Smash Padel actively endorses that all people involved in Padel have a right to participate in a safe and supportive environment. We love our sport; however, this can at times create unpleasant situations. Over-zealous parents, opinionated players and quick-tempered coaches may need to be reminded of appropriate behaviour when involved with junior sport. We have developed a ‘Code of Behaviour’ to remind and encourage all of our players and visitors to support and nurture all our young players. These behaviours provide the basis for fair play for young people and encourage fun, friendships and safe environments.
The itemised behaviours below identify a series of key principles on which young players, parents, coaches, and administrators should base their sporting involvement. The Codes will ensure that young people develop good sporting behaviours and have an enjoyable experience of sport, which will encourage them to remain involved throughout their lives.
Players
- Players Play by the rules. Never argue with an official. If you disagree, have your captain, coach or manager approach the official during a break or after the competition.
- Control your temper. Verbal abuse of officials, sledging other players, deliberately distracting, or provoking an opponent are not acceptable or permitted behaviours in any sport.
- Work equally hard for yourself and/or your team. Your team’s performance will benefit and so will you.
- Be a good sport. Applaud all good plays whether they are made by your team or the opposition.
- Treat all participants in your sport as you like to be treated. Do not bully or take unfair advantage of another competitor.
- Cooperate with your coach, teammates and opponents. Without them, there would be no competition.
- Participate for your own enjoyment and benefit, not just to please your parents and coaches.
- Respect the rights, dignity and worth of all participants regardless of their gender, ability, cultural background or religion.
- If players disrespect coaches, competitors or team mates then you will be asked to leave the court
Parents
- Remember that children participate in sport for their enjoyment, not yours.
- Encourage children to participate, do not force them.
- Focus on your child’s efforts and performance rather than whether they win or lose.
- Encourage children to play according to the rules and to settle disagreements without resorting to hostility or violence.
- Never ridicule or yell at a child for making a mistake or losing a competition.
- Remember that children learn best by example. Appreciate good performance and skilful plays by all participants.
- Support all efforts to remove verbal and physical abuse from sporting activities.
- Respect officials decisions and teach children to do likewise
- Show appreciation for volunteer coaches, officials and administrators. Without them, your child could not participate.
- Respect the rights, dignity and worth of every young person regardless of their gender, ability, cultural background or religion.
Coaches
- Remember that young people participate for pleasure, and winning is only part of the fun.
- Never ridicule or yell at a young player for making a mistake or not coming first.
- Be reasonable in your demands on players’ time, energy and enthusiasm.
- Operate within the rules and spirit of your sport and teach your players to do the same.
- Ensure that the time players spend with you is a positive experience. All young people are deserving of equal attention and opportunities.
- Avoid overplaying the talented players; the ‘just average’ need and deserve equal time.
- Ensure that equipment and facilities meet safety standards and are appropriate to the age and ability of all players.
- Display control, respect and professionalism to all involved with the sport. This includes opponents, coaches, officials, administrators, the media, parents and spectators. Encourage players to do the same.
- Show concern and caution towards sick and injured players. Follow the advice of a physician when determining whether an injured player is ready to recommence training or competition.
- Obtain appropriate qualifications and keep up to date with the latest coaching practices and the principles of growth and development of young people.
- Any physical contact with a young person should be appropriate to the situation and necessary for the player’s skill development.
- Respect the rights, dignity and worth of every young person regardless of their gender, ability, cultural background or religion.
Administrators
- Involve young people in planning, leadership, evaluation and decision-making related to the activity.
- Give all young people equal opportunities to participate.
- Create pathways for young people to participate in sport, not just as a player but also as a coach, referee, administrator, etc.
- Ensure that rules, equipment, length of games and training schedules are modified to suit the age, ability and maturity level of young players.
- Provide quality supervision and instruction for junior players.
- Remember that young people participate for their enjoyment and benefit. Do not over-emphasise awards.
- Help coaches and officials highlight appropriate behaviour and skill development, and help improve the standards of coaching and officiating.
- Ensure that everyone involved in junior sport emphasises fair play, rather than winning at all costs.
- Give a code of behaviour sheet to spectators, officials, parents, coaches, players and the media, and encourage them to follow it.
- Remember, you set an example. Your behaviour and comments should be positive and supportive.
- Make it clear that abusing young people in any way is unacceptable and will result in disciplinary action.
- Respect the rights, dignity and worth of every young person regardless of their gender, ability, cultural background or religion.