Youth Code of Conduct

St Patricks GFC aims to ensure that everybody has an opportunity to take part in our games and culture, to participate fully, to grow, develop and to be inspired to keep a lifelong engagement with our Club. We are committed to providing our community & members with a clear sense of identity, place and belonging. To achieve our goals, it is important that all members and coaches understand their role and responsibilities. This policy sets out the Club’s expectations and standards that we believe will lead us towards our goals and creates a shared vision for our future. 

We adapt a child centred approach and philosophy in the running of the club to ensure that those working with children and young people are at all times provided with a quality sporting and social programme, by working to an agreed philosophy and set of standards. 

St Patrick’s GFC is fully committed to the safeguarding and promoting the wellbeing of all its members. The club believes that it is important that members, coaches, administrators and parents associated with the club must, at all times, show respect and understanding for the safety and welfare of everybody. Therefore all members are encouraged to be open at all times and share any concerns or complaints that may have with their respective Team Manager.

Players must: 

• Respect the rights, dignity and worth of all and treat everyone equitably. 
• Not exert undue influence to obtain person benefit or reward.

 Players within the Club must:

• Play by the rules
• Never argue with an official. If you need clarification, have your captain, coach or manager approach the official during a break or after the competition. 
• Work equally hard for yourself and your team. Your teams performance will benefit –so will you. 
• Be a good sport. Applaud all good plays whether they are made by your team or the opposition. 
• Show respect to and acknowledge opponents and officials (e.g. shake hands before and after the game and say things like “good luck”, “thanks for the game” etc.) 
• Cooperate with your coach, team-mates and opponents without them there would be no competition. 
• Be on time for training sessions, matches and competitions so as not to disrupt the smooth running of their team. 
• Participate for your own enjoyment and benefit not just to please parents and coaches. 
• Play fair-no verbal abuse of officials, sledging other players (including vilification) or deliberately distracting or provoking an opponent. 
• Respect the rights dignity and worth of all participants regardless of their gender, ability, cultural background or religion.

I Understand and agree to abide by this Code of Conduct. I understand that failure to abide by this Code of Conduct will result in disciplinary action by the Club Executive Committee

Signed:_______________________________

Date:_________________________________

Countersigned :______________________

(Parent / Guardian)