Code of Conduct for Athletes, Spectators, and Coaches
 
Code for Athletes
 
The Surrey Secondary Schools Athletic Association your school considers it to be a privilege to represent your school in an athletic competition.  Therefore, certain behavioural expectations come with this selection. Student athletes are expected to uphold the following standards:

• Treat all participants fairly regardless of gender, race, sexual orientation, religion, physical or mental abilities, political belief or economic status.
• Embrace the highest ideals of sportsmanship, ethical conduct and fair play. Be modest in victory and gracious in defeat.
• Show respect and give courtesy to opponents, officials, volunteers, teammates, spectators and coaches at all times.
• Uphold the rules of the sport, spirit of such rules and encourage other athletes to do the same.
• Represent yourself, your parents, your school and your community with proper conduct at all times on or off the playing field.
• Respect other athletes’ dignity and acknowledge that verbal or physical behaviour that constitutes harassment or abuse is unacceptable.
• Participate in a manner that ensures the safety of fans, athletes, coaches and officials.
• Accept decisions of officials without dispute.
• Shall not use the media, social media or networking forums to criticize or threaten other student-athletes, coaches, officials, school teams, spectators or SSSAA.
• Demonstrate that it is a privilege to represent your school.

 
Code for Spectators
 
The SSSAA is committed to ensuring that all student-athletes, coaches and other individuals involved in SSSAA activities have the opportunity to participate in a safe and enjoyable environment. Attendance at any SSSAA event entitles you to enjoy an exhibition of skills developed by athletes in an educational setting. Spectators are expected to conduct themselves in a manner which supports the values of SSSAA, and encourages the development of all student-athletes. Spectators are expected to uphold the following standards:

• Show respect to all individuals including, student-athletes, coaches, officials, volunteers and fellow spectators.
• Shall not use foul, profane, harassing or offensive language or gestures while in attendance at any SSSAA event.
• Abstain from consuming any unlicensed alcohol or illegal substances during any SSSAA events.
• Remain in designated spectators zones at event locations.
• Shall not use the media, social media or networking forums to criticize or threaten student-athletes, coaches, officials, school teams, other spectators or SSSAA.

 
Code for Coaches
 
The Surrey Secondary Schools Athletic Association seeks to ensure that all athletics related activities are fair, positive, and enjoyable experiences for all students and adults involved. All coaches should adhere to the following code of conduct.
 
COMMITMENT TO PLAYERS
Coaches shall:

• treat their own players and opponents with respect;
• Inspire a love of the game and a desire to compete fairly;
• put the welfare of their athletes above all else while maintaining a professional relationship with them;
• shall encourage athletes to exhibit sportsmanship at all times;
• treat all participants fairly regardless of gender, race, sexual orientation, religion, physical or mental abilities, political belief or economic status;
• not use physical force of any kind, and refrain from the use of profane, insulting, harassing or offensive language or gestures in the conduct of coaching duties;
• Not, under any circumstances, require, suggest, or imply that a student-athlete must be involved in any summer program or club program as part of their responsibilities as a school team member.
• Shall not, under any circumstances, endorse, recommend, or suggest the use of performance-enhancing drugs or supplements by student-athletes

 
COMMITMENT TO THE SCHOOL COMMUNITY
Coaches shall:

• Recognize that school sports is an extension of the classroom, and shall conduct themselves accordingly when performing coaching duties;
• Recognize they are reflecting and representing their school community and behave in such a way that shall bring credit to their school and to themselves;
• Behaviour that shows integrity, respect, care and honesty;
• Not, under any circumstances, start pre-season tryouts or practices to the detriment of any in-season sports;
• Not, under any circumstances, require, suggest or imply that a student-athlete cannot or should not participate in any sport in the season preceding or following the coach’s season of play;
• Not, use tobacco, alcohol and or drug products while in the presence of student-athletes, and shall discourage their use, along with performance-enhancing drugs, by student-athletes.

 
DURING PRACTICE
Coaches shall:

• Treat everyone fairly within the context of the activity;
• Direct comments at the performance, rather than the person;
• Provide a safe playing situation for student-athletes by ensuring that the activity is suitable for the age, experience, ability and fitness level of the payers and by education players about responsibilities in contributing to a safe environment;
• Do their best to organize practices that are instructional, fun, challenging and growth focused to all players;
• Be knowledgeable in the rules of the game and teach these rules to the student-athletes.

 
DURING A GAME/TOURNAMENT/COMPETITION
Coaches shall:

• Lead by example in demonstrating and promoting fair play and sportsmanship to all participants;
• Place the emotional and physical well-being of players ahead of a personal desire to win;
• Refrain from public criticism of players, fellow coaches, managers, officials, scorekeepers and or table officials (includes social media);
• Accept responsibility for the sportsmanship and conduct of your players;
• Fulfill all competition, invitational, playoff and championship competitive and event obligations;
• Observe the rules of the sport, the spirit of the rules of the sport, and shall encourage student-athletes to do the same.

 
WITH OFFICIALS, SCOREKEEPERS AND TABLE OFFICIALS
Coaches shall:

• Respect the judgment, rulings and interpretation of the officials, scorekeeper and table officials without gesture, argument, foul, profane, harassing or offensive language, and shall require student-athletes to do the same;
• Demonstrate respect and support for officials, scorekeepers and table officials, and encourage student-athletes to do the same;
• Recognize that at most levels of play, officials, scorekeepers, and table officials are sometimes young and inexperienced and will require more patience and support.

 
All coaches of SSSAA member schools must read the Coaches Code of Conduct and sign the SSSAA Coaches Code of Conduct Agreement.  This will be done annually.  Athletic Directors will retain a copy of the signed Agreements for the current school year.
 
 
Out-of-Season Play
 
Consistent with the concept that interscholastic athletics are a part of the educational system, and consistent with the established goals of health, safety, sportsmanship and equality of competition, the following guidelines for out of season regulations are set forth:

1. The basic responsibility of all administrators, teachers and coaches is to provide students, who are participating in interscholastic athletics, with a worthwhile, educational experience

 

2. All sports have a defined season and no sport shall operate to the detriment of any other sport

 

3. A student should have the opportunity to participate in as many interscholastic athletic experiences as reasonably possible, and anything that serves to prevent this opportunity is contrary to the philosophy of BC SCHOOL SPORTS and this association

 
 
Out-of-Season Opportunities for Students
 
If a school coach, athlete or combination group wishes to compete in a sport recognized by BC SCHOOL SPORTS outside the seasons of play as defined in the BCSS Handbook, the following steps must be taken and/or regulations followed:

1. The individual or team desiring to compete must affiliate with the appropriate provincial sport organization

 

2. The individual or team must not use the school name, stationery, accounting system or wear the school uniform during competition

 

3. The individual, league or team is responsible for suitable and appropriate insurance coverage (medical, liability, etc.)

 

4. The individual or team must book school facilities in accordance with school or district policy.  These facility times must not be in conflict with in season practices or league play.

 

5. The Administrators of the school shall ensure that the out of season sport not operate to the detriment of any in season sport

 
Recommendation:
 
The parents of the individuals competing must receive notification from the school and acknowledge in writing that the competitive experience being provided is not part of the regular interscholastic athletic program of the school.
 
   
Any discrepancies in SSSAA Rules and Regulations will be superseded by BCSS Rules and Regulations