Code of Conduct for Coaches
Coaches are responsible for the conduct of their players and the spectators on their side of the field, specifically as it relates to the referee, coaches, players and spectators on the other team. Verbal and/or physical abuse will not be tolerated. All persons coaching a team or teams within the Ardsley-North Hills Athletic Association must adhere to the following Code of Conduct.  

As a coach in the Ardsley-North Hills Athletic Association, I agree to:

   •  Remember that players participate for pleasure and winning is only part of the fun.

   •  Never ridicule or yell at players for making a mistake or not winning.

   •  Be reasonable in my demands on players’/parents’ time, energy and enthusiasm.

   •  Operate within the rules and spirit of the game and teach my players to do the same.

   •  Ensure that the time players spend with me is a positive experience. All players are deserving of attention and opportunities.

   •  Avoid overplaying talented players. All players deserve playing and training time, regardless of their ability.

   •  Ensure that equipment and facilities meet safety standards and are appropriate to the age, maturity and ability of all players.

   •  Display control, respect and professionalism to all involved with the sport. This includes, but is not limited to, opponents, coaches, officials, administrators, the media, parents and spectators. I will encourage my players to do the same.

   •  Show concern and caution toward sick and injured players. Follow the advice of a physician when determining whether an injured player is ready to practice or play.

   •  Keep up to date with the latest coaching practices and the principles of growth and development of young players.

   •  Understand that any physical contact with a player should be appropriate to the situation and necessary for the player's development.

   •  Respect the rights, dignity and worth of every young person regardless of their gender, ability, cultural background or religion.

   •  Believe that my role as a coach is to contribute to the overall success, physical, and athletic growth of the player through participation in the sport.

   •  Endeavor to be a good instructor and a positive role model for my players.

   •  Remember my behavior brings credit to myself, the Ardsley-North Hills Athletic Association and the sport itself.

   •  Believe that referees, just as coaches and players, are attempting to do their best.

   •  Understand that my attitude can influence the players, coaches and spectators.

   •  Demand a sports environment for my players that is free from drugs, tobacco, and alcohol and I will refrain from their use at all sports events.

Code of Conduct for Parents
As a parent of a player in the Ardsley-North Hills Athletic Association, I agree to:

   •  Be my child’s best fan!  Support my child unconditionally and make him/her feel like a winner every time!

   •  Be sure my child is available for most practices and games.  Practices are as important as games.  Children who simply don’t show up for practice and/or games are letting everybody down.  If I know my child is unable to attend a practice or game, I will give the coach advance notice to enable proper planning.

   •  Send my child ready to play.  My child will be dressed appropriate attire or in uniform and will arrive on time.

   •  Remember that children participate in sport for their enjoyment, not mine.

   •  Encourage children to participate, but do not force them.

   •  Focus on the child's efforts and performance, rather than winning or losing.

   •  Encourage children to play according to the rules and to settle disagreements without resorting to hostility or violence.

   •  Never ridicule or yell at a child for making a mistake or losing a game.

   •  Remember that children learn best by example. Appreciate good performances and skillful plays by all participants.

   •  Support all efforts to remove verbal and physical abuse from all sports activities.

   •  Respect the decisions of officials and teach children to do likewise.

   •  Learn the rules of the game and the policies/procedures of Ardsley-North Hills Athletic Association and their playing fields.

   •  Respect the rights, dignity and worth of every young person regardless of their gender, ability, cultural background or religion.

   •  Show appreciation for volunteer coaches, officials and administrators. Without them, your child could not participate.

   •  Be kind to my child's coach, other volunteers, board members and officials. They are volunteers, giving of their personal time to provide a recreational activity for your child. They are providing a valuable community service, often without reward other than their personal satisfaction.

   •  Believe that referees, just as coaches and players, are attempting to do their best. I will refrain from speaking to officials, unless it is to say thank you after the game.  If I have questions or concerns with the referees, I will speak to the coach after the game or at practice.

   •  Understand that my attitude can influence the players, coaches and spectators.

   •  Demand a sports environment for my child that is free from drugs, tobacco, and alcohol and I will refrain from their use at all sports events.  

   •  Report to the coach all injuries, special medical conditions (such as asthma) or extenuating circumstances (such as lack of sleep or family crisis) that may affect the player.


Code of Conduct for Spectators
Parents and players are responsible for the conduct of their guests.  All spectators at practices or games for the Ardsley-North Hills Athletic Association must adhere to the following Code of Conduct.  

As a spectator of the Ardsley-North Hills Athletic Association, I agree to:

   •  Remember that young people participate for their enjoyment and benefit, not yours.

   •  Applaud good performance and efforts from all individuals and teams. Congratulate all participants on their performance regardless of the game's outcome.

   •  Respect the decisions of officials and teach players to do the same.

   •  Never ridicule or scold a player for making a mistake. Positive comments are motivational.

   •  Condemn the use of violence in any form, whether it is by spectators, coaches, officials or players.

   •  Show respect for your team's opponents. Without them, there would be no game.

   •  Encourage players to follow the rules and the decisions of officials.

   •  Not use foul language or harass players, coaches or officials.

   •  Respect the rights, dignity and worth of every young person regardless of their gender, ability, cultural background or religion.

   •  Believe that referees, just as coaches and players, are attempting to do their best

   •  Understand that my attitude can influence the players, coaches and spectators.
  
   •  Demand a sports environment for the children that is free from drugs, tobacco,
     and alcohol and I will refrain from their use at all sports events.

 

Code of Conduct for Players
As a player of the Ardsley-North Hills Athletic Association, I agree to:

   •  Play by the rules.

   •  Remember that practices are just as important as games and my attendance helps my team.  I will notify my coach if I must miss a practice or a game.

   •  Never argue with a referee or assistant referee. If I disagree I will speak with my coach.

   •  Control my temper and maintain control over my emotions. I will avoid negative comments and/or gestures, and I know that deliberately distracting or provoking an opponent is not acceptable or permitted behavior in sports.

   •  Work hard for myself and my team. My team's performance will benefit from hard work,
as will I.

   •  Be a good sport; applaud all good plays whether they are made by my team or the opposition.

   •  Treat all participants in the sport as I like to be treated. I will not bully or take unfair advantage of another competitor.

   •  Cooperate with your coach, teammates and opponents. Without them there would be no game.

   •  Participate for my own enjoyment and benefit, not just to please parents and coaches.

   •  Respect the rights, dignity and worth of all participants regardless of their gender, ability, cultural background or religion.

   •  Believe that referees, just as coaches and players, are attempting to do their best.

   •  Understand that my attitude can influence the players, coaches and spectators.

   •  Play for the fun of the sport!

 
Rules for the Ardsley-North Hills Playing Fields

• Smoking is NOT PERMITTED on the fields or in the parking lots surrounding our fields.
• Pets are NOT PERMITTED on the fields at any time.
• Drive slowly and carefully through the parking lots and streets surrounding our fields.
• Children are NOT to be left UNATTENDED.
   

Procedures
The intention of this code of conduct is to create and maintain a safe and positive environment for participants and spectators at all Ardsley-North Hills Athletic Association’s functions.

Should a coach, parent, spectator or player violate the code, an incident report will be completed and a Review Board will be established.  The Review Board will be made up of four current Board Members, included two members of the Executive Board. The Review Board will conduct an investigation of the reported violation and meet with the person(s) involved, to determine the outcome, up to and including removal of offender from club activities. 

The Review Board’s decisions are final.  For player violations, a refund of registration fees will not be permitted, should the player be removed from his/her team.