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CODE OF BEHAVIOUR.
Sport has a very special place in Australian society. We are proud of our sporting tradition and look up to our sporting champions from whatever field. Winning of course is a vital part of that tradition - but not as important as the spirit in which the majority of those Australian heroes have played their sport. That spirit stems from our commitment to fair play. The Little Athletics Code of Behaviour produced below is based on the Australian Sports Commission's code for use by organisations conducting sporting programmes for children.
PARENTS - A child's basic training in good sportsmanship comes from the home!
- If children are interested, encourage them to participate. However if your child is not willing, do not force him or her.
- Focus upon your child's efforts and performance rather than the overall outcome of that event. This assists your child in setting realistic goals related to his/her ability by reducing the emphasis on winning.
- Teach your child that honest effort is as important as victory, so that the result of each competition is accepted without undue disappointment.
- Encourage your child to always participate according to the rules.
- Never ridicule or yell at your child for making a mistake or losing a competition.
- Remember children are involved in organised sport for their enjoyment not yours.
- Remember that children learn best by example and; applaud good performance by all athletes.
- If your disagree with an official, raise the issue through the appropriate channels rather than question the official's judgement and honesty in public. Remeber, most officials give their time and effort for your child's involvement.
- Support all efforts to remove verbal and physical abuse from children's sporting activities.
- Recognise the value of their time and resources to provide recreational activities for your child.
COACHES - The best coaches are more interested in their athletes well-being than whether they win or lose!
- Be reasonable in your demands on the young athletes' time, energy and enthusiasm. Remember that they have other interest.
- Teach your athletes that rules of the sport are mutual agreements, which no one should evade or break.
- When coaching group athletes according to age height skill and physical maturity, whenever possible avoid over-attention to the talented athletes. The 'just-average' athletes need and deserve equal time.
- Remember that childrens compete for fun and enjoyment and that winning is only part of thir motivation. Never ridicule or yell at the children for making mistakes or losing in competition.
- Ensure that equipment and facilities meet safety standards and are appropriate t the age and ability of the athletes.
- The scheduling and length of coaching practice times at competitions should tak into concideration the maturity level of the children.
- Develop each athletes respect for the ability of opponents, as well as for the judgement of officials and opposing athletes.
- Follow the advice of a sports medicine physician when determining when an injured athlete is ready to compete or practice again.
- Remember that children need a coach they can respect. Be generous with your praise when it is deserved, and set a good example.
- Make a personal commitment to keep yourself informed on sound coaching principles and the principles of growth and development of children.
ATHLETES - It isn't whether you win or lose, but how you play the game!
- Compete and train for the "fun of it", not just to please your parents or coach.
- Play by the rules.
- Never argue with the officals' decision. Let your Centre Manager or Coach ask any necessary questions.
- Control your temper - no "mouthing off", breaking equipment, throwing implements, or other equipment.
- Work equally for yourself and your team in relay and heats events, your team's performance will benefit and so will your own.
- Be a good sport. Cheer all good performances, wether it be your Centre mates or your opponents.
- Treat all athletes, as you would like to be treated. Don't interfere with, bully or take unfair advantage of any athlete.
- Remember that the goal of training or competition is to have fun, improve your skills and feel good. Don't be a show-off or brag about your own performances.
- Co-operate with your coach, Centre mates and opponents, for without them you dont have a competition.
ADMINISTRATORS, OFFICIALS & SPECTATORS - In Little Athletics, these perople are mostly Parents temporarily performing a different function.
- Remember to behave as a parent should at all times, don't adopt a different code of behaviour just because your role has temporarily changed.
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