Cottage Grove United Soccer

The Cottage Grove Traveling Soccer Club sponsors youth soccer activity with the goal of providing our children an opportunity to develop superior life skills through team play, sportsmanship, top competition, and hard work. Our mission is to provide Cottage Grove youth the opportunity to play soccer at the highest level commensurate with their individual ability, potential, and interest. An emphasis on fair play and respect for all participants is a primary element of our club’s mission. To better achieve that mission, we provide the following Code of Conduct for all Cottage Grove players.

These Codes of Conduct are a covenant between Cottage Grove players, parents, and coaches to abide by the rules and regulations of the game, as well as to maintain a cooperative attitude and uphold the ideals of fair play and sportsmanship. These Codes express our core values and goals. It is essential they be honored and followed.

The Codes of Conduct can be summarized in the following three principles: (1) Demonstrating a positive attitude; (2) Setting a good example; and (3) Maintaining good relationships with all youth soccer participants - including officials, opponents, and our own teams’ players, parents, and coaches.

Players, parents, and coaches are expected to show a positive, respectful attitude for everyone involved in the sport. Criticism and disrespect for officials, opponents, coaches or fans undermine the purpose of sport and encourage behavior contrary to the spirit of the game and the mission of CGAATSD.

Each person associated with CGAATSD is accountable for his/her own behavior at all times on or off the field of play. Parents, coaches and other adults should remember that children learn by example - it is up to the adults to set good examples. CGAATSD will not tolerate conduct that is detrimental to the sport, the participants, or the community. Such conduct includes: Vulgarity by coaches, players or parents; harassment or belittling of officials, coaches or players; verbal abuse, threats or physical violence toward anyone before, during or after a match; and the taunting of opposing players, coaches and parents. A player, who fails to abide by these rules, will be suspended for practices and one league game and any tournament game immediately following the first offense. The second offense will require suspension for a length of two league games and all practices. The third offense will result in suspension for the remainder of the season.

We require thorough self-restraint by all participants - both players and adults.

Teams must exercise appropriate control over those who fail to control themselves.

Officials - The referee's job is a difficult one. All referees are human and they do make mistakes. Parents or players who believe their team has been treated unfairly or has been assigned an unqualified referee should speak to their coach after the game. Coaches should inform the appropriate club officials about blatant officiating problems. Managers should make reports through appropriate channels, including mail evaluations where available.

In accordance with FIFA laws, verbal abuse toward a referee can result in a red card and ejection for the player, coach or parent. Referees have the authority to suspend play if a coach does not control his players and parents/supporters.

Opponents - Players and coaches are required to maintain a sense of fair play and be respectful of opposing players, coaches and fans at all times. Sportsmanship begins with respect. Without it, the positive competitive environment, which should be a perfect classroom for learning the values of soccer, is completely undermined. Occasionally we will encounter opponents who do not share our values and high standards. If we allow ourselves to be drawn down to their level, we will have lost regardless of the final score.

Our Own Team - In an environment where our children are competing not only against other teams but also frequently against each other, it can be difficult to control jealousies and rivalries. A successful team resembles a family in that members put their own needs second, behind the greater good of the team. Great care must be taken not to undermine the coaches’ authority. As in most cases, parental example is all-important.

It is a privilege to play on a travel soccer team. As a CGAATSD player, I will:

1. Play the game for the game’s sake, and not just to please my parents or coach.
2. Be modest and generous when I win and gracious when I lose.
3. Respect the game of soccer and its laws, learn these laws and try to follow them, and play the game fairly.
4. Work for the good of my team and give my best effort at all times.
5. Show respect for the authority of the referee, even though I will sometimes disagree with his/her calls.
6. Show good sportsmanship before, during, and after games. I understand that soccer is a game, and that the players on the other team are my opponents, not my enemies.
7. Conduct myself with honor and dignity and treat other players as I would like to be treated.
8. Help my parents and fans understand the laws of the game so they can watch and enjoy the game better. I will be sure they understand that dissent is not permitted in travel soccer leagues.
9. Control my temper and not retaliate, even if I believe I have been wronged.
10. Not use or possess tobacco, alcohol, or illegal or performance-enhancing drugs.

Acknowledgement

I have read, understand and hereby agree to abide by and support this Player’s Code of Conduct.

Player’s name: __________________________________________________

Today’s date: 
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Player’s signature:
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Team:
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