Upper Perkiomen Youth Football and Cheerleading Association

PARENT / GUARDIAN CODE OF CONDUCT

CODE OF CONDUCT

1. Parents/guardians shall keep the proper perspective and remember that their child plays sports for their enjoyment,  and that the overall objective is to provide a fun, sports oriented, learning experience for the children.

2. Parents/guardians will support the coaches, players, and cheerleaders, and help teach the value of commitment,  sportsmanship, ethical conduct, and fair play. 

3. Parents/guardians shall support their child’s team, and help make athletic contests a positive, educational  experience. 

4. Parents/guardians shall exhibit exemplary sportsmanship at all times. 

5.Parents/guardians shall abstain from being under the influence of, in possession of, and/or the use of alcoholic  beverages or any illegal substance on both the game and practice fields. No alcohol, tobacco of any kind (including  smokeless), or pets are allowed on school grounds in accordance with the Upper Perkiomen School District policy.

6. Parents/guardians will remember that everyone associated with UPYFA is a volunteer, and that they are taking  time out of their lives/schedules to provide a sporting opportunity for the children

7. Parents/guardians will leave the coaching to the coaching staff, and will encourage their child to play in a manner  consistent with the team’s strategy or plans.

8. Parents/guardians are welcome to attend practices and games. They shall not question, discuss, or confront  coaches during practices or after games when emotions can prevent constructive dialogue. Parents/guardians will  understand that if something does occur in which they disagree; they will request to discuss with the head coach at  an agreed upon time to seek an appropriate solution.

9. Parents/guardians will follow the proper protocol for complaints, grievances, or discrepancies with UPYFA related  volunteers or events through the proper chain of command: (1) Team Head Coach, (2) Football/Cheer Coordinator,  (3) UPYFA Board Member(s), (4) UPYFA Officers.

10. Parents/guardians, or invited guests, will not criticize or engage in any kind of unsportsmanlike conduct with any  official, coach, player, or parent such as booing, taunting, refusing to shake hands, using profane language or  inappropriate gestures or otherwise subverting their authority. 

11. Parents/guardians will refrain from any verbal or physical altercations with, including but not limited to, opposing  team’s parents/players, their own child’s team parents/players, as well as any other players, coaches, officials,  volunteers, etc. while attending any UPYFA related event.

12. Parents/guardians will respect the property and equipment used at any sports facility, both home and away. 13. Parents/guardians will refrain from use of email and social media (Facebook, Twitter, etc) to maliciously and publicly  project a negative image in any form which attacks or harms the reputation of UPYFA, including but not limited to,  opposing team’s parents/children, their own child’s team parents/children, as well as any coaches, officials,  volunteers, etc. Parents/guardians will understand that negative comments of any form on social media relating to  those mentioned above will NOT be tolerated and may result in suspension and/or termination of the  player/cheerleader from the program, regardless if comments made were by the parent or player/cheerleader. 14. Parents/guardians understand that any action at any UPYFA related event where any individual who verbally  abuses, attempts to intimidate, is flagrantly rude to, or does not control their language or actions with a player,  official, coach, spectator, or UPYFA board member will be asked to leave the event. If the individual fails to leave  upon request, law enforcement authorities will be called to remove the individual.

CODE OF CONDUCT ENFORCEMENT  

1. Individuals will be given one warning for inappropriate behavior.

2. Individuals that refuse to stop inappropriate behavior will be asked to leave the field, and their child shall be removed from the practice or the game until the individual has left the field.

3. Other sanctions as deemed necessary by the Board may be enforced, including a permanent ban from the  organization.

4. All decisions by the Board on these matters shall be final, and                                                                   there will be no hearing or appeal.

 PARENT’S RESPONSIBILITIES

1. Parents shall accept that practice is mandatory. Every player/cheerleader is expected to be at all practices and  games on time. Practice begins at 6:00 pm. Your coach will let you know what time you are expected to arrive for  games. If you are unable to make a practice or game, you are expected to contact the coach to let them know  ahead of time. It is important that you make every effort to arrive at your scheduled time. Failure to do so may affect your child’s playing time. Due to unexpected events, such as sudden changes in weather or injuries, parents must  provide the Head Coach or Team Mom/Dad with a number where they can be reached. Parents are required to be at the field 15 minutes prior to practice ending. Do not encourage your child to leave the field without an adult. We  need to know where everyone is at all times.

2. Be on time for games. Being prepared and warmed up is a matter of safety. Late arrivals affect the entire  team/squad, therefore anyone arriving late for:

∙ A football game will not be placed in a skill position on the field until the coach is confident it will not result  in possible injury to the player or others.

∙ Cheer will not participate in that day’s half time routine.

Excessive lateness may result in your child being benched for the game.

3. In order for UPYFA to succeed, we need your help. Please plan on devoting some of your time to helping our children’s program grow and thrive for years to come.

4. Your child’s uniform and equipment is on loan to you from UPYFA. Uniforms and equipment will be handed in at  the end of the season (date to be announced). It is important that you follow all washing instructions given to you.  5. Parents whose children are in grade 6 will be notified by the Middle School if their child’s grades do not meet the  minimum standards set by the PIAA governing the eligibility of students participating in school sports. UPYFA will  not be notified in such instances; therefore, it is the parent’s responsibility to take whatever actions are necessary to  help their child improve their educational performance. To the extent possible, UPYFA will work with the parents  to be partners in helping the child improve their grades.