This Code of Conduct establishes a clear set of guidelines for parents/guardians. Its primary goal is to help ensure that soccer is a fun, positive and enjoyable experience. Our Code of Conduct is based on the concept of fair play, defined by four basic principles:

• Respect for the rules
• Respect for the referees and their decisions
• Respect for all participants, including teammates, coaches and opponents
• Maintaining self -control at all times

It is a condition of continuing Club membership that all participants understand and follow this Code of Conduct when participating in any Club activity. Please keep this Code of Conduct as a reference.

Player Code of Conduct

• I will play soccer because I want to, not because others want me to.
• I will play by the rules of soccer, and in the spirit of the game.
• I will control my temper. I will not fight, "mouth off" or use bad language.
• I will respect my opponents.
• I will be a team player.
• I will remember that winning isn't everything that having fun, playing fair, improving my skills, making friends and doing my best are the most important.
• I will acknowledge all good play those of my teammates and of my opponents.
• I will accept the decisions of coaches and referees and show them respect.
• See Social Media Guidelines below

Games and Practices

• I agree that practices and games are equally important.
• I will arrive at the field before practices and games according to the standards set by my coach.
• If I cannot make a game or practice, I will notify the coach at least 24 hours in advance so that arrangements for substitutes can be made.
• I realize that players who attend practices may get priority for game starting lineups, which will be based on factors including attendance at practices, player's position, effort, and attitude.

My Uniform

• I understand that the uniform is the property of the Soccer Club. I will take good care of it and wear it only on game days.
• When wearing the uniform, I will remember that I am representing the Goderich MSC.
• I will return the uniform, clean, if requested by my team, at the end of the season. (Do not return socks.)
• At practices I will wear appropriate attire, such as a comfortable shirt and shorts.
• I will wear shin guards covered by socks and appropriate footwear at all games and practices.

Discipline

• At all times I will show respect for coaches, referees, teammates, and opposing players.
• Infractions that occur during the game are governed by the Laws of the Game and will be decided by the Referee. The result may be a Caution (yellow card) or Dismissal (red card), in which case there may also be further action by the league Discipline Committee.
• Outside of the game no player shall insult nor verbally abuse an official, this includes but is not limited to at school, in public places, via phone, text messages or via Social Media – See Social Media Guidelines at end of page – this will be treat in a similar manner as if it happened at during the game.
• Certain serious infractions (e.g. Referee Assault) will result in a Discipline Hearing convened by Ontario Soccer or their delegate, and could lead to a worldwide suspension from soccer, and a fine being levied by the OS. Payment of the fine is my responsibility. At his or her discretion, the teams coach will handle infractions that occur at times other than during a game.

Social Media Guidelines

This policy governs the publication of and commentary on social media by players, coaches, referees, and Members of the Goderich Minor Soccer Club. For the purposes of this policy, social media means any facility for online publication and commentary, including without limitation blogs, wiki's, social networking sites such as Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter, Flickr, and YouTube. This policy is in addition to and complements any existing or future policies regarding the use of technology, computers, e-mail and the internet.

Goderich Minor Soccer Club acknowledges that Cyber bullying is becoming a significant threat to the safety and wellbeing of a whole generation of young people in our sporting community and beyond.

Cyber bullying involves harassment, insults and humiliation via technology such as email, mobile phones, social networking sites, instant messaging programs, chat rooms and websites.

The use of social media to taunt, threaten, or bully any player, coach, official, or spectator is strictly prohibited. Violation of these Social Media Guidelines, Code of Conduct of House League Bylaws or the OS Harassment Policy will be subject to disciplinary action as determined by Goderich MSC’s Executive Board Disciplinary Committee and these actions will have the same consequences as if they happened on the field of play.

The following are examples of conduct through social media and networking mediums that are considered violations of the Goderich MSC’s policies and may be subject to disciplinary action. This is not an exhaustive list:

• Any statement deemed to be publicly critical of Goderich MSC officials or detrimental to the welfare of a member team, the club or an individual.
• Negative or derogatory comments about any of the match officials.
• Any form of bullying, harassment or threats against players or officials.
• Photographs, videos or comments promoting negative influences or criminal behavior, including but not limited to: drug use, alcohol abuse, public intoxication, hazing, sexual exploitation, etc.
• Online activity that contradicts the current policies of the Goderich MSC or any of its member Associations.
• Inappropriate, derogatory, racist, or sexist comments of any kind.
• Online activity that is meant to alarm other individuals or to misrepresent fact or truth.

Discipline

The Goderich MSC Executive Board Discipline Committee will investigate reported violation(s) of this policy as per OS Discipline Report procedures. If the investigation determines that a violation has occurred, discipline will be administered according to OS Discipline Guidelines.

Policy Procedures

If you as an official, a player, a coach or a Goderich MSC Member feel you are being abused, harassed or bullied via Social Media.  Please submit a formal report to the discipline committee using the following email address:  discipline@goderichminorsoccer.ca

This report should proceed as soon as you think there is an issue.   Do not wait hoping it will stop.

Your report should contain details of what the complaint is, when the issue happened and the name of the person the complaint is about.  Please include as much detail as possible including screen captures that highlight the reason for the complaint.