SPORTSMANSHIP POLICY STATEMENT The Rugby Public School district believes that sports programs serve educational purposes in the lives of the district s students. One of these purposes is the development of good sportsmanship. The primary focus of the challenge of achieving good sportsmanship is on the student, but others are involved. The School Board believes that administrators must insist that good sportsmanship is the goal; athletic directors must realize the value of sportsmanship and set the tone for the implementation of its good practice. The coaches must accept the responsibility of making each athletic contest a showcase for education. They are expected to be models of self-control and dignity for players and spectators. The players must be taught to handle themselves in a sportsmanlike way; they are also expected to project good sportsmanship in the activities in which they participate. Student fans must be reminded that their conduct reflects on their school, and that poor sportsmanship will not be tolerated. Adult spectators must realize that they also must exhibit good sportsmanship at athletic events. Spectators serve as a model for their own children and for other young people in the community. Spectators also need to demonstrate self control and dignity while participating in athletic events. Administrators and coaches shall practice good sportsmanship. Students will be taught good sportsmanship and be held accountable for their actions. Spectators will be reminded and encouraged to be appropriate role models for young people. The School board will support staff and administrators who enforce sportsmanship rules at athletic and other competitive events, including evicting students or adults who violate the district policy. The administration and coaches shall also find ways to reward positive examples of sportsmanship. This should not be confined to participating players or athletes but should include any student body member present as well as any adult fan the demonstrates positive sportsmanship. 1
School Board RUGBY PUBLIC SCHOOLS CODES OF CONDUCT Adopt policies/resolutions that promote the ideals of sportsmanship. Serve as a positive role model and expect the same from parents, participants, coaches and other school personnel. Support and reward participants, coaches, school administrators and fans who display good sportsmanship. Recognize the value of school activities as a vital part of education. Attend and enjoy school activities. Apply sportsmanship policies/rules equitably at all times. School Administrators Develop a program for teaching and promoting sportsmanship. Provide appropriate supervisory personnel for each interscholastic event. Recognize exemplary behavior and actively discourage undesirable conduct by participants, coaches and fans. Attend events whenever possible. Apply sportsmanship policies/rules equitably at all times. Develop a crowd control plan for both home and away games. Coaches Follow the rules of the sport during the progress of the contest. Accept the decisions of contest officials. Avoid offensive gestures or language. Display modesty in victory and graciousness in defeat. Avoid the public criticism of game officials. Teach sportsmanship and reward/acknowledge players that display good sportsmanship. Provide instruction, training and motivation without put-downs and/or the use of abusive language. Educate and sensitize themselves to cultural differences gender equity and disability issues. Student-Athletes Show respect at all times for coaches, opponents and game officials. Accept the decisions of contest officials. Avoid offensive gestures or language. Display modesty in victory and graciousness in defeat. Follow the rules of the game. Respect the opposing team. Not only player and cheerleaders but fans as well. Rise and show respect for both teams school song when being played. Spectators Avoid criticism of game officials and sideline coaching which may side track the athletes from their performance. Stay off the playing area. Take part in cheers with cheerleaders. 2
Work cooperatively with contest officials and supervisors in keeping order. Respect the opposing team. Not only player and cheerleaders but fans as well. Rise and show respect for both teams school song when being played Cheerleaders/Bands Know the contest rules and cheer/play at proper times. Encourage support for any injured participant. Show respect for opposing cheerleaders/bands. Lead positive cheers with praise your team without antagonizing the opponents. Dress is school-approved uniforms. Show respect at all times for officials, opponents and spectators. Officials Accept your role in an unassuming manner. Know the rules, apply them equitably at all times and keep the game moving. Publicly shake hands with coaches of both teams before the contest. Never show emotions or argue with a player, coach, or fan. When watching a game as a spectator, give the officials the same respect you expect to receive when working a contest. Contest Workers Supervise all areas of the facility including parking lots and restrooms. Be consistent in applying sportsmanship policies and rules. Wear jackets, armbands or badges so they are easily identifiable. Establish/communicate emergency procedures. ACCEPTABLE BEHAVIOR Accept all decisions of contest officials. Applaud during player introductions. Shaking hands with opponents who foul out of the game. Cheerleaders leading fans in positive cheers. Handshakes between participants and coaches at the end of the contest, regardless of the outcome. Treat the competition as a GAME. Everyone showing concern for an injured player, regardless of team. UNACCEPTABLE BEHAVIOR Disrespectful or derogatory yells, chants, songs or gestures. Booing or heckling an official s decision. Criticizing officials in any way. Yells that antagonize opponents. Refusing to shake hands. Blaming the loss of a game on an official, coach or participant. Taunting or name calling to distract an opponent. Use of profanity. Doing own yells instead of following lead of cheerleaders. Hand-held signs containing derogatory language. 3
CODES OF ETHICS Coach - A coach shall adhere to the NDHSCA Code of Ethics. NDHSCA Code of Ethics Exemplify the highest moral character, behavior and leadership Respect the integrity and personality of the individual athlete Abide by the rules of the game in letter and spirit Respect the integrity and judgment of sports officials Demonstrate a mastery of and continuing interest in coaching principles and techniques through professional improvement Encourage a respect for all athletics and their values Display modesty in victory and graciousness in defeat Promote ethical relationships among coaches Fulfill responsibilities to provide health services and an environment free of safety hazards Encourage the highest standards of conduct and scholastic achievement among all athletes Seek to inculcate good health habits including the establishment of sound training rules Strive to develop in each athlete the qualities of leadership, initiative and good judgment Examples of Negative Behavior Making degrading/critical remarks about officials during or after a contest either on the field of play, from the bench or through any public news media. Arguing with officials or going through motions indicating dislike/disdain for a decision. Detaining the officials following the contest to request a ruling or explanation of actions taken by the official. Being ejected from any contest. Players - As a student participating in my school s interscholastic activities, I understand and accept the following responsibilities: I will respect the rights and beliefs of others and will treat others with courtesy and consideration. I will be fully responsible for my own actions and the consequences of my actions. I will respect the property of others. I will respect and obey the rules of my school and the laws of my community, state and country. I will show respect to those who are responsible for enforcing the rules of my school and the laws of my community, state and country. NOTE: Any allegation of sexual, racial or religious harassment or violence may also constitute a violation of the Student Code of Responsibilities. 4
EVALUATION PROCESS During the course of each school year, Rugby Public School will hold evaluation meetings to determine the effectiveness of the sportsmanship program. These meeting will be held at the end of each group of seasons ie.. Fall, Winter, Spring. Items to consider in the evaluation process may include: promotional activities team and fan behavior school procedures to handle conflicts recognition programs to reward good sports behavior crowd control plans codes of conduct contingency plan PRE-SEASON MEETINGS The preseason meeting will be mandatory for parents or guardians of students who participate in athletic activities at Rugby Public School. Meetings will be held at the beginning of each season. The parent of guardian must only attend one meeting during the year. A parent or guardian of each athlete must sign off that they have attended a meeting before the athlete will be allowed to participate. The office shall keep a list of parents or guardians that have attended. Example: You have a daughter who is in volleyball, is a cheerleader and participates in track. You will only have to go to one meeting but that meeting must be before the volleyball season. **Note procedural activites and promotional strategeies and examples of ideas to be used will be kept on file in the Principal and Athletic Directors office. 5