Philosophy of South Perth United’s Juniors Program
South Perth United FC is a community football club run by volunteers for the enjoyment and development of our players. To ensure a positive and safe environment, this document outlines:
● Club philosophy and strategic direction for all juniors, and seniors teams
● Code of Conduct for players, coaches, volunteers, parents and spectators
● Issue resolution process
● Escalation process and consequences for breaches to the Code of Conduct
By being a part of the South Perth United Football Club community, you are agreeing to abide by the codes and processes laid out in this document.
Juniors
- Philosophy of South Perth United’s Juniors Program
The focus of South Perth United juniors program is to ensure players have a positive football experience and develop their skills in a fun, safe environment. As such, South Perth United has an emphasis on fair play for all players regardless of skill level, experience and talent. This includes:
● Equal opportunities for players to experience all positions.
● A focus on equal playing and training time for all players, regardless of skill level.
● A fair distribution of talented players across teams, when there is more than one team for a particular age bracket, to ensure that all teams have the opportunity to grow stronger. Depending on need, players may be requested to play on a different team once in a while.
- Junior Coaches – Code of Conduct
● Never yell at a player for making a mistake or for not winning.
● Be reasonable in your demands on players’ and parents’ time, energy and enthusiasm.
● Operate within the rules and spirit of football and teach your players to do the same.
● Any physical contact with a player should be appropriate to the situation and necessary for their development.
● Ensure that the time players spend with you is a positive experience.
● Ensure that players have equal attention and playing opportunities, regardless of experience, skill level or talent.
● Avoid overplaying talented players.
● In collaboration with the committee, look for opportunities for talented players to be
challenged and pushed to improve their skills. This may include opportunities to play at higher levels.
● Display respect and professionalism to all players, opponents, coaches, officials,
volunteers, parents and spectators.
● Encourage your players to display respect and professionalism to all opponents,
coaches, officials, volunteers, parents and spectators.
● Coaches are not to be over the legal limit of alcohol or under the influence of illicit
drugs. Alcohol is not to be consumed on the sidelines of junior games.
● Support injured or sick players and follow the advice of a physician when determining whether an injured or sick player is ready to recommence training or playing a game.
● Work to be the best coach you can be for the club. This includes working and
collaborating with other South Perth United coaches and attending relevant coaching
courses and development opportunities.
● Respect the rights, dignity and worth of every player, opponent, coach, official,
volunteer, parent and spectator regardless of their gender, sexual orientation, ability,
cultural background or religion. Discrimination and disrespect will not be tolerated.
admin@southperthunitedfc.com.au
www.southperthunitedfc.com.au
- Junior Players – Code of Conduct
● Play by the rules of football.
● Players should never argue with referees or match officials. If you disagree with a
decision, have your captain, coach or team manager approach the official on your behalf.
● Verbal abuse or threats towards opponents, coaches, officials, volunteers, parents or spectators is not acceptable under any circumstance.
- Physical violence will not be tolerated under any circumstance.
● Deliberately distracting or provoking an opponent is not acceptable.
● Work equally hard for yourself and your team. Your team’s performance will benefit
and so will you.
● Be a good sport and play with a positive attitude regardless of the outcome of the
game.
● Respect and listen to strategic decisions and instructions made by your coach. They are volunteers and are there to help develop you and your team. If you disagree with their decisions, approach them in a respectful manner at an appropriate time (not in the middle of a game).
● Respect the rights, dignity and worth of every player, opponent, coach, official,
volunteer, parent and spectator regardless of their gender, sexual orientation, ability,
cultural background or religion. Discrimination and disrespect will not be tolerated.
● Have fun!
- Parents and Spectators Code of Conduct
● Remember that players participate in football for their enjoyment and benefit, not
yours.
● Encourage children to participate, but do not force them.
● Focus on your child’s efforts and performance rather than winning or losing.
● Never ridicule or scold a player for making a mistake. Football should be a safe space for players to make mistakes and learn.
● Remember that children learn best by example. Appreciate good performances and skilful plays by all participants including opponents.
● Support all efforts to remove verbal and physical abuse from all football activities.
● Respect the decisions of officials and teach players to do likewise.
● Show appreciation for volunteer coaches, officials and administrators. Without them, your child could not participate in football.
● Parents and spectators are not to be over the legal limit of alcohol or under the
influence of illicit drugs. Alcohol is not to be consumed on the sidelines of junior
games. We are setting an example for young people, and we take this responsibility
seriously.
● If you disagree with a coach’s decision, approach them in a respectful manner at an appropriate time to discuss (not in the middle of a game). However, please respect that everyone has a different coaching style and you may not always agree with their strategies or decisions. Coaches are not obligated to take your advice.
● Respect the rights, dignity and worth of every young person regardless of their gender, ability, cultural background or religion.
Seniors
5. Philosophy of South Perth United’s Seniors Program
South Perth United’s Seniors Program aims to provide a safe, fun environment for players to develop their skills at a pace suited to them. We recognised that senior players have a variety of motivations for playing football including; competing at a high level; developing technical skills; keeping physically and mentally fit; and socialising. South Perth United has a variety of senior teams to cater for a variety of motivations and each teams’ individual philosophy is influenced by the players and
the coach.
What is consistent across all men’s and ladies teams is the importance of a cohesive, supportive and positive attitude by all players, coaches, volunteers and spectators.
admin@southperthunitedfc.com.au
www.southperthunitedfc.com.au
- Senior coaches – Code of Conduct
● Never be aggressive towards a player for making a mistake or for not winning.
● Be reasonable in your demands on players’ time, energy and enthusiasm.
● Operate within the rules and spirit of football and teach your players to do the same.
● Any physical contact with a player should be appropriate to the situation and necessary for their development.
● Display respect and professionalism to all players, opponents, coaches, officials,
volunteers, parents and spectators.
● Verbal abuse or threats towards opponents, coaches, officials, volunteers or spectators is not acceptable under any circumstance.
● Physical violence will not be tolerated under any circumstance.
● Encourage your players to display respect and professionalism to all opponents,
coaches, officials, volunteers and spectators.
● Coaches are not to be over the legal limit of alcohol or under the influence of illicit
drugs.
● Support injured or sick players and follow the advice of a physician when determining whether an injured or sick player is ready to recommence training or playing a game.
● Work to be the best coach you can be for the club. This includes working and
collaborating with other South Perth United coaches and attending relevant coaching
courses and development opportunities.
● Respect the rights, dignity and worth of every player, opponent, coach, official,
volunteer and spectator regardless of their gender, sexual orientation, ability, cultural
background or religion. Discrimination and disrespect will not be tolerated.
- Senior Players – Code of Conduct
● Play by the rules of football.
● Players should never argue with referees or match officials. If you disagree with a
decision, have your captain, coach or manager approach the official on your behalf.
● Players are not to be under the influence of illicit or performance enhancing drugs while playing. When you are on the pitch you are representing South Perth United and our sponsors. Drug use will not be tolerated.
● Verbal abuse or threats towards opponents, team mates, coaches, officials, volunteers or spectators is not acceptable under any circumstance.
● Deliberately distracting or provoking an opponent is not acceptable or permitted
behaviour.
● Work equally hard for yourself and your team. Your team’s performance will benefit
and so will you.
● Be a good sport and play with a positive attitude regardless of the outcome of the
game.
● Physical violence will not be tolerated under any circumstance.
● Respect and listen to strategic decisions and instructions made by your coach. They are volunteers and are there to help develop you and your team. If you disagree with their decisions, approach them in a respectful manner at an appropriate time (not in the middle of a game). However, coaches are not obligated to take your advice.
● Respect the rights, dignity and worth of every player, opponent, coach, official,
volunteer, parent and spectator regardless of their gender, sexual orientation, ability,
cultural background or religion. Discrimination and disrespect will not be tolerated.
● Have fun!
- Seniors Spectators Code of Conduct
● Remember that players participate in football for their enjoyment and benefit, not
yours.
● Verbal abuse or threats towards players, coaches, officials, volunteers or spectators is not acceptable under any circumstance.
● Support all efforts to remove verbal and physical abuse from all football activities.
● Respect the decisions of officials and encourage players to do likewise.
● Show appreciation for coaches, officials and administrators. Without them, we could not participate in football.
● Respect the rights, dignity and worth of every player, opponent, coach, official,
volunteer, parent and spectator regardless of their gender, sexual orientation, ability,
cultural background or religion. Discrimination and disrespect will not be tolerated.
admin@southperthunitedfc.com.au
www.southperthunitedfc.com.au
Breaches to the code of conduct
South Perth United reserves the right to suspend players or exclude parents or spectators for breaches to the code of conduct, depending on the severity of the incident. Where possible and in minor breaches, we will first attempt to resolve incidents through the issue resolution process.
In severe cases, such as physical violence, discrimination, racism, drug use or on-going poor behaviour (including bullying), the person/s involved will be approached by a member of the committee and may be asked to leave South Perth United.
South Perth United will not refund any registration fees in the case of a breach to the code of conduct resulting in a player/parent being asked to leave the club.
If you would like to discuss a concern, or to report a breach of the code of conduct by a parent, spectator, player, coach, volunteer or committee member, please contact one of the following people:
● Your Coach or Team Manager
● Juniors Coordinator – Simone Hawke (juniors@southperthunitedfc.com.au)
● Vice-President – Angelo Velho
● President – Sony Sindhe (admin@southperthunitedfc.com.au)
A positive, supportive and safe environment is at the forefront of South Perth United’s philosophy and we are committed to doing everything possible to uphold that standard.
Issue resolution process
In the event of a disagreement or conflict between two South Perth United members the following issue resolution shall be followed.
● Parents, players, coaches or volunteers may contact any committee member to raise a concern or difficulty.
● The committee will discuss potential options for a resolution, which may include holding a discussion between the two parties mediated by the Vice-President or President, or moving a player to a different team, among other options.
● The committee will suggest a resolution process to the two parties, to be discussed and decided upon.
● If agreement cannot be reached, the Committee reserves the right to make a decision that best suits the needs of the members and the club.
● In the case of major or on-going breach to the code of conduct, the committee reserves the right to ask individuals to leave the club (see “breaches to the code of conduct” below).
The committee will collectively make decisions to ensure a balanced outcome that prioritises the wellbeing of members and the club.
The committee is always open to having conversations about improvements around the club but please understand that we will not always be able to keep everyone happy. Please respect the decisions of the committee.