Failure to uphold the Code of Conduct standards will result in sanctions, the implementation of additional safeguards and potential suspension from the Club.

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 from either team and referee.
• Come to practices and games on time and prepared.
• Report racial and ethnic slurs to the referee or your coach during a game so the issue can be 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.
• 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 Positive Coaching Alliance – Second Goal Parent online course, at their own expense, prior to being allowed return to club activities on a probationary basis.