinion of the game and any particular aspect of it, including others involved.
• Do not use or tolerate inappropriate language.

Obligations towards the Team

• Make every effort to develop the sporting, technical and tactical levels of the club/team and to obtain the best results for the team, using all permitted means.
• Give priority to the interests of the team over individual interests.
• Resist all illegal or unsporting influences, including banned substances and techniques.
• Promote ethical principles.
• Show respect for the interests of the players, coaches and officials, their club/team and others.

Obligations towards the Supporters

• Show due respect for the interests of supporters.

Respect towards the Match Officials

• Accept the decisions of the Match Official without protest.
• Avoid words or actions which may mislead a Match Official.
• Show due respect towards Match Officials.

D — Code of Conduct for Parents / Spectators

Parents and spectators greatly influence a child's enjoyment and success in football. All children play football because, first and foremost, they love the game — it's fun. It is important to remember that, however good a child becomes at football within our Club, you as parents and spectators have a crucial role to play, and that your positive encouragement will contribute to:

• Children enjoying football.
• A sense of personal achievement.
• Self-esteem.
• Improving the child's skills and techniques.

Parents' and spectators' expectations and attitudes have a significant bearing on a child's attitude towards:

• Other players.
• Officials.
• Managers.
• Spectators.

Riverside Football Club expects that parents and spectators within our Club are always positive, encouraging ALL of the children, not just their own.

We encourage parents and spectators to:

• Applaud the opposition as well as your own team.
• Avoid coaching the child during the game.
• Refrain from shouting and screaming.
• Respect the referee's decisions.
• Give attention to each of the children involved in football, not just the most talented.
• Encourage everyone to participate in football.

E — Policy on Cyberbullying

Riverside Football Club will not tolerate 'Direct' or 'Proxy' Cyberbullying in any form. We expect ALL Club members to respect others and to take a stand against all forms of bullying across all of the Club's communication and social media platforms.

Definitions

• Cyberbullying — when a child, preteen or teen is tormented, threatened, harassed, humiliated, embarrassed or otherwise targeted by another child, preteen or teen using the internet, social networking sites, interactive and digital technologies or mobile phones.
• Direct Cyberbullying — when a message is sent to children directly.
• Proxy Cyberbullying — when the instigator uses others to help cyberbully the victim, either with or without the accomplice's knowledge.

Should a registered player or Club member be found to be cyberbullying another Football Club player or Club member, full disciplinary procedures will be invoked, which may result in that person being expelled from the Club.

These same disciplinary procedures apply equally to safeguard all adult Club members, managers, coaches, parents or guardians from any Club member who engages in or condones bullying.