CODES OF CONDUCT

Participants, be they players, coaches, team managers, spectators or parents in this wonderful game of basketball, get involved for many different reasons.

The Club thought it was timely at the start of the season to set out broadly our expectations about the standards of the competition.

With the growth of the competition we believe it is important that all participants understand how the Club wants them to assist in maintaining a vibrant, growing, healthy and safe competition.

Players Code of Conduct | Administrators Code of Conduct | Spectators Code of Conduct
Parents Code of Conduct | Coaches Code of Conduct | The Team Bench Code of Conduct

Players Code of Conduct

• Never argue with an official. If you disagree, have your captain, coach or manager approach the referee during a break or after the game in an appropriate manner.
• Control your temper. Verbal abuse of officials or other players, deliberately distracting or provoking an opponent is not acceptable or permitted in basketball.
• Work equally hard for yourself and for your team. Your team’s performance will benefit, so will you.
• Be a good sport. Acknowledge all good plays whether they are by your team or the other team.
• Treat all players as you would like to be treated. Do not interfere with, bully or take unfair advantage of another player.
• Cooperate with your coach, team-mates and opponents. Without them there would be no competition.
• Play for the “fun of it” and not just to please parents and coaches.
• Avoid use of derogatory language based on gender, race or impairment.
• Be prepared to lose sometimes. Everyone wins and loses at some time. Be a fair winner and good loser.

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Administrators Code of Conduct

• Involve children in the planning, leadership, evaluation and decision making related to the activity.
• Ensure that equal opportunities for participation in sports made available to all children, regardless of ability, size, shape, gender, age, disability or ethnic origin.
• Equipment and facilities must be sage and appropriate to the ability level of participating children.
• Rules, equipment, length of games and training schedules should take into consideration the age, ability and maturity level of participating children.
• Ensure that adequate supervision’s provided by qualified and competent coaches and officials capable of developing appropriate sports behavior and skills.
• Remember that as children they play for enjoyment, downplay the importance of awards.
• Avoid allowing basketball programs to become primarily spectator entertainment. Focus on the needs of the participants rather than the enjoyment of the spectators.
• Provide clinics aimed at improving the standards of coaching and officiating, with an emphasis on appropriate sports behavior and skills.
• Distribute codes of conduct sheets to spectators, officials, parents, coaches and players.

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Spectators Code of Conduct

• Remember children play sport for fun. They are not playing for the entertainment of spectators. They are not miniature professionals.
• Applaud good performances from each team. Congratulate all players regardless of the outcome.
• Respect the referee’s decision. If there is a disagreement, follow the appropriate procedure in order to query the decision.
• Never ridicule or scold a child for making a mistake during competition. Be positive.
• Condemn the use of violence in any form, be it by spectators, coaches, or players.
• Sow respect for your team’s opponents, without them, there would be no game.
• Use commonsense to ensure that overcalling violations does not lose the “spirit of the game” for children.
• Publicly encourage rule changes, which will reinforce the principles.
• Demonstrate appropriate social behavior by not using foul language, harassing players, coaches or officials.
• Avoid use of derogatory language based on gender, race or impairment.

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Parents Code of Conduct

• Encourage children to participate if they are interested. If they are not, don’t force them.
• Focus on playing the game, reducing the emphasis on winning.
• Teach children to always play by the rules.
• Do not criticize children in front of others, but reserve constructive criticism for more private moments.
• Remember children are involved in sport for their enjoyment, not yours.
• Remember a child learns best by example. Applaud good play by all teams.
• Accept decisions of all referees as being fair and called to the best of their ability. Do not raise issues of disagreement publicly.
• Do not criticize opposing team members or supporters by word or gesture.
• Set a good example by your own conduct, behavior and appearance.
• Support all efforts to remove verbal and physical abuse from sporting activities.
• Avoid use of derogatory language based on gender, race or impairment.
• Any concerns must be directed to the Team Manager. Do not raise any issues directly with coach.
• Show appreciation of volunteer coaches, officials and administrators. Without them, your child could not participate.
• Always keep in mind the philosophy of the Club, which is based on fun and participation. Remember also, that the Club’s philosophy mirrors that of the Hawthorn Basketball Association.
• Respect the Team Manager’s decisions. By following the code of conduct, any decisions will be in the best interest of the entire team. Do not overly interfere in the Team Manager’s role.
• Support your Team Manager by taking on tasks when asked to do so. ALL parents are expected to do stadium duty at some stage. Ensure every parent shares the load.

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Coaches Code of Conduct

• Be reasonable in your demands on young players’ time, energy and enthusiasm.
• Teach your players that rules of the game are mutual agreements, which no one should evade or break.
• Whenever possible, group players according to age, height, skills and maturity.
• Avoid over-playing the talented players. The “just-average” players need, and deserve, equal time.
• Remember that children play for fun and enjoyment and that winning is only part of their motivation. Never ridicule children for making mistakes, or losing a game.
• Ensure that equipment and facilities meet safety standards and are appropriate to the age and ability of the players.
• The scheduling and length of practice times and competition should take into consideration the maturity level of players.
• Develop team respect for the ability of opponents as well as for the judgment of officials and opposing coaches.
• Follow the advice of a physician when determining when an injured player is ready to recommence play.
• Be aware of the role of the coach as an educator. As well as imparting knowledge and skills, promote desirable personal and social behaviors.
• Seek to keep abreast of changes in the sport; ensure that the information used is up to date, appropriate to the needs of players and takes account of the principles of growth and development of children.

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The Team Bench Code of Conduct

• The bench is there for players not on the court playing, and the Coach.
• The team bench, under the rules, is part of the game.
• Anyone sitting on the team bench is classifies as part of the team and as such, is subject to the rules.
• The Coach is responsible for everyone who sits on the bench.
• Comments or actions by anyone who sits on the bench, if in the judgment of the referee are derogatory to players, the other coach or the referees, could be penalized by a ‘bench technical foul.’ The penalty is 2 shots to the other team and possession after the second shot (no foul line up) from mid court. A heavy penalty!
• Anyone who decides to sit on the team bench should understand his or her obligations.

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