Saints FC Code of Conduct
The purpose and intent of the Saints FC team philosophy are to:
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Promote the advancement of youth soccer in our area
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Encourage the development of player skills and abilities
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Promote programs that teach individual and team skills, and support the growth of trained coaches and referees
The goal and value of player participation are to have fun while playing soccer, to develop self-esteem and confidence through skill development while promoting a sense of fair play and good sportsmanship. In addition, we will participate in leagues where we will advance teams to the highest possible level of play.
The key element of the Saints FC soccer experience is developing individual and team skills in all players in a fun, family environment that builds character, competence, and confidence.
In order to promote a high level of community spirit, Saints FC adopts the following Code of Conduct for all players, parents/guardians, and coaches.
Players:
All players on a Saints FC travel program roster spot will follow the below rules:
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I will treat my coaches, my teammates, other players, referees, and spectators with respect always.
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I will be a positive role model and encourage good sportsmanship from fellow players, coaches, and parents always.
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I will not bully or haze any teammate or other person involved with the club. I will report any bullying or hazing to the coaches or staff members.
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I will remember that all players have talents and weaknesses, the same as I do. I will never ridicule or yell at any player for making a mistake during a soccer game or during practice.
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I will listen to my coaches and do what is asked of me in order to improve my game and my position on the team. If I need to leave a practice or game early, I will inform my coaches in a timely manner.
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While sitting on the bench during a game, I will watch the game and support my teammates who are in the game. I will provide only positive comments to the players on the field.
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I understand that I am responsible for my uniform and my equipment.
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I understand that I must be on time and play my best at all practices and games.
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Once I am at the soccer field for practice, I will not use my cell phone to call or text anyone unless I receive approval from one of my coaches.
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I will tell one of my coaches in advance if I cannot attend training, games, or other team events through the specific team chat/text.
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I will never use social media to damage my reputation or our soccer community. I understand that posting hurtful information can destroy a friendship, family relationships, and even a soccer team in a matter of minutes. I will treat these words for what they are: permanent records that can never be erased.
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I understand that drug use and other inappropriate behavior, including posting inappropriate information on any social media are grounds for dismissal from the team.
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I will notify the Director of Coaching if a member of another club’s coaching staff or other club representative approaches me for purposes of recruitment.
Parents/Guardians:
All Saints FC travel team parents shall:
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Demonstrate good sportsmanship
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Never speak to the referee, opposing coach, or opposing players
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Do not speak about players on the team while on the sideline. Do not speak negatively about an opposing player while on the sideline
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Do NOT coach or give instructions to players on the field. This applies to your own child as well as other players on the team
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Have players at practice and games on time
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Notify the coach in advance if a player cannot attend a scheduled practice or game
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Be on time to pick up players and stay tuned in the case of inclement weather
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Communicate with coaches if there are questions or concerns, but not during, before, or after the games. Email them to set a time to talk.
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You are responsible to ensure that all family members and guests you bring to games are aware of the codes of conduct
Coaches:
All Saints FC Travel Program Coaches shall:
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Provide a positive role model for their players and parents, by consistently acting in a positive, controlled, and mature manner expected of a Saints FC travel program coach
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Demonstrate good sportsmanship
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Learn the rules of soccer and earn at least a basic certification
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Above all else, maintain the safety and well-being of their players
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Explain to (and remind) parents what is expected of them and their children
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Provide a positive, enjoyable atmosphere for the players and parents
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Refrain from open arguments with referees and other coaches
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Encourage parents to support the team with their presence as much as possible
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Provide necessary guidance and equipment at games and practices
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Seek board approval for anything outside board policies or procedures
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Discipline players in a fair and consistent manner
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Refrain from making negative comments about other coaches, players, parents, and referees
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Be prepared to deal with injuries in a timely manner by reviewing first aid principles
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Maintain a consistent practice schedule that is both fun and challenging for the players
CDYSL Code of Conduct
LCSC complies with CDYSL's Code of Conduct. CDYSL is the Capital District Youth Soccer League and part of USA Youth Soccer.
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For more information on
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Code of Conduct for Coaches, Players, Parents, board members and Volunteers
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Zero Tolerance Policy and reporting
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Whistler Blower policy
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Anti-Bullying Policy
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Please visit www.cdysl.org/page/rules
ENYYSA SafeSoccer
U.S. Soccer has developed the Safe Soccer (www.safesoccer.com) Framework as a foundation from which all participants in the soccer community, be they athletes, coaches, referees, administrators or volunteers, play an active role in creating an environment free from emotional, physical or sexual abuse. The Safe Soccer Framework is a comprehensive program of policies and process, screening, education and training, reporting, monitoring and enforcement designed to help participants detect and report abuse, respond to it, and prevent future occurrences.
Latham Circle Soccer Club follows protocols set forth by U.S. Soccer & Eastern New York Youth Soccer Association. These measures ensure the safety of the participants. Collectively, we are responsible for providing a playing environment that is healthy, non-threatening, and free from emotional, physical, or sexual abuse.
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The Required Training Certificates include:
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SafeSport (Misconduct Awareness & Training)
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Heads Up (Concussion Awareness Training)
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Background Check
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SAFESPORT OVERVIEW:
Eastern NY Youth Soccer upholds the highest standards for participant safety by ensuring all adults engaged in our registered and affiliated programs comply with the most rigorous standards for background checks and abuse training.
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Eastern NY Youth Soccer does this not just because it’s the law, but because it’s the right thing to do. Abuse prevention is now an integral part of our roles as youth soccer administrators, coaches, referees, volunteers, and parents.
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Every adult who may have the opportunity to have direct and unmonitored access to children must complete:
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A comprehensive background check and screening process; and
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A certified abuse prevention training course and an annual refresher course.
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Please visit https://www.enysoccer.com/about-enyysa-safe-soccer/
ENYYSA Abuse Prevention
Latham Circle Soccer Club follows protocols set forth by U.S. Soccer & Eastern New York Youth Soccer Association. Please visit https://usys-assets.ae-admin.com/assets/945/15/Abuse%20Prevention.pdf
ENYYSA Risk Management Policy
Latham Circle Soccer Club adheres to the Risk Management policy set forth by Eastern New York Youth Soccer Association, which can be viewed here.
Concussion Policy
Saints FC wants to ensure that our players are provided the safest environment possible. As a result, we have constructed a policy to provide guidelines for players, coaches, and volunteers who may deal with concussion in some way.
Concussion
A concussion is a serious injury that should not be taken lightly. It is a type of traumatic brain injury (TBI) that can be caused by a blow or jolt to the head, or from a blow to the body that causes the head to move rapidly. This type of action can change the way your brain normally works. Even a mild bump or blow to the head can be serious.
Unfortunately, concussions can be difficult to diagnose, in part because the symptoms can be subtle and may not show up for hours or even days. For these reasons, it is vital that parents, coaches, and athletes take the time to: learn what a concussion is and the potential consequences, recognize concussion symptoms, know how to respond, and learn the steps for returning to activity after a concussion. If you suspect an athlete has a concussion, keep the athlete out of play (“when in doubt, keep them out”). The athlete should be evaluated by a medical professional experienced in evaluating concussions to assess the severity of the concussion, identify the best recovery path, and define the steps to return to play.
Policy
All coaches are required to register for the Concussion Awareness Statement and Training program via your LCSC family account page. This registration will ask the registrant to take the Center for Disease Control (CDC) online training course. The course supplies a completion certificate afterwards, which can be printed or saved to your computer. It is suggested that you do both for your records. We also highly recommend that parents and athletes take the time to review this course. Click HERE to go to the CDC On-Line Concussion Awareness Training.
All Coaches (Head coaches and Assistant coaches) are required to sit a player out for the remainder of a practice or game if the player sustains a blow to the head or a jarring collision that causes the coach to suspect a possible mild or serious concussion.
The affected player’s coach is required to notify the parents/legal guardians of the incident. LCSC coaches are parent volunteers who, with very few exceptions, are not medically trained or certified and may not be able to identify an incident during which a player may have sustained a head or other injury.
The affected player’s coach is also required to inform the rec or travel program’s division coordinator of the incident. Information that LCSC will need includes: date of the injury, date the parents/guardians were notified, how parents/guardians were notified (conversation, email, voicemail, etc.), and a brief description of the incident.
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If a coach suspects a concussion and requires a player to sit out, that player will not be allowed to return to soccer until the player obtains a note from a concussion-trained medical professional (e.g. pediatrician, pediatric neurologist, etc.). The coach and/or player must inform the LCSC division coordinator that he or she received the clearance note to resume activities.
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ENYYSA CONCUSSION PROTOCOL
US Soccer Player Safety Campaign – Tournaments – Concussions
If you run a tournament that is 2 days or more, in length, with more than 64 teams older than Under 10, it is recommended that your tournament have a MD, DO, or Athletic Trainer, who is certified in concussions, available for diagnosis of the player.
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Substitution Rules for Players Suspected of having a concussion in a League or Club based tournament
If a player is suspected of having a concussion, by the referees, team official, or league officials, the player will be withdrawn from the game immediately.
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That player’s card will be retained by the referee with a notation made on the lineup card. A notification of possible concussion form will be completed. The player’s card will be sent by the tournament director to the league office where the player is registered, along with the notification of possible concussion form, immediately after the tournament.
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Once the league office receives a medical clearance from a Health Care Professional (MD, DO, or athletic trainer who is certified in concussions) the player pass should be mailed back to the coach via express mail, within 24 hours, with a copy of the correspondence to the parents.
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Substitution Rules for Players Suspected of having a concussion in a League Match
If a player is suspected of having a concussion, by the referees, team officials, or league officials, the player will be withdrawn from the game immediately.
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That player’s card will be retained by the referee. A notation made on the lineup card, and that card and player pass sent to the League office, along with the notification of possible concussion form, immediately after the game.
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Once the league received a medical clearance from a Health Care Professional (MD, DO, or athletic trainer who is certified in concussions) the player pass should be mailed back to the coach via express mail, on the next business day, with a copy of the correspondence to the parents.
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Please visit https://www.enysoccer.com/headsup/
Saints FC Uniform Policy
The players of the Saints FC program, through our uniform and logo, will positively represent the Saints FC program at home or away games and tournaments. All Travel teams, to ensure personal, Team, and Club pride, unity, and brand consistency, will wear the uniform chosen by the board for all scheduled games or any Saints FC sponsored events.
Saints FC Travel Uniform Policy:
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All Saints FC teams may only wear uniforms and accessories that have been previously approved by the Board.
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The Saints FC Board has selected specific Saints FC branded uniforms as the standard uniform kit for ALL Travel Teams between U8-U18 unless otherwise specified and approved. No other kits or alternate packages will be allowed without prior approval from the board.
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It is the goal of the Board to have a two-year uniform cycle (4 seasons) before changing Travel uniform styles. Although this may need to change due to uniform availability, the goal is to incentivize playing with the Saints FC for multiple soccer seasons.
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No Saints FC travel team will be allowed to post any team sponsors/donation logos on their club uniforms at any time.
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No Saints FC team will be allowed to self-produce Saints FC branded apparel or accessories at any time without the approval of the Board.
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Being shirtless or wearing only a sports bra is not allowed for any length of time at Saints FC sponsored events. This applies while at the Saints FC fields for practices and games.
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Anything with racial or ethnic slurs or profanity of any kind is prohibited at the soccer complex, practice fields, or any games.
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When there is a color conflict and you are the home team, then the alternate Saints FC game jersey should be worn.
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The jersey color will be designated by the coach for each event. Players should have the opposite color jersey with them at ALL games.