SFC Code of Conduct

Any Player, Member, Parent or Staff member of Singapore Football Club is expected to uphold the club’s core values at all times. The Club’s Code of Conduct is to help act as a guide and should not be used as a substitute for common sense or sensible decision making.

Those who operate within the Club’s Code of Conduct, explained below, can earn the privilege to participate in the club’s activities. 

Those that fail to operate within the Code of Conduct, or do not operate within the basic parameters of good behaviour will not be invited to take part in the club’s events.

  1. Code of Conduct for Singapore Football Club Parents and Guardians:

Our Club’s Code of Conduct is for all Parents and Guardians with young players connected with Singapore Football Club (SFC):

All children play football because they first and foremost love the game – it is fun.

It is important to remember that however good a child becomes at football it is important to support their

·  Enjoyment of the game

·  Personal achievements

·  Self-esteem

·  Technical development

The club does not support “a win at all costs” approach. SFC focuses on development over results for all of our academy players.

A parent’s expectations and attitudes have a significant bearing on a child’s attitude towards:

·  Other players

·  Officials

·  Managers

·  Spectators

Parents and Guardians should:

·  Applaud the opposition as well as your own team

·  Avoid coaching the child during the game

·  Support the coach and let them do their job

·  Not to shout and scream (keep it positive)

·  Respect the referee’s decision

·  Give attention to each of the children involved in football not just the most talented

·  Give encouragement to everyone to participate in football

·  Recognise that the coach is in charge and support their decisions

Parents and Guardians should not:

·  Undermine the coaches or prevent them from doing their job

·  Participate in excessive screaming or shouting

·  Shout at the referees or match officials

·  Message, text or look to influence the club’s coaches or staff

SFC has a zero tolerance policy for any parents that abuse, threaten or attempt to intimidate (intentionally or otherwise) any of our SFC staff, or furthermore any match officials.

Parents should understand that football clubs including SFC host children and young athletes from various backgrounds and communities. Sometimes friendships and connections from other parts of the children’s lives (school for example) cross into the football club.

SFC strives to be a safe and welcoming space for all children and young athletes and equity of experience is very important to the club.

In the event that parents are unable to follow the Club’s Code of Conduct this may result in their child being withdrawn from playing for Singapore Football Club.

Any breach of SFC’s Code of Conduct by a parent or guardian may result in players and/or members being released from the club if the behaviour of their parents is not in keeping with the expectations of the club.

Fair Play:

Conduct according to the spirit of Fair Play is essential for the successful promotion and development of and involvement in sport. The objective of Fair Play is to foster a sporting spirit, as well as the sporting behaviour of coaches, players, team officials and spectators, thereby increasing the enjoyment of all those involved in the game.

2. Code of Conduct for Singapore Football Club Players and Members:

Code of Conduct for Singapore Football Club Players and Members:

Representing Singapore Football Club is a privilege and should be treated as such. Membership of the club is by invitation and should not be taken for granted.

Players and Members are expected to uphold the club’s core values at all times. Those who operate within the Club’s Code of Conduct, explained below, can earn the privilege to participate in the club’s activities. 

Players and Members that fail to operate within the code of conduct, or do not operate within the rules and expectations of the club will not be permitted to take part in the club’s events.

Respect towards SFC team officials, team mates and the club’s reputation:

  • All members are required to play exclusively for Singapore Football Club. If for any such reason a player wished to represent another club, then prior consent must be sought and obtained well in advance of the event, from the senior management of the club. Representing another club without approval could lead to a player’s expulsion.
  • Abide by the instructions of their Coach and SFC team officials, provided they do not contradict the spirit of this Code.
  • Show due respect towards the SFC team officials of the opposition.
  • Show the upmost respect towards your team mates, coaches or club staff at all time.
  • Do not behave in any manner that disrespects your team mates or club staff or could negatively affect their wellbeing.
  • Do not behave in any manner that could bring the club’s reputation in to disrepute – intentionally or otherwise.
  • SFC strives to be a safe and welcoming space for all players and young athletes and equity of experience is very important to the club. In the event that players are unable to follow the Club’s Code of Conduct this may result in them being withdrawn from playing for Singapore Football Club.

2.1 Obligations towards the game:

2.1.1  Make every effort to develop their own sporting abilities, in terms of skill, technique, tactics and stamina.

2.1.2  Give maximum effort and strive for the best possible performance during a game, even if his/her team is in a position where the desired result has already been achieved.

2.1.3  Set a positive example for others, particularly young players and supporters.

2.1.4  Avoid all forms of gamesmanship and time-wasting.

2.1.5  Do not use inappropriate language.

2.1.6 Make every effort consistent with Fair Play and the Laws of the Game to help his own team win.

2.1.7 Resist any influence that might, or might be seen to, bring into question his commitment to the team winning.  

2.2 Respect for the Laws of the Game and competition rules:

2.2.1 Know and abide by the Laws, rules and spirit of the game, and the competition rules.

2.2.2  Accept success and failure, victory and defeat with an equal measure of dignity.

2.2.3  Resist any temptation to take banned substances or use banned techniques.

2.3 Respect towards Opponents:

2.3.1 Treat opponents with due respect at all times, irrespective of the result of the game.

2.3.2 Safeguard the physical fitness of opponents, avoid violence and rough play, and help injured opponents.

  • Respect towards the Match Officials:

2.4.1 Accept the decision of the Match Official without protest.

2.4.2 Avoid words or actions that may mislead a Match Official.

2.4.3 Show due respect towards Match Officials.

As outlined above, in the event that players and members are unable to follow the Club’s Code of Conduct this may result in them being withdrawn from playing for Singapore Football Club. A breach of the SFC’s Code of Conduct may ultimately result in the club enforcing its right to release players and members from the club.

Fair Play:

Conduct according to the spirit of Fair Play is essential for the successful promotion and development of and involvement in sport. The objective of Fair Play is to foster a sporting spirit, as well as the sporting behaviour of coaches, players, team officials and spectators, thereby increasing the enjoyment of all those involved in the game.

3. Code of Conduct for SFC Coaches and Staff:

Coaches are key to the establishment of ethics in football. Their concept of ethics and their attitude directly affects the behaviour of players under their supervision.

Coaches have to be aware that almost all of their everyday decisions and choices of actions, as well as strategic targets, can have implications for the young athletes they coach.

It is natural that winning constitutes a basic concern for coaches. This code is not intended to conflict with that. However, the code calls for coaches to dissociate themselves from a “win-at-all-costs” attitude.

Increased responsibility is requested from coaches involved in coaching young people. The health, safety, welfare and moral education of young people are a first priority, before the achievement or the reputation of the club, coach or parent.

3.1  Coaches must respect the rights, dignity and worth of each and every person and treat each equally within the context of the sport.

3.2  Coaches must place the well-being and safety of each player above all other considerations, including the development of performance.

3.3  Coaches must adhere to all guidelines laid down by governing bodies.

3.4  Coaches must develop an appropriate working relationship with each player based on mutual trust and respect, and in the knowledge of safeguarding guidance.

3.5  Coaches must not exert undue influence to obtain personal benefit or reward.

3.6  Coaches must encourage and guide players to accept responsibility for their own behaviour and performance.

3.7  Coaches must ensure that the activities they direct or advocate are appropriate for the age, maturity, experience and ability of players.

3.8  Coaches should, at the outset, clarify with the players (and, where appropriate, parent) exactly what is expected of them and also what they are entitled to expect from their coach.

3.9 Coaches must co-operate fully with other specialists (e.g. other coaches, officials, sports scientists, doctors, physiotherapists) in the best interests of the player.

3.10  Coaches must always promote the positive aspects of the sport (e.g. fair play) and never condone violations of the Laws of the Game, behaviour contrary to the spirit of the Laws of the Game or relevant rules and regulations or the use of prohibited substances or techniques.

3.11  Coaches must not use or tolerate inappropriate language.

Fair Play: Conduct according to the spirit of Fair Play is essential for the successful promotion and development of and involvement in sport. The objective of Fair Play is to foster a sporting spirit, as well as the sporting behaviour of coaches, players, team officials and spectators, thereby increasing the enjoyment of all those involved in the game.

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