NGBA CODE OF CONDUCT
Intent:
NGBA promotes the concept of good conduct by all participants including players, coaches, families and spectators. This concept will provide a safe athletic environment, good role models and a sense of community spirit throughout the league. NGBA team participants are to maintain and promote the highest standards of conduct at all times. By doing this, NGBA teams will prove that good conduct and competitive sports can co-exist.
Everyone will:
- Respect all players, coaches, referees, families and spectators.
- Respect the property of others, including all gym facilities.
- Never taunt, boo, or make negative comments about any players, coaches, referees, families or spectators.
- Remember that sports for children should always be about having fun first.
Social Media Conduct
Everyone will:
- Be respectful of the NGBA and all volunteers, players, coaches, referees, families, Board members and spectators by refraining from posting negative comments on social media about NGBA events or participants.
- Remember that my conduct, including on social media, represents me as an athlete, coach, volunteer, or participant, and on the NGBA as a whole. I will use good judgment, be positive and respectful when posting and/or commenting on social media.
- Violations of this policy include but are not limited to:
Making disrespectful comments directed at players, coaches, referees, families, spectators and NGBA Board members.
Players will:
- Play for fun.
- Work hard to improve skills, learn the game and play by the rules.
- Follow coaches’ directions and instructions.
- Always respect teammates, opponents, coaches and referees.
- Support teammates at all times.
- Shake hands with opponents after the game.
- Prioritize attendance and commitment to teammates during the season when accepting a roster spot on an A team, including games and practices.
- Never make physical contact with intent to harm or threatening comments to any opposing player or teammate out of anger or frustration. See separate policy on Technical Fouls, Ejections, and Threats or Physical Abuse.
Parents, Families & Spectators will:
- Not force a child to participate in a sport.
- Remember that children participate in athletics to have fun.
- Remember that the game is for the children, not for the adults.
- Remember that they are not the coach and will refrain from yelling instructions out onto the court.
- Accept, respect and abide by the coaching assignments made by the NGBA Board of Directors, including avoiding talking negatively to your child and others about the coaches and communicating with coaches in a polite and respectful way.
- Communicate with coaches in-person or on the phone, and not via email or text, other than to request a meeting. Conversations with coaches should be held in private, and in-person, when at all possible, and never in front of the children or on the court.
- Be a positive role model by respecting all players, coaches, referees, parents and spectators at all times.
- Value skills development, fair competition and good effort.
- Recognize that the effort of all children, your own team and opponents, is more important than the outcome of the game.
- Cheer for all children on the team, not just your own child.
- Not encourage any behaviors or tactics that would endanger the health and well being of anyone.
- Never address referees, coaches or other parents/spectators outside of the game facility, i.e. following someone out to the parking lot to confront someone or continue a disagreement.
Coaches will:
- Make skill development, sportsmanship, teamwork, fun and learning the game…the goals of the team.
- Be a positive role model by respecting all players, coaches, referees, parents and spectators at all times.
- Learn and play by the rules of the game, and those specific to any individual league or tournament.
- Be generous in my praise, emphasizing the children’s efforts over the outcome of the game.
- Be fair, honest and consistent in coaching philosophies and practices.
- Recognize that children learn differently… and adapt coaching to each child’s needs accordingly.
- Communicate clearly to players and parents about goals for the team and what behavior is appropriate.
- Provide a safe environment for the children to play.
- Never lose their temper, including but not limited to conduct that leads to being assessed with a technical foul during a game. NGBA follows River Valley League policies on technical fouls which include suspensions for multiple infractions. See separate policy on Technical Fouls, Ejections, and Threats or Physical Abuse.
Violations of the NGBA Code of Conduct:
The goal of the NGBA is to promote good conduct and high levels of sportsmanship at all times. As an organization, we are committed to offering every opportunity possible to participate in our programs.
Violations of the Code of Conduct impact not just the immediate people involved but the NGBA as a whole. When violations have occurred, we strive to address them quickly, keeping in mind that we serve and promote the interests of the entire NGBA. Violations of the Code of Conduct will be handled as they arise according to severity and multiple factors including whether violations are repeated, or a warning had previously been issued.
The proper procedure for reporting and escalating a violation are to begin with the coach if applicable, then the appropriate grade coordinator and then the NGBA President. Consequences for violations can range from warnings all the way up to indefinite suspensions for repeated violations that are detrimental to the league or severe in nature.
The NGBA President has unilateral authority to issue penalties including suspensions, and revoke or reinstate individuals for Code of Conduct violations, though they may seek guidance from the Board of Directors or other parties involved.