As a Coach, I will:

Respect others, in victory and defeat by:

• Treating players, parents, opponents, coaches, and other officials fairly, regardless of gender, ethnic background, colour, sexual orientation, religion, political belief, or economic status.

• Directing all comments at the performance rather than the person.

• Never criticize other coaches.

Put the health and wellbeing of my athletes first by:

• Co-operating with the parents or legal guardians of my athletes, involving them in their child’s development.

• Conducting practices and games in ways that are mindful of the academic pressures placed on my student-athletes and promoting their academic success.

• Ensuring that the activity being undertaken is suitable to the age, experience, ability, and fitness level of the athletes.

• Co-operating with registered medical practitioners in the overall management of my athletes’ medical and psychological health.

Be a good role model by:

• Displaying high personal standards.

• Abstaining from and not tolerating the use of drugs, alcohol, and tobacco products in conjunction with sport, and discouraging their use and that of other banned performance-enhancing drugs by athletes at all times.

• Not using profane, insulting, harassing, or otherwise offensive language.

Stand on guard against abuse and promote a safe environment by:

• Reporting any suspicion of sexual abuse (and other situations when a child may be in need of protection, such as neglect or any type of maltreatment) to the authorities and advising the board of executives.

• Refraining from verbal or physical behaviours that constitute harassment or abuse.

• Educating athletes about their responsibilities in contributing to a safe environment.

As a Player, I will:

• Play by the rules and in the spirit of the game.

• Respect my fellow players, my coaches, the officials, my opponents, and the game.

• Do my best to be a true team player.

• Remember that winning isn’t everything, that having fun, improving my skills, making friends, and doing my best are just as important.

• Acknowledge all good plays or performances, both those of my team and my opponents.

• Participate because I want to, not just because my parents or coaches want me to.

• Control my temper—fighting and mouthing off spoil the game for everyone.

• Remember that coaches and officials are there to help. I will accept their decisions and show them respect.

As a Parent, I will:

• Remember that my child plays sports for their enjoyment, not for mine.

• Encourage my child to play by the rules and to resolve conflicts without resorting to hostility or violence.

• Teach my child that doing one’s best is as important as winning so that my child will never feel severely defeated by the outcome of a game or event. 

• Make my child feel like a winner every time by offering praise for competing fairly and trying hard.

• Never ridicule or yell at my child, or another child, for making a mistake or losing a competition.

• Remember that children learn best by example. I will applaud good performances by both my child’s team and their opponents.

• Never force my child to participate in sports.

• Never question the official’s judgment or honesty in public—I will take concerns to the proper officials.

• Respect and show appreciation for the trained volunteer coaches and other team leaders who give their time and energy to provide sport activities that help my child grow and develop.

Additional Parent Responsibility:

• I understand that any fines issued by the OLA (Ontario Lacrosse Association), OMFLL (Ontario Minor Field Lacrosse League) and/or Zone 9 for non-compliance with PRMLA (Pelham Raiders Minor Lacrosse Association), OLA, OMFLL and/or Zone 9 regulations and policies, will be the responsibility of the parents to pay, even if such fines are issued to the player.

• Abstaining from and not tolerating the use of drugs, alcohol, and tobacco products and discouraging their use in conjunction with minor sports and in accordance with the OLA Substance Misuse Policy.