ADMINISTRATORS

• Involve children in the planning, leadership, evaluation and decision making related to the activity.
• Ensure that equal opportunities for participation in sports are made available to all children, regardless of ability, size, shape, sex, disability or ethnic origin.
• Ensure that equipment & facilities are safe and appropriate to the ability level of participating children.
• Ensure rules, equipment, events & training schedules take into consideration the age ability & maturity level of participating children.
• Ensure that adequate supervision is provided by qualified and competent coaches and officials capable of developing appropriate positive behaviour & skill technique.
• Remember that children participate for enjoyment (play down the importance of rewards).
• Avoid allowing programs to become primarily spectator entertainment. Focus on the needs of participants rather than the enjoyment of the spectator.
• Provide clinics aimed at improving the standards of coaching and officiating, with an emphasis of appropriate behaviour & skill technique.
• Ensure that parents, coaches, sponsors, administrators officials & participants understand their responsibilities regarding fair play.
• Distribute the Code of Behaviour sheet to spectators, officials, parents, coaches and athletes.

OFFICIALS

• Compliment all participants on their effort.
• Be consistent, objective & courteous in calling all infringements.
• Condemn unsporting behaviour & promote respect for all opponents.
• Ensure that the “Spirit of the Game” for children is not lost using common sense & not over emphasizing errors.
• Ensure that equipment & facilities meet safety standards & are appropriate to the age & ability of the participants.
• Publicly encourage rule changes which reinforce the principles of participation for fun & 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 & the principles of growth and development of children.

COACHES

• Be reasonable in your demands on young athletes time, energy & 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 average” athletes need & deserve equal time.
• Remember that children participate for fun & enjoyment and that winning is only part of their motivation. Never ridicule or yell at the children for making mistakes or losing an event.
• Ensure that equipment & facilities meet safety standards & are appropriate to the age & ability of the athletes.
• Take into consideration the maturity level of the children when scheduling & determining the length of training times & competition.
• Develop respect for the ability of opponents as well as for the judgment of officials & 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 & the principles of growth & development of children.
• Demonstrate appropriate social behaviour, by not harassing athletes, other coaches or officials, smoking on the arena or being intoxicated.

PARENTS

• Encourage children to participate if they are interested. However, if a child is not willing to do not force him or her.
• Focus upon the child’s efforts rather than the overall outcome of the event. This assists the child in setting realistic goals related to his/her 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, raise the issue through the appropriate channels rather than questioning the official’s judgment & honesty in public. Remember, most officials give their time & effort for your child’s involvement.
• Support all efforts to remove verbal & physical abuse at Little Athletics activities.
• Recognise the value & importance of being a volunteer official and/ or coach. They give their time and resources to provide recreational activities for children and deserve your support.
• Demonstrate appropriate social behaviour, by not harassing athletes, coaches or officials, smoking on the arena or being intoxicated.

ATHLETES

• Play by the rules.
• Never argue with an official. If you disagree ask your Team Manager, Chaperone or supervising adult to deal with the matter.
• Control your temper. Verbal abuse of officials 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’s performance will benefit.
• Be a good sport. Applaud all good results whether they be 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.
• Cooperate with your coach, club mates & other participants. Without them there would be no competition.
• Participate in Athletics for the “fun of it” & not just to please parents & coaches.

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