Norwood Basketball Codes of Behaviour

At Norwood Basketball Club, we seek to provide a safe, fair and inclusive environment for everyone involved in our organisation and in our sport. To achieve this, we require certain standards of behaviour of players/athletes, coaches, officials, administrators, parents/guardians (of child participants) and spectators.

Our codes of behaviour are underpinned by the following core values.

• To act within the rules and spirit of our sport.
• To display respect and courtesy towards everyone involved in our sport and prevent discrimination and harassment.
• To prioritise the safety and well-being of children and young people involved in our sport.
• To encourage and support opportunities for participation in all aspects of our sport.

B1: Coaches, Officials and Support Staff

As a coach, official or support staff member appointed by Norwood Basketball Club, you are expected to meet the following requirements in regard to your conduct at all times.

1. Comply and encourage compliance with Norwood Basketball standards, Constitution, By-Laws (including but not limited to the Anti-Doping and Member Protection Policies) and policies.
2. Encourage and adhere to the rules and spirit of the sport of basketball including national and international guidelines, regulations and rules that govern Norwood Basketball and the game of basketball and the particular competition in which you are participating.
3. Make a commitment to providing a quality service to athletes, Norwood Basketball Club and the game of basketball by:
   1. Maintaining or improving your current level of accreditation;
   2. Seeking continual improvement through performance appraisal and education;
   3. Providing a training program which is planned and sequential; and
   4. Maintaining relevant records.
4. Be fair, considerate and honest with all players, officials and team members. Ensure that every player’s time spent with you is a positive experience. Treat each player as an individual by:
   1. Providing each player with equal attention and opportunities;
   2. Respecting the talent, developmental stage and goals of each individual player; and
   3. Helping each player reach his or her full potential.
5. Do not use your involvement with Norwood Basketball Club to promote your own beliefs, behaviours or practices where these are inconsistent with those of Norwood Basketball Club.
6. Refrain from any form of abuse, harassment or discrimination, or any conduct which might reasonably be regarded as abuse, harassment or discrimination towards others. Be alert to any conduct which may be reasonably regarded as abuse, harassment or discrimination that is directed towards athletes from other sources whilst they are in your care.
7. Ensure that any physical contact with players is appropriate for the situation and necessary for the player’s skill development.
8. Refrain from any intimate relationship or affair with athletes under your care, supervision or tutelage.
9. Avoid unaccompanied and unobserved activities with persons under the age of 18 years wherever possible.
10. Treat people involved in the game of basketball with courtesy, respect and proper regard for their rights and obligations and in particular, respect the spirit of fair play and non-violence.
11. Team coaching staff and management should not remain in team changing rooms unnecessarily. Generally, coaching staff and management should only be required in changing rooms for pre-game or post-game meetings between coaches and athletes, or if attendance is otherwise required by an athlete.
12. Refrain from any conduct which is; might be reasonably regarded as; or is being investigated for potentially being a breach of the criminal law applicable to the jurisdiction in which you are located at any time.
13. Do not denigrate and/or intimidate players, officials, spectators or event organisers.
14. Refrain from unnecessary or obvious dissension, displeasure or disapproval with officials’ decisions or spectator or player conduct.
15. Be responsible in the consumption of alcohol products. You must also be responsible for the consumption of alcohol products by athletes in your care that are under the legal age for consumption of such products.
16. Treat another person’s property with respect and due consideration of its value.
17. Respect the law and customs of each area you visit in foreign countries.
18. Do not make statements or take part or otherwise participate in demonstrations (whether verbally, in writing or by any act or omission) regarding political, religious or racial matters or any such matters which are prejudicial to or contrary to the objects, purposes or interests of Norwood Basketball Club or which bring Norwood Basketball Club or the squad or team into disrepute.
19. Show concern and caution towards sick and injured athletes by:
    1. Providing a modified training program where appropriate;
    2. Allowing further participation in training and competition only when appropriate;
    3. Seeking medical advice when required; and
    4. Maintaining the same interest and support towards sick and injured athletes.
20. Provide a safe environment for training and facilities and competition by:
    1. Ensuring equipment and facilities meet safety standards; and
    2. Ensuring equipment, rules and the environment are appropriate for the age and ability of the athletes.
21. Behave and encourage behaviour that upholds the highest standards of integrity and dignity. Uphold, and not injure or compromise, the standing and reputation of Basketball Australia and/or Constituent Associations.
22. Not engage in, or encourage, any conduct which is unbecoming of a Norwood Basketball representative that brings the game of basketball and/or Norwood Basketball into disrepute or is otherwise harmful to the interests of basketball and/or Norwood Basketball.
23. Be a positive role model for basketball and players. Encourage your player’s to demonstrate the qualities outlined in this Code. Respect the law and customs of each area you visit in foreign countries.

B2: 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 and 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, 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, team-mates and opponents. Without them there would be no competition.
• Participate for your own enjoyment and benefit, not just to please parents and coaches.
• Respect the rights, dignity and worth of all participants regardless of their gender, ability, cultural background or religion.

B3: Parents

• Remember that children participate in sport for their enjoyment, not yours.
• Encourage children to participate, do not force them.
• Focus on the child’s efforts and performance rather than winning or losing.
• Encourage children always 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 performances and skillful 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.

B4: 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 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 overemphasise 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, and not 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.

 B5: Spectators

• Remember that young people participate in sport for their enjoyment and benefit, not yours.
• Applaud good performance and efforts from all individuals and teams. Congratulate all participants on their performance regardless of the game’s outcome.
• Respect the decisions of officials and teach young people to do the same.
• Never ridicule or scold a young player for making a mistake. Positive comments are motivational.
• Condemn the use of violence in any form, whether it is by spectators, coaches, officials or players.
• Show respect for your team’s opponents. Without them there would be no game.
• Encourage players to follow the rules and the officials’ decisions.
• Do not use foul language, sledge or harass players, coaches or officials.
• Respect the rights, dignity and worth of every young person regardless of their gender, ability, cultural background or religion.