CODE OF CONDUCT
Policies
LAA Codes of Conduct
The Langhorne Athletic Association (including the Langhorne Neshaminy United Soccer Club) has adopted these Codes of Conduct for all Parents, Coaches, and Players participating in our in‑house youth sports programs. Everyone is expected to be familiar with, and comply with, the code(s) that apply to them.
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Expectations
LAA hopes and expects that these Codes will be followed by all, and that disciplinary action won’t be necessary. If an alleged or established violation occurs, the reporting and handling process is outlined below.
Sportsmanship Safety Respect
Parents’ Code of Conduct
Parents’ Conduct Pledge
- Encourage good sportsmanship by **positively** supporting all players, coaches, and officials at every event.
- Place the emotional and physical well‑being of your child ahead of a personal desire to win.
- Insist that your child play in a safe and healthy environment.
- Support coaches and officials; encourage a positive and enjoyable experience for all.
- Demand an environment free of drugs, tobacco, and alcohol; refrain from their use at youth events.
- Remember the game is for youth, not adults.
- Do your best to make youth sports fun for your child.
- Ask your child to treat others with respect regardless of race, sex, creed, or ability.
- Help your child enjoy the experience by supporting involvement (cheering, volunteering, transportation).
- Require that your child’s coach be responsible and uphold the Coaches’ Code of Ethics.
“Parents Put Fun First” Philosophy
- Maintain a “Fun is Number One” attitude.
- Treat officials, coaches, your kids, teammates, and opponents with respect; avoid ridicule, criticism, and sarcasm.
- Praise all participants for taking part, regardless of skill level.
- Look for the positives with your kids and their teammates.
- Stay calm when mistakes happen and help kids learn from them.
- Remind kids not to get down on themselves when things don’t go well.
- Keep perspective—there’s life beyond sports.
- Encourage laughter, fun, and a sense of humor.
- Emphasize teamwork—think “we” instead of “me.”
- Model good sportsmanship: win without bragging; lose without complaining.
Coaches’ Code of Conduct
Coaches’ Conduct Pledge
- Encourage good sportsmanship by positively supporting all players, coaches, parents, and officials.
- Place the emotional and physical well‑being of your team ahead of a desire to win.
- Insist that your team play in a safe and healthy environment.
- Support fellow coaches and officials to foster a positive, enjoyable experience for all.
- Demand an environment free of drugs, tobacco, and alcohol; refrain from their use at youth events.
- Remember the game is for youth, not adults.
- Do your best to make youth sports fun for your team.
- Ask your team to treat others with respect regardless of race, sex, creed, or ability.
- Help your team enjoy the experience and encourage positive communication.
- Handle all situations calmly and maturely to maintain LAA’s integrity.
“Coaches Put Fun First” Philosophy
- Keep a “Fun is Number One” attitude.
- Treat officials, coaches, teams, opponents, and parents with respect; avoid ridicule, criticism, and sarcasm.
- Praise your team and their opponents for participation, regardless of skill.
- Look for the positives in your team and opponents.
- Remain calm when players make mistakes and help them learn from them.
- Remind your team not to get down on themselves when things don’t go well.
- Keep perspective—there’s life beyond sports.
- Encourage laughter, fun, and a sense of humor.
- Emphasize teamwork—think “we” instead of “me.”
- Model sportsmanship: win without bragging; lose without complaining.
Poor sportsmanship includes, but isn’t limited to: fighting, swearing, taunting, arguing with an official, and/or arguing with an opposing coach or player.
Players’ Code of Conduct
Sportsmanship is fair play, respect for opponents, and polite behavior by someone competing in a sport.
Expectations for Players
- Treat teammates, coaches, opponents, and officials with respect; avoid ridicule, criticism, and sarcasm.
- Praise and support teammates for participating, regardless of skill level.
- Look for the positives in teammates.
- Stay calm when teammates make mistakes; help them learn.
- Don’t get down or overly upset when things don’t go well.
- Have fun—laugh and keep a sense of humor.
- Be a good teammate—practice a “we” vs. “me” attitude.
- Exemplify good sportsmanship—win without bragging; lose without complaining.
- Treat opponents as you’d like to be treated—as guests or friends.
- Respect the integrity and judgment of coaches.
- Respect the integrity and judgment of game officials, even when you disagree.
Violations: Reporting, Review & Penalties
Reporting a Minor Violation
Submit a written report to your child’s Head Coach, unless the complaint is against the Head Coach. If the complaint is against the Head Coach, report it to the Director of the Sport.
Reporting a Major Violation or Repeated Minors
Submit a written report to the Director of the Sport, with a copy to the Head Coach and the LAA President. A “Repeated Minor Violation” means three or more similar minor violations by the same person in the same season.
Review & Discipline
- All alleged violations are reviewed and resolved fairly and as quickly as possible.
- Minor Violation finding → handled verbally or in writing by the Head Coach or Sport Director; makes clear the violation occurred and must stop. (“Minor Discipline”)
- Major Violations or Repeated Minors → handled in writing and may include a warning, suspension, removal for the season, and/or other fair remedies as deemed appropriate.
- No parent, coach, or player may be suspended or permanently removed (“Major Discipline”) unless authorized by a majority of the LAA Board.
- When possible, the reviewer should provide the complainant a summary of how the matter was handled.
Final Appeal
- If you receive Major Discipline and wish to appeal, submit a written summary to the LAA Board within 7 days of being informed of the penalty.
- Your appeal should state the basis, include all information for consideration, and indicate whether you want to provide a ≤ 15‑minute in‑person presentation.
- Within 7 days of the last event included in the appeal, the Board will issue a final written decision, which is final and binding.
Where to send reports? Use your program’s standard contact path (Head Coach → Sport Director → LAA President). If needed, list emails here or link to the Contact page.