Updated March 2015

Players who are members of Spokane Soccer Club Shadow understand playing premier, select or developmental soccer demands Spokane Soccer Club Shadow Premier Selecttremendous commitment and dedication to the game and their team. Likewise, parents make great commitment and sacrifice for their sons/daughters to participate in SSC Shadow. Our coaches must be dedicated to the player development mission of the club and maintain the highest standards of professional and personal conduct at all times. Being a part of SSC Shadow is a privilege. As players, parents and coaches, we understand and agree to the following policies:

SSC Shadow Club Expectations

Players who are members of Spokane Soccer Club Shadow understand playing premier, select or developmental soccer demands tremendous commitment and dedication to the game and their team. Likewise, parents make great commitment and sacrifice for their sons/daughters to participate in SSC Shadow. Our coaches must be dedicated to the player development mission of the club and maintain the highest standards of professional and personal conduct at all times. Being a part of SSC Shadow is a privilege. As players, parents and coaches, we understand and agree to the following policies:

Player Responsibilities

• All players will treat officials and opponents with dignity and respect.
  All players, regardless of ability and/or playing time are equal members of the team. Each and every player will treat all teammates with acceptance and respect.
• All players will strive to provide maximum effort in training sessions and games.
• All players must wear club specified training gear and sweats (once available) to all training sessions.
  Training Gear Consists of SSC Shadow Sweatshirt or Jacket, Practice T-Shirt, Navy Shorts and Navy Socks.
• All players may only wear Adidas game uniform, pre-game training t-shirts and Adidas sweats at games (NO SCHOOL SWEATS, TOURNAMENT SWEATSHIRTS, and NON-CLUB ADIDAS OR OTHER BRAND GEAR, ETC.).
• Attendance at all practices and games is mandatory. While injured players may be unable to play, they are still expected to arrive on time, listen to instructions, encourage teammates and assist the team unless prearranged with the coach.
• In rare situations, players may be excused from games and/or practices. When this occurs, players are responsible for informing the coach, in writing, at the earliest possible time. The only exceptions are:

a. In crisis situations, when written excuses are not possible players are still responsible for verbally informing the coach prior to the event.

b. In emergency situations when prior contact is not possible, the coach will be contacted at the earliest possible time following the game or practice.

• When players miss practices and/or games, playing time in future game(s) may be affected.
• Unexcused absences are absences in which the coach was not informed in the manner described above and/or the reason for the absence is not satisfactory. An unexcused absence from a practice and/or game may result in the suspension of the player from the next game in which the player is eligible to play.
• Players are to be on time for games and practices. Tardiness may affect playing time in games. Chronic lateness may result in suspension of the player.
• If a player is asked to participate in any competition as a guest player for a different team, SSC Shadow Guest Playing Policy must be followed. See Club Policies for detail.
• While close friendships are natural on teams, all players have a responsibility to make sure all other teammates are accepted and included, both on and off the field.
• Players are to treat coaches with honesty, dignity and respect at all times. They are to abide by coaching decisions and rules. Players accept the fact that coaches have responsibility for directing, correcting and guiding players in all SSC Shadow activities.
• Players are expected to directly seek understanding and resolution when questions or problems arise with coaches or teammates.
• Players will conduct their personal lives in a manner that brings honor to themselves and the team. This includes school performance, self-respect, healthy behaviors and social responsibility.

Parent Responsibilities

• I pledge to provide positive support, care and encouragement for my child participating in the SSC Shadow program by following this Parent Code of Conduct.
• I will be responsible for my behavior, as well as the behavior of my child, my family and those who attend the games/practices as my guest.
• I will place the emotional and physical well-being of my child ahead of my personal desire to win.
• I will be in control of my emotions.
• I will remain in the spectator area during all games and practices.
• I will insist that my child play in a safe and healthy environment.
• I will not advise the coaches, referees or assistant referees on how to do their jobs.
• I will not coach my child during practices and games.
• I will support coaches, referees and assistant referees working with my child, in order to encourage a positive and enjoyable experience for all.
• I will demand a sports environment for my child that is free from drugs, tobacco and alcohol and will refrain from there use at all games, practices and events.
• I will remember that the game is for youth - not adults - and that participation in the SSC Shadow program is a privilege, not a right.
• I will do my best to make youth sports fun for my child.
• I will demand that my child treat all players, coaches, fans, referees and assistant referees with respect regardless of race, sex, creed or ability.
• I will be a positive role model for my child and encourage good sportsmanship by showing respect and courtesy, and by demonstrating positive support for all players, coaches, referees, assistant referees and spectators at every practice, game or event.
• I will not engage in any kind of unsportsmanlike conduct with any referee, assistant referee, coach, player, or parent, such as booing or taunting; refusing to shake hands; using profane language or gestures; or making insulting comments to players, parents, referees, assistant referees or coaches of either team.
• I agree to abide by the Inland Empire Soccer Referee Association’s (IESRA) Policy to Address Irresponsible Behavior at Soccer Matches. This policy was implemented to help prevent physical and verbal abuse against referees and assistant referees within the soccer community, and applies to all coaches, players, parents and spectators. A copy of the IESRA’s policy can be downloaded at www.spokaneref.org/resources
• I will respect the referees and assistant referees and their authority during games and will never question, discuss or confront the referees, assistant referees or coaches at the game field, and will take time to speak with coaches, referees and assistant referees at an appropriate, agreed upon time. If I feel an issue has not been resolved after speaking with the referees and/or assistant referees at such agreed upon time, I may report my feedback or complaint at www.spokaneref.org/evaluation.
• I understand and agree that, in the event of any improper parent conduct at any game, practice or event, I will be asked to leave the sport facility immediately. A violation may also result in a probationary period, suspension, expulsion, the season forfeiture of the privilege of attending all games, and/or any additional actions the Board of Directors deems necessary after conducting a hearing.
• I will pay all SSC Shadow club dues and fees in a timely manner. I understand and agree that my failure to pay all dues and fees in a timely manner may result in late fees being assessed on my account, that my child may be suspended from participating in practices, games and events, and that my child may not be allowed to attend SSC Shadow tryouts in the event that there are past due and owing club dues and fees on my account.
• By clicking “accept” below, my family, guests and I agree to uphold and abide by this Parent Code of Conduct and the Bylaws of SSC Shadow.

Coaching Responsibilities

• Coaches are responsible to abide by the rules of conduct embodied in the spirit of this document.
• Coaches will balance individual growth, social development, and the acquisition of soccer knowledge and skills in working with individual players and the team as a whole.
• Coaches will train players to play with good sportsmanship and to abide by the Laws of the Game. Success comes from the pursuit of working to be better and that is what coaches will strive to do.
• Coaches will promote a positive atmosphere in all SSC Shadow activities.
• Coaches will devote the time and skill necessary for the good of the team.
• Coaches will treat players, parents, officials and opponents with respect.

Coaching Roles

The Head Coach is responsible for the following:

a. Organizing, convening and directing team training sessions and games.
b. Supervising the team at the field of play and setting team rules (e.g. curfew, meals, and team meetings) off the field of play.
c. Mentoring and disciplining players and directing player behavior.
d. Coordinating with the team manager.
e. Communicating and collaborating with other SSC Shadow personnel.
f. Mediating concerns and problems with players and/or parents.
g. Other responsibilities as necessary.

All Shadow players, parents and coaches will follow FIFA’s Code of Conduct:

1. Play to win
2. Play fair
3. Observe the Laws of the Game
4. Respect Opponents, Teammates, Referees, Officials and Spectators
5. Accept Defeat with Dignity
6. Promote the best interest of Soccer
7. Reject Corruption, Drugs, Racism and Violence

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