Coaches Code of Conduct

Article 1. Policy Statement

Union City Youth Soccer League and UC Premier (collectively “UCYSL” or “the Club”) exist to foster and advance soccer programs that promote Good Sportsmanship, Honesty, Loyalty, and Courage through organized athletic
competition.

Our mission is to provide a safe, clean, and exemplary atmosphere for the children and parents of the program to enjoy the game of soccer. The Coaches Code of Conduct is intended to further ensure that the playing experience is in accordance with these ideas and principles.

Article 2. Scope/Coverage

This policy applies to all UCYSL coaches.

Article 3. United Soccer Coaches Code of Ethics

UCYSL coaches shall adhere to the United Soccer Coaches (USC) Code of Ethics (revised 2001):

1. Soccer is the players’ game. The paramount concern of coaches is the holistic development, welfare, enjoyment and safety of their players.

2. Coaches bear responsibility for teaching their players to strive for success while playing fairly, observing the Laws of the Game and the highest levels of sportsmanship.

3. Coaches shall treat officials with respect and dignity and shall teach their players to do the same.

4. Our opponents are worthy of being treated with respect. Coaches will model such respect for opponents and expect their players to do likewise.

5. In both victory and defeat, the behavior of a coach shall model grace, dignity and composure.

6. Coaches shall adhere to the highest standards and the regulations of the institutions they represent: clubs, schools, sponsoring organizations and sports governing bodies.

7. Coaches have a responsibility to promote the interests of soccer, including treating media with courtesy, honesty and respect.

8. Coaches shall model inclusive behavior, actively supporting cultural diversity while opposing all types of discrimination, including, but not limited to, racism and sexism, at all levels of soccer.

9. Coaches are responsible for taking an active role in education about, and prevention and treatment of, drug, alcohol and tobacco abuse, both in their own lives and in the lives of their players.

10. Coaches shall refrain from all manner of personal abuse and harassment of others, whether verbal, physical, emotional or sexual, and shall oppose such abuse and harassment at all levels of soccer.

11. Coaches shall respect the declared affiliations of all players and shall adhere to all guidelines and regulations on recruiting established by the governing bodies having oversight of their teams and leagues.

12. Coaches shall seek to honor those who uphold the highest standards and principles of soccer and shall use appropriate protocol to oppose and eliminate all behavior that brings disrepute to the sport – violence,
abuse, dishonesty, disrespect and violations of the Laws of the Game and rules governing competition.

Article 4. UCYSL Code of Conduct

UCYSL coaches shall adhere to the UCYSL Code of Conduct.

Article 5. Duty of Care

UCYSL coaches shall conform to the Risk Management policies identified by the Club. These include:

1. Prioritization of and support for the physical, mental, and emotional well-being of the children in their care.

2. Adherence to the SafeSport code and local/state/federal laws involving contact with children and reporting of inappropriate behavior.

3. Implementation of and conformance to US Youth Soccer and US Club Soccer concussion protocols.

Article 6. Responsibility for Team

1. The head coach shall ensure that all team parents/guardians have received and acknowledged the UCYSL Code of Conduct.

2. The head coach is responsible for the sideline actions of players, parents, and spectators.

3. The head coach shall ensure that any sanctions imposed on players, parents, or spectators as the result of actions by the PAD Committee, leagues, or tournaments are executed correctly. This includes (but is not
limited to): the submission or withholding of player credentials, affirmation on game sheets of suspension compliance.

Article 7. Documentation

1. All UCYSL coaches shall provide documentation to the Club as requested within mandated Club deadlines. This includes (but not limited to): coaching biographical information, coaching license certifications, SafeSport certification, concussion training certification, other mandatory certifications and documents as required by the Club.

2. All UCYSL coaches are required to submit a personal photograph suitable for credentialing within mandated Club deadlines.

3. All UCYSL coaches shall submit to background check(s) as required by the Club and sanctioning organizations within mandated Club deadlines.

Article 8. Communication
Section 8.01 Club

1. The head coach shall file an Incident Report with UCYSL within 48 hours upon any of the following actions:

(1) player/coach send-off, (2) parent dismissal, (3) match abandonment, (4) violations of the Code of Conduct. The Incident Report shall include the location of the incident, day and time, the name(s) of the individuals (including the referees, if appropriate), and a description of the incident.

2. The head coach shall communicate in a timely manner to the Club Director of Coaching any concerns, issues, or problems that may affect the well-being of the players or operation of the team per Duty of Care within confidentiality requirements of mandatory reporting. Likewise, parent conflicts that affect the operation of the team shall be reported to the Director of Coaching.

3. All UCYSL coaches shall participate in Club mandatory coaching education.

4. UCYSL coaches shall comply with the Protest, Appeals, and Disciplinary (PAD) procedures of the Club.

Section 8.02 Parents/Guardians

1. UCYSL coaches shall communicate with parents/guardians in a respectful manner, recognizing their responsibilities to the children in their care.

Section 8.03 Players

1. UCYSL coaches shall refrain from foul or abusive language when addressing players.

2. UCYSL coaches shall treat players in a manner reflecting their roles as adults engaged in the education of minor children.

3. Player behavior issues that affect the operation of the team and which cannot be resolved between the coach and player shall be reported to the parent/guardian and Club Director of Coaching.

Article 9. Failure to Perform

Violations of the Coaches Code of Conduct may be referred to the Club PAD Committee for investigation and possible sanctions including suspension, probation, and/or termination from the Club.