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PARENTS DO MAKE THE
DIFFERENCE
ts
Make The Difference
Above all, the motivating factor for most players
who play for Owensboro United is that they want to
have fun. The degree to which your child benefits
from their soccer experience is as much your
responsibility as it is theirs. In order for your
player to get the most out this or any other soccer
program, it is important for you to show support and
offer encouragement while maintaining a genuine
interest in the team. With a supportive attitude and
a fundamental understanding of the game, everyone
will come away from their soccer experience with a
positive feeling.
SUPPORT YOUR CHILD
Support Your Child
There are many benefits derived from playing youth
soccer such as good sportsmanship and
self-discipline. Players learn how to work together,
to sacrifice for the good of the team, to enjoy
winning humbly and handle defeat gracefully. In the
process, they also learn important lessons about
physical fitness and personal goals. Remember that
your player is playing the game of soccer. It is
important to encourage them to establish their own
goals and play the game for themselves. While they
should be challenged to perform their personal best
at the highest possible level, be careful not to
impose your own standards or objectives. As a
parent, you should see that your child is on time
and prepared for practices and games. It disrupts
the coach and other teammates for a player to be
late or missing their uniform or equipment.
PRACTICES
s and Practices
A team’s performance improves by practicing
together. Players – even good ones – cannot improve
without practice. Practice stresses the importance
of teamwork, establishing goals, discipline and
learning emotional control, all of which are
important lessons children can use both on and off
the field. A player not attending practice regularly
may see reduced playing time in games, since it is
not fair to the other players who have put forth the
time and effort to practice with the team.
GOOD SPORTSMANSHIP
Good Sportsmanship
Parents serve as role models for their children, who
often look to adults for advice, direction and
approval. Never lose sight of the fact that you are
a role model, and as such, strive to be a positive
one. One of the most important things you can do is
show good sportsmanship at all times to coaches,
referees, opponents and teammates. Cheer them on as
a team and individually as well.
Parents can take the fun out of soccer by
continually yelling or screaming from the sidelines.
Parents should enjoy the game and applaud good
plays.
Negative remarks
from you reflect poorly, not only on the team and
the club, but on your child personally.
LET THE COACH COACH
The Coach Coach
Your child's coach will be responsible for
instructing your child during games and at
practices. Our coaches receive
training and dedicate countless hours on and off the
field to make your child's soccer experience
rewarding. It is important that
you leave the instruction and decision making to the
coaches. Some parents not only spoil the fun for
their kids on the field, but also in the car or at
home. Parents should not contradict the
coach’s instructions. It is unfair to put children
in a position of having to decide who to listen to
-- their parents or their coach. If a parent has a
question or feels it is necessary to discuss an
issue with the coach, it should be done privately
and at a mutually convenient time outside of
practice and game times. Parents should try to keep
things in perspective -- there's more to life than
soccer.
POSITIVE REINFORCEMENT
Avoid placing an exaggerated emphasis on winning. A
recent survey indicated 72% of children would rather
play for a losing team than ride the bench for a
winner. A healthy, risk-free environment emphasizing
the importance of fair play, sportsmanship,
discipline and most importantly, fun, will be
invaluable for your child as he or she continues to
develop a positive self image. The best way to help
children achieve goals and reduce their natural fear
of failure is through positive reinforcement. After
all, no one likes to make mistakes, but if your
child does make a mistake -- and they will -- keep
in mind that mistakes are an important part of the
overall learning process. Strive to be supportive
and point out the things they do well. There are
always good efforts in every game, no matter what
the score. Make your child feel like a winner.
CODE OF CONDUCT
Owensboro United Soccer Club prides itself on being
one the premiere soccer programs dedicated to youth
soccer. It is a privilege to be a part of the
club whether as a player, parent or supporter. All
of us represent the Club when our teams play or
practice and our actions reflect upon the club and
our community.
The role that parents
and other supporters play in developing top players
is great. You do make a difference and the degree
to which your player benefits from their soccer
experience is as much your responsibility as it is
theirs. The following code of conduct has been
formally adopted to encourage us all to work
together, to exhibit good sportsmanship and to be
respectful to all players, coaches, referees,
parents and fans. It is important to remember that
the highest potential of sports is achieved when
competition and skill also reflect the core
principles of trustworthiness, respect,
responsibility, fairness, caring and good
citizenship.
PARENTS AND
SUPPORTERS
ARE EXPECTED TO . . .
- Acknowledge that
the key element of soccer is fun and that the
game is for them.
- Be positive role
models by exhibiting the utmost in
sportsmanship and integrity.
- Reinforce that
doing one's best and competing fairly is more
important than winning so that the player will
never feel defeated by the outcome of a game or
their performance.
- Promote the
emotional and physical well-being of the players
ahead of any personal desire to win.
- Demand a sports
environment free from drugs and alcohol and
refrain from their use at all sporting events.
- Respect the
authority of the referee and their assistants.
Never harass, abuse or berate the referee during
or after the match. You shall not enter
the field of play without the referee's
permission.
- Respect the
coaching staff. Never criticize a coach in a
public manner or in front of a player. If
there is a problem talk to the coaching director
or other appropriate club official Never
confront a coach before or after a game or
practice or in any public setting.
- Ensure that your
player with all their equipment is on time and
prepared for games and practices and that they
are picked-up promptly.
- Emphasize skill
development and practice and how they benefit
the player over winning.
- Refrain from
coaching from the sideline. Let the coach
do their job. They are trained and have
been entrusted to instruct the players.
- Show respect
for all players on both teams. Cheer in a
positive not negative manner. Encourage
your team, do not berate the other team.
Cheer in a way to reward the good play of both
teams and promote fair play. Under no
circumstance should players on either team be
booed or taunted.
- Never encourage
any behaviors or practices that would endanger
the health and wellbeing of any athlete.
- Not use foul or
abusive language toward anyone for any reason.
- Never resort to
hostility or violence.
- Learn the laws
of the game, policies of the Club and the spirit
of the game.
- To get involved
with the Club, volunteer to assist with the
activities of the Club and promote the game in a
positive way.
- Treat all
players, coaches, officials and fans with
respect regardless of their race, color, creed,
sex or ability.
By allowing your
child to participate in the Owensboro United Soccer
Club, you hereby agree to abide by the Code of
Conduct as stated above.
Approved by USC
Board February 8, 2005
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