Codes of Conduct

Parents/Caregivers are extremely important to the development of young athletes. Whether just observing from the stands or volunteering with the team, you must always set a positive example and be a role model both on and off the field. As a parent/caregiver/spectator, it is important that you: 

Respect the game, including your child, teammates, and opponents. This means ensuring that your child attends and comes prepared for all practices and games, treats both teammates and opponents with dignity and respect. Good sportsmanship means playing fair and safe, controlling negative emotions, and keeping the spirit of competition a healthy endeavor. 

Respect the officials. Remember officials, umpires, and referees are an important part of the sport and add to the overall experience for your child. It is important that you distinguish between a bad call (human error) and wrong calls (when an official doesn't know the rule). In either case, it is important that you respect all officials and develop tolerance skills for when bad calls are made, which will happen-officials are human and, like all of us, will make mistakes. Refrain from coarse and threatening language, as well as all forms of physical aggression. There is never a place in youth sports to use vulgarities, threaten, intimidate, or use physical aggression. 

Let the coaches coach. While it may be easy to second-guess your child's coach from the sidelines, most parents forget or overlook how challenging it is for coaches to both win games and at the same time make sure that all the players have an opportunity to develop. The job of being a coach is an incredibly challenging task, so be sure to support your child's coach as much as possible.  

Watch for the safety of all players, including physical and emotional dangers. Be sure to pay attention to injuries, including concussions, and respond to them in a timely manner. Additionally, pay attention to signs of youth sports burnout and be sure to respond to your child if they need help. 

Cheer whenever possible and stay away from booing and other negative fan behavior. Youth sports provide a great opportunity for positive fan support, including cheering. Booing and other negative gestures and language from the sidelines are never appropriate, so be sure to stay focused on positively supporting your child's team. 

Ensure that your child knows the Players' Code of Conduct. It is important for all children to follow these rules in order for them to have the best experience possible. 

 As a player, it is important that you: 

• Have fun! 
• Always show respect and good sportsmanship to all coaches, teammates, opposing players, officials, and fans. 
• Be honest and fair. 
• Be committed to your team, coaches, and teammates. 
• Be on time for all practices and games. 
• Be a team player. 
• Not engage in any harassment, intimidation, or bullying of any kind. 

No drug, alcohol, or tobacco use is permitted by players, nor is it allowed at any WYB function. 

Coaches are extremely important to the development of young athletes. During practices and games, coaches must always set a positive example and be a role model, both on and off the field.  As a coach, it is important that you: 

• Remember that children participate to have fun, and that the game is for the players, not the adults. 
• Learn the rules of the league and abide by them. 
• Be a positive role model for the players and encourage good sportsmanship by showing respect and courtesy for all players, coaches, officials, and spectators at every game, practice, or sporting event. 
• Ensure that the players and parents/caregivers abide by the aforementioned Codes of Conduct. 
• Respect all officials, referees, administrators, etc. during all WYB sporting events. 
• Not engage in any kind of unsportsmanlike conduct with any official, coach, player, or parent. 
• Only give constructive criticism to a player in private, i.e. speak to the child discreetly and respectfully, so as to help them grow and not be embarrassed.
• Not use drugs, alcohol, or tobacco during any WYB function. 

If there is a compliance infraction of any of the aforementioned WYB Codes of Conduct, the procedure for addressing the issue will be as follows: 

• The parent/caregiver, spectator, coach, volunteer or player will be contacted by a representative from WYB. 
• The representative from WYB will schedule a time to meet, either in-person or via phone call, with the individual(s) to discuss the infraction. This meeting will be scheduled as soon as possible after WYB has been made aware of the infraction. 
• The WYB Board of Directors will evaluate the situation and provide the Director of Operations with the necessary information for what steps should be taken next. This could result in any of the disciplinary actions listed below. 
• After a decision has been made, the parent/caregiver, spectator, coach, volunteer, or player will be notified by the Director of Operations and the appropriate action will be followed. 

Failure to follow the Codes of Conduct set forth may result in disciplinary action including, but not limited to, the following consequences depending on the severity of the offense: 

• Strike 1: Verbal or written warning. 
• Strike 2: Temporary suspension from youth sports practices and games. Must complete training determined by the Executive Director. 
• Strike 3: Permanent suspension from all WYB activities. 
• Any other action deemed appropriate by the WYB Board of Directors.