Codes of Conduct
Also refer to the LAVic website www.lavic.com.au for more information guidelines.
Officials’ Code of Behaviour
- Compliment all participants on their efforts.
- Be consistent, objective, and courteous in calling all infractions.
- Condemn unsporting behaviour and promote respect for all competitors.
- Ensure that the “spirit of the game” for children is not lost by using common sense and not over-emphasising errors.
- Ensure that equipment and facilities meet safety standards and are appropriate to the age and ability of the participants.
- Publicly encourage rule changes, which will reinforce the principles of participation for fun and enjoyment.
- Ensure that your behaviour is consistent with the principles of good sporting behaviour. Actions speak louder than words.
- Make a personal commitment to keep yourself informed of sound officiating principles and the principles of growth and development of children.
- Avoid use of bad language.
Parents’ Code of Behaviour
- Encourage children to participate if they are interested. However, if a child is not willing, do not force him or her.
- Focus upon the child’s efforts rather than the overall outcome of the event. This assists the children in setting realistic goals related to his/her own ability by reducing the emphasis on winning.
- Teach children that an honest effort is as important as victory, so that the result of each event is accepted without undue disappointment.
- Encourage children to always participate according to the rules.
- Never ridicule or yell at a child for making a mistake or losing an event.
- Remember children are involved in Little Athletics for their enjoyment, not yours.
- If you disagree with an official, do not question the official’s judgement and honesty in public, but raise the issue immediately through the Competition Director. If any breach of this code of behaviour is witnessed, the matter should be immediately referred to the Competition Director. If necessary, penalties including suspension from attending competition may be the outcome. Remember, all officials give their time and effort freely, for the benefit of your child’s involvement.
- Support all efforts to remove all verbal and physical abuse at Little Athletics activities.
- Recognise the value and importance of being a volunteer official and/or coach. They give up their time and resources to provide recreational activities for the children and deserve your support.
- Demonstrate appropriate social behaviour, by not harassing athletes, coaches, or officials, smoking on the arena or being intoxicated.
- Avoid use of bad language.
Spectators’ Code of Behaviour
- Remember that children participate in Little Athletics activities for fun. They are not participating for the entertainment of spectators only, nor are they miniature professionals.
- Applaud good performances and efforts from each athlete. Congratulate all participants upon their performance regardless of the event outcome.
- Respect the officials’ decisions. If there is a disagreement, do not question the official’s judgement and honesty in public, but raise the issue immediately through the Competition Director.
- If any breach of this code of behaviour is witnessed, the matter should be immediately referred to the Competition Director. If necessary, penalties including suspension from attending competition may be the outcome.
- Never ridicule or scold a child for making a mistake during a competition. Positive comments are motivational.
- Condemn the use of violence in any form, be it by spectators, coaches, officials, or athletes. If any breach of this code of behaviour is witnessed, the matter should be immediately referred to the Competition Director, where a child is involved the Child Safety Office must be advised. If necessary, penalties including suspension from attending competition may be the outcome.
- Show respect for each participant. Without them there would be no events.
- Encourage athletes to follow the rules and the officials’ decisions.
- Demonstrate appropriate social behaviour by not harassing athletes, coaches, or officials, smoking on the arena or being intoxicated.
- Avoid use of bad language.
Coaches’ Code of Behaviour
- Be reasonable in your demands on young athletes’ time, energy, and enthusiasm.
- Teach athletes the rules of the sport are mutual agreements, which no one should evade or break.
- Whenever possible, group athletes to give a reasonable chance of success.
- Avoid over-coaching the better performing athletes, the “just averages” athletes need and deserve equal time.
- Remember that children participate for fun and enjoyment and that winning is only part of their enjoyment. Never ridicule or yell at the children for making mistakes or losing an event.
- Ensure that equipment and facilities meet safety standards and are appropriate to the age and ability of the athletes.
- Take into consideration the maturity level of the children when scheduling and determining the length of training times and competition.
- Develop respect for the ability of opponents as well as for the judgement of officials and coaches.
- Follow the advice of a physician when determining when an injured athlete is ready to recommence training or competition.
- Make a personal commitment to keep yourself informed of sound coaching principles and the principles of growth and development of children.
- Demonstrate appropriate social behaviour, by not harassing athletes, other coaches, or officials, smoking on the arena or being intoxicated.
- Avoid use of bad language.
Little Athletes’ Code of Behaviour
- Play by the rules.
- Never argue with an official. If you disagree, ask your Age Group Manager or a committee member to deal with the matter.
- Control your temper. Verbal abuse of officials, helpers or other athletes, deliberately distracting or provoking an opponent is not acceptable or permitted in our sport.
- Work equally hard for yourself and/or your Centre. Your Centre performance will benefit.
- Be a good sport. Applaud all good results whether they are by your Centre, opponent or the other Centre.
- Treat all athletes, as you would like to be treated. Do not interfere with, bully or take unfair advantage of another athlete.
- Co-operate with your coach, centre mates and other participants. Without them there would be no competition.
- Participate in Little Athletics for the “fun of it” and not just to please parents and coaches.
- Avoid use of bad language