Code of Conduct for ELAC &  WCLAC promotes the following code of behaviour:

 

Athletes

• "It isn’t whether you win or lose, but how you play the game!"

• Compete and train for the “fun of it”, not just to please your parents or coach.

• Play by the rules.

• Never argue with an officials decision. Let your Centre Manager or Coach ask any necessary questions.

• Control your temper – no “mouthing off”, breaking equipment, throwing implements or other equipment.

• Work equally for yourself and your team in relay and heats events, your team’s performance will benefit and so will your own.Be a good sport.

• Cheer all good performances, whether your club mates or your opponents.

• Treat all athletes, as you would like to be treated.

• Don’t interfere with, bully or take unfair advantage of any athlete.

• Remember that the goal of training or competition is to have fun, improve your skills and feel good. Don’t be a “show-off” or brag about your own performances.

• Co-operate with your coach, club mates and opponents, for without them you don’t have a competition.

Parents

• "A child’s basic training in good sportsmanship comes from the home!"

• If children are interested, encourage them to participate. However, if your child is not willing, do not force him or her.

• Focus upon your child’s efforts and performance rather than the overall outcome of the event. This assists your child in setting realistic goals related to his/her ability by reducing the emphasis on winning.

• Teach your child that honest effort is as important as victory, so that the result of each competition is accepted without undue disappointment.

• Encourage your child to always participate according to the rules.

• Never ridicule or yell at your child for making a mistake or losing a competition or event.

• Remember children are involved in organised sports for their enjoyment– not yours.

• Remember that children learn best by example and applaud good performances by all athletes.

• If you disagree with an official, raise the issue through the appropriate channels rather than question the official’s judgement and honesty in public. Remember that most officials give their time and effort for your child’s involvement.

• Support all efforts to remove verbal and physical abuse from children’s sporting activities.

• Recognised that value and importance of volunteer coaches. They give of their time and resources to provide recreational activities for your child.

• Demonstrate appropriate social behaviour- by not harassing athletes, parents, coaches or officials; smoking at the arena or being intoxicated. 

• Avoid use of bad language.

 

Administrators, Officials and Spectators

• In Little Athletics these people are mostly Parents temporarily performing a different function.

• Remember to behave as a parent at all times, don’t adopt a different code of behaviour just because your role has temporarily changed.

• Refer to codes for Parents above.
   

Coaches

• "The best coaches are more interested in their athlete’s well being than whether they win or lose!"

• Be reasonable in your demands on the young athletes’ time, energy and enthusiasm.

• Remember that they have other interests.

• Teach your athletes that rules of the sport are mutual agreements, which no one should evade or break.

• When coaching, group athletes according to age, height, skill and physical maturity whenever possible.

• Avoid over-attention to the talented athletes. The “just-average” athletes need and deserve equal time.

• Remember that children compete for fun and enjoyment and that winning is only part of their motivation. Never ridicule or yell at the children for making mistakes or losing in a competition.

• Ensure that equipment and facilities meet safety standards and are appropriate to the age and ability of the athletes.

• The scheduling and length of coaching practice times at competitions should take into consideration the maturity level of the children.

• Develop each athlete’s respect for the ability of opponents, as well as for the judgement of officials and opposing athletes.

• Follow the advice of a sports medicine physician when determining when an injured athlete is ready to compete or practice again.

• Remember that children need a coach they can respect. Be generous with your praise when it is deserved and set a good example.

• Make a personal commitment to keep yourself informed on sound coaching principles and the principles of growth and development of children.

• Encourage children to participate if they are interested. However, if a child is not willing, do not force him or her. 

• Focus upon the child’s efforts rather than the overall outcome of the event. This assists the children in setting realistic goals related to his/her own ability by reducing the emphasis on winning. 

• Teach children that an honest effort is as important as victory, so that the result of each event is accepted without undue disappointment. 

• Encourage children to always participate according to the rules. 

• Never ridicule or yell at a child for making a mistake or losing an event. Remember children are involved in Little Athletics for their enjoyment, not yours. 

• If you disagree with an official, raise the issue through the appropriate channels rather than questioning the official’s judgement and honesty in public. Remember, most officials volunteer their time and effort for your child’s involvement. 

• Support all efforts to remove all verbal and physical abuse at Little Athletics activities. 

• Recognise the value and importance of being a volunteer official and/or coach. They give their time and resources to provide recreational activities for the children and deserve your support. 

• Demonstrate appropriate social behaviour- by not harassing athletes, parents, coaches or officials; smoking at the arena or being intoxicated. 

• Avoid use of bad language.

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NOTE: Parental or Guardian Attendance required at all times.

Children are not to be dropped off at the track; they must have a parent/guardian present at all times or you can have arranged for your child to be watched by another family IF you have organised this with said family. Please make sure club knows in case of emergency who is looking after your child.

 

Children found without supervision will not be permitted to compete. Should a child be left unattended for an extended period of time the police may be called.

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Complaints

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Complaints concerning competition events MUST be directed through your Club Team Manager. If your complaint cannot be dealt with immediately, you will be requested to put the complaint in writing. Under NO circumstances are you to approach a chief, age group team manager or any other official in a public forum (See Code of Behaviour above).

 

The longer you leave your complaint, the harder it will be for the committee to investigate. Complaints about the general running of the Centre should be referred to the Centre Secretary in writing.

 

Please do not write or phone Little Athletics Victoria, your complaint will only be referred back to the Centre. There are set procedures for handling complaints but they must start at the appropriate level.

 

When considering whether a complaint is justified, please remember that we are all volunteers and our priority is for the enjoyment of all children at the Centre.

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