Failure to uphold the Code of Conduct standards, and those outlined in the WYSL Sportsmanship Guidelines, will result in sanctions and the implementation of additional safeguards.

FC Somers Players pledge to:

• Play by the rules, for the fun of it, not just to please parents or coaches.
• Always give best effort.
• Never argue with or complain about the referee’s calls or decisions.
• Control emotions, and resist the temptation to retaliate.
• Let the referee be the judge of intent.
• Applaud good play from either team.
• Be respectful of players from either team, coaches and referee.
• Come to practices and games on time and prepared.
• Report racial slurs to the referee or your coach during a game so the issue can me resolved immediately.

FC Somers Coaches, Trainers, and Managers pledge to:

• Understand that they are dealing with children or teenagers, and coach accordingly.
• Impress on players to abide by the rules of the game at all times.
• Ensure that players’ soccer experience is one of development, improvement and enjoyment.
• Further coaching education by taking additional licenses or attending courses or clinics.
• Instill, with parental help, a proper attitude and values in the players.
• Not question referee decisions nor engage in debate with opposition coaches.
• Ensure that the dialogue with players is positive and will be encouraged to observe what is happening in games rather than coach every action occurring on the field.
• Check equipment and facilities, prior to practice and games.
• Follow the advice of a physician when determining when an injured child is ready to play again.
• Coaches and all team officials serve at the pleasure of the Commissioner FC Somers.
• Understand that by taking on an official role on the team, officials are representatives of FC Somers whenever or wherever the team and players practice or play.
• Understand that the team is a team, and as such decisions regarding the team should not be center around the need, desires or interests of individual players or officials.

FC Somers Parents pledge to:

• Not offer any coaching instruction during games or training sessions.
• Never question refereeing decisions.
• Never make disparaging remarks about any player on the field.
• Always avoid disputes with opposing fans.
• Applaud good play from either team.
• Watch this 2 minute video
• Manage disputes between players away from the soccer field, through parent-parent discussion, and, as you see fit, getting the players together to “clear the air”.
• Adult interaction with players (other than their own). Notwithstanding the fact that your child may be having a difficult time with a teammate, under no circumstances are you to raise your concerns directly with the teammate by any medium (face-to-face, phone, email, text, etc.).  Taking the matter into your own hands by, for instance, reprimanding the teammate is totally inappropriate and unacceptable.  Purely and simply, this is a line that cannot be crossed.In this area, the Board will be adopting a “zero tolerance” approach.  Parents who transgress will be banned from games and practices and obliged to take a Postitive Coaching Alliance –  Second Goal Parent online course, at their own expense, prior to being allowed return to club activities on a probationary basis.