It is a privilege to play soccer for SKV. As an SKV player, I will:

• Play the game for the game’s sake, and not just to please my parents or coach.
• Be modest and generous when I win and gracious when I lose.
• Respect the game of soccer and its laws, learn these laws and try to follow them, and play the game fairly.
• Work for the good of my team and give my best effort at all times.
• Show respect for the authority of the referee, even though I will sometimes disagree with his/her calls.
• Show good sportsmanship before, during, and after games. I understand that soccer is a game, and that the players on the other team are my opponents, not my enemies.
• Conduct myself with honor and dignity and treat other players as I would like to be treated.
• Help my parents and fans understand the laws of the game so they can watch and enjoy the game better. I will be sure they understand that dissent is not appropriate or permitted at league or tournament games.
• Control my temper and not retaliate, even if I believe I have been wronged.
• Not use or possess tobacco, alcohol, or illegal or performance-enhancing drugs.

Player consequences will be determined by the team coach, Director of Coaching, Executive Director, and/or Board of Directors for violations of the player Code of Conduct.

As a parent, you play a special role in the development of your daughter or son, and of his/her teammates. Your encouragement and good example will do more to ensure good sportsmanship and self-discipline than any other influence. The other team is the opponent, not the enemy, and should be treated with respect. While winning is important, playing well and fairly is the essence of the game.

SUPPORT YOUR CHILD

Support your child by giving encouragement and showing interest in his/her team. Help your child work toward skill improvement and good sportsmanship in every game. Teach your child that hard work and an honest effort are often more important than victory.

BE SUPPORTIVE AND YOUR CHILD'S BIGGEST CHEERLEADER

Children learn more by example than by criticism. Work to be a positive role model, and reinforce positive behavior in others. Applaud good plays by others on your child's team as well as good plays by the opposing team. Do not criticize any child’s performance from the sidelines. Accept the results of each game. Teach your child to be gracious in victory and to turn defeat into victory by learning and working toward improvement.

DON'T BE A SIDELINE COACH OR REF

Refrain from coaching or refereeing from the sidelines. Parents who shout or scream from the sidelines often give inappropriate advice at the wrong time. The coach should be the only sideline voice. Remain well back from the sidelines and within the spectator area. You and your child will both enjoy the game more if you put some emotional distance between yourself and the field or play. Officials are symbols of fair play, integrity and sportsmanship - Do not openly question their judgment or honesty.

DEMONSTRATE A POSITIVE ATTITUDE TOWARD YOUR OPPONENTS AND THEIR FAMILIES

Opponents are not enemies. Take care to show good hospitality at home and to represent SKV in a positive way when playing other clubs. Never allow yourself to be drawn into a verbal disagreement with opposing parents or coaches. No one has ever regretted letting “cooler heads prevail.”

REMEMBER THAT YOUR CHILD WANTS TO HAVE FUN

Your child is the one playing soccer, not you. Children must establish their own goals - to play the game for themselves. Take care not to impose unreasonable demands on your child. Let your children experience the fun of playing as well as the challenge of excelling.

SKV Parents will set a good example for their child in his/her soccer development by adhering at all times to the following.  I/We will:

• Not criticize the referee openly or directly, during or after games. Any criticism shall be done in writing, sent to my coach and/or my club representative, not verbally.
• Give only positive feedback to players.
• Cheer at all games within the spirit of fair play and shall do our best to cheer the effort regardless of the outcome. We will be mindful in “lopsided” game where cheering our own “winning” team might be misunderstood.
• Do our best to teach our players to become students of the game.
• Show the quality of our sportsmanship during and after each game and help our child remember to thank the referee after the match without regard to the result.
• Do our very best to have our child prepared for every game.
• Support the learning efforts of the players, the coaches, and the referees by demonstrating our patience.
• Understand that improper behavior at a game may result in a parent being asked to leave the field by the referee, the SKV, or a club official so the coach does not receive a yellow card caution or a red card ejection due to the action of the parent spectator.
• Leave the coaching to the coach during the game. We shall not give our child instructions during the game.
• Understand that the leagues can, and will if necessary, suspend our individual privilege to watch our child play should we behave in a manner that is rude or otherwise offensive.
• Agree to do our best to have as much fun watching the game as the players should have playing the game.

The 24hr rule is a rule that is in place to help keep peace between the coach and parent’s.  The rule is simple. Parents are not allowed to approach the coach about issues until 24hrs after the competition.

Reasons for the rule:

1. To allow the parent’s to calm down after the issue has developed
2. Allow the coach to calm down after the competition
3. Give parents and coaches time to think about the problem
4. To prevent any unnecessary acts or scenes in front of players and other parent’s
5. Calmer heads will prevail
6. To stop any embarrassing moments in front of the Players or child
7. The hope that time to think about the issues will help to solve the problem in a positive manner and the right resolution

Sometimes in the heat of the moment parent’s and coaches say things that they really don’t mean. This can hurt the player or team because things where not handled correctly. The parent & Coach relationship is important, but the overall decisions should be based on what is best for the team and players. The rule is in place to help protect the players and team.

Violations of the Parent Code of Conduct may result in:

• A Parent being suspended and/or removed from a game/tournament by a referee for misconduct.
• A Coach being suspended and/or removed from a game/tournament by a referee for a misconduct.
• A Player being benched by the team’s coach for parent misconduct before, during, or after a game.
• A Member or Family could be released from the Club.