Sherrills Ford Optimist Ethics

 Optimist Creed
To be so strong that nothing can disturb your peace of mind.
To talk health, happiness and prosperity to every person you meet.
To make all your friends feel that there is something in them.
To look at the sunny side of everything and make your optimism come true.
To think only of the best, to work only for the best and to expect only the best.
To be just as enthusiastic about the success of others as you are about your own.
To forget the mistakes of the past and press on to the greater achievements of the future.
To wear a cheerful countenance at all times and give every living creature you meet a smile.
To give so much time to the improvement of yourself that you have no time to criticize others.
To be too large to worry, too noble for anger, too strong for fear, and too happy to permit the presence of trouble.

 Coaches Code of Ethics
I will place the emotional and physical well being of my players ahead of a personal desire to win.
I will treat each player as an individual, remembering the large range of emotional and physical development for the same age group.
I will do my best to provide a safe playing situation for my players.
I will promise to review and practice basic first aid principles needed to treat injuries of my players.
I will do my best to organize practices that are fun and challenging for all my players.
I will lead by example in demonstrating fair play and sportsmanship to all my players.
I will provide a sports environment for my team that is free of drugs, tobacco, and alcohol, and I will refrain from their use at all youth sports events.
I will be knowledgeable in the rules of each sport that I coach, and I will teach these rules to my players.
I will use those coaching techniques appropriate for all of the skills that I teach.
I will remember that I am a youth sports coach, and that the game is for children and not adults.

 Sport Parent Code of Conduct
Preamble
The essential elements of character-building and ethics in sports are embodied in the concept of sportsmanship and six core principles: trustworthiness, respect, responsibility, fairness, caring, and good citizenship. The highest potential of sports is achieved when competition reflects these “six pillars of character.”

I therefore agree:
  1. I will not force my child to participate in sports.
  2. I will remember that children participate to have fun and that the game is for youth, not adults.
  3. I will learn the rules of the game and the policies of the league.
  4. I (and my guests) will be a positive role model for my child and encourage sportsmanship by showing respect and courtesy, and by demonstrating positive support for all players, coaches, officials and spectators at every game, practice or other sporting event.
  5. I (and my guests) will not engage in any kind of unsportsmanlike conduct with any official, coach, player, or parent such as booing and taunting; refusing to shake hands; or using profane language or gestures.
  6. I will not encourage any behaviors or practices that would endanger the health and well being of the athletes.
  7. I will teach my child to play by the rules and to resolve conflicts without resorting to hostility or violence.
  8. I will demand that my child treat other players, coaches, officials and spectators with respect regardless of race creed, color, sex or ability.
  9. I will teach my child that doing one’s best is more important than winning, so that my child will never feel defeated by the outcome of a game or his/her performance.
  10. I will praise my child for competing fairly and trying hard, and make my child feel like a winner every time.
  11. I will never ridicule or yell at my child or other participant for making a mistake or losing a competition.
  12. I will emphasize skill development and practices and how they benefit my child over winning. I will also dc-emphasize games and competition in the lower age groups.
  13. I will promote the emotional and physical well-being of the athletes ahead of any personal desire I may have for my child to win.
  14. I will respect the officials and their authority during. games and will never question, discuss, or confront coaches at the game field, and will take time to speak with coaches at an agreed upon time and place.
  15. I will demand a sports environment for my child that is free from drugs, tobacco, and alcohol and I will refrain from their use at all sports events.
  16. I will refrain from coaching my child or other players during games and practices, unless I am one of the official coaches of the team.

 Players Code of Ethics
I hereby pledge to be positive about my youth sports experience and accept responsibility for my participation by following this Players' Code of Ethics Pledge.
I will encourage good sportsmanship from fellow players, coaches, officials and parents at every game and practice by demonstrating good sportsmanship.
I will attend every practice and game that I can, and will notify by coach if I cannot.
I will do my very best to listen and learn from my coaches.
I will treat my coaches, other players, officials and fans with respect regardless of race, sex, creed, or abilities and I will expect to be treated accordingly.
I deserve to have fun during my sports experience and will alert parents or coaches if it stops being fun!
I expect to play in an environment that is free of drugs, tobacco, and alcohol and expect adults to refrain from their use at all youth sports events.
I will encourage my parents to be involved with my team or with the Optimist in some capacity because it's important to me.
I will do my very best in school.
I will remember that sports is an opportunity to learn and have fun.