The following PARENT/LEGAL GUARDIAN CODE OF CONDUCT provides essential and valuable information to help parents understand and appreciate the expectations set forth by Eagle FC, and they are as follows:
COMMITMENT
I/We
- Will attend all practices, games, and other team events unless there are conflicts with academics, family emergencies (e.g., serious family illness or death in the family), or other related life events (e.g., family weddings, reunions, birthdays, or anniversaries). Vacations, weekend trips, and non-relative birthday parties are not considered acceptable “life events.” Please plan accordingly to avoid practice, match, and tournament conflicts. Eagle FC is a year-round soccer program. Players must be committed to their team.
- Will give reasonable notice. Should I/We need to miss a practice, game, or other team events, I/We will make the necessary arrangements to communicate (e.g., via phone, text, or email) to the head coach at least twenty-four (24) hours in advance or as soon as possible.
- Will notify the head coach as soon as possible if we must reduce our long-term commitment due to family matters, illness, injury, or poor academic performance. All injured players are expected to attend and support their team at matches.
- Will participate in all tournament events. Tournaments are crucial to the team as they promote Eagle FC players. Teams apply for tournaments months in advance and must go through a rigorous, formal application process; admission is not guaranteed, and fees are paid far in advance.
- Will be on-time and ready to play. Parent(s)/legal guardian(s) are expected to make every effort to get their child(ren) to practices and games on-time and adequately equipped.
SPORTSMANSHIP & CONDUCT
I/We
- Will be supportive of the players, coaches, team(s), and organization. The most important way to show support is by being a positive example within the community. Maintaining a positive disposition is an integral part of teaching proper sportsmanship.
- Will not communicate with game officials. During games, scrimmages, and friendlies, parents should not speak with or shout at game officials, members of the opposing team (e.g., opposing parents and players), or interfere with the match in any way.
- Will not coach or speak with any player, including our child(ren), during practices, scrimmages, friendlies, or games.
- Will not pull our child(ren) off to the sideline, approach, or talk to them during practices, scrimmages, friendlies, or games. Many times, parents are shouting/giving advice that is contrary to what the coach has instructed a player to do. It is very distracting to that player or other players on the field. Just remember to encourage, applaud, and cheer with positive words.
- WILL NOT COACH! For instance, words/phrases like “go,” “shoot,” “pass,” and “dribble” are interpreted as instructions and are not acceptable from parents. Examples of words/phrases that are acceptable are “good try,” “nice shot,” or “keep up the good work.”
- Will not insult, shove, or punch an official, coach, player, or parent during a sporting event. This action constitutes assault, and violators may be subject to arrest and prosecution.
- Will do our best to encourage other parents/legal guardians and sideline guests to observe these rules to maintain a positive decorum. In line with the Positive Coaching Alliance (PCA), I/We will encourage each team to have a “Culture Keeper” to help keep a positive, controlled sideline.
POSITION ASSIGNMENTS & PLAYING TIME POLICY
I/We
- Understand that coaches make the final decision related to a player’s position and playing time. Playing time will be based on a team’s age-group, competitive playing level, a player’s technical/tactical ability, a player’s attendance, a player’s attitude, a player’s work ethic/work rate, a player’s previous/current performance level at practices and games, and the time of year (i.e., State Cup). Eagle FC coaches are expected to provide positive and encouraging instruction in all areas of soccer, including skills, team play, strategy, conduct, and conditioning.
PARENT(S)/LEGAL GUARDIAN(S) FEEDBACK & PRIVATE CONFERENCES
I/We
- Will arrange parent/coach meetings in advance, so as not to interfere with the coach’s practice or game preparations. I/We will not approach the head coach or assistant coaches before or after a game. I/We will, after any match, will allow for a twenty-four (24) hour cooling off period before contacting the head coach or assistant coaches. Eagle FC coaches do encourage one-on-one conversations with parents to discuss any feedback concerning a player’s or team’s performance.
TEAM BUSINESS
I/We
- Representation: Conducting team business is the sole responsibility of the head coach, assistant coaches, or Eagle FC directors. No parent(s)/legal guardian(s) or player(s) should represent themselves as an official of Eagle FC to officials of other soccer or non-soccer organizations.
- Parent(s)/Legal Guardian(s) Meetings: Coaches will organize periodic meetings with parent(s)/legal guardian(s) to discuss team business. Team meetings will be held just after player/team tryouts in June, at the beginning and end of league play (e.g., fall/spring seasons), and before or after tournament events. Attendance at team meetings is mandatory.
- Grievance Procedure: Allegations of non-performance or misconduct of a coach, assistant coach, or team manager/treasurer should be pursued through the Eagle FC Grievance Committee. This committee includes the president, vice president, executive director, and director of coaching. Please contact the Eagle FC executive director and/or director of coaching to file any grievance/complaint.
ZERO TOLERANCE
I/We
- Parent(s)/Legal Guardian(s) whose actions are deemed inappropriate and don’t adhere to the PARENT/LEGAL GUARDIAN CODE OF CONDUCT will be dealt with in the team setting first. If the problem persists or is severe enough to warrant an elevated response, the Eagle FC Grievance Committee will review the situation and will determine appropriate action. Appropriate action could result in a verbal/written warning, suspension, or possible dismissal from the organization.
