Code of Conduct Policy
Last updated: April 15, 2022
Georgia Storm supports youth soccer activity that is governed by a sense of fair play and sportsmanship. Our players, coaches, parents, opponents, and officials are to be treated with respect at all times. Discrimination based on race, color, religion, or gender will not be tolerated. Misconduct and violent/dangerous actions by players, parents, and coaches WILL NOT be tolerated.
Each person associated with Georgia Storm is responsible for his or her behavior. Parents should be aware that children tend to mimic adult behavior. Coaches or their designated representatives are responsible for their players, parents, and spectators. Positive support for the team and staff is expected. Parents and spectators should refrain from providing coaching instruction to the players during matches. This becomes confusing to players, and it is better for player development that instruction comes solely from the Georgia Storm coaching staff. Georgia Storm prides itself on the excellent conduct and sportsmanship of our players, parents, coaches, and spectators.
It is a privilege to travel as a representative of Georgia Storm. Our players, parents, coaches, and spectators are expected to act appropriately at all times. We have a reputation to uphold and therefore remember that negative details of a team's conduct travel much further than positive details.
In the interest of preserving and enhancing health, our club has totally and unequivocally banned the possession, sale, or use of all alcoholic beverages, illegal drugs, or tobacco products by a player while participating in any Georgia Storm youth activity. Any player found to be in violation will face severe consequences, which may include suspension or expulsion from Georgia Storm Soccer Academy. In addition, parents are expected to follow appropriate behavior in these areas that are not detrimental to Georgia Storm Soccer Academy.
Georgia Storm actively supports game officials. They are often faced with difficult decisions that may be unpopular. Verbal abuse toward officials by players, coaches, parents, or spectators, WILL NOT be tolerated and could result in the said individual being asked to leave a playing area (a coach may also be sent off for poor behavior). Referees also have the authority to suspend play if a coach does not control his/her players, parents, or spectators. Therefore, you can see that positive behavior is vital to the team, and individual, standing as a member of Georgia Storm.
SANCTIONS
The Georgia Storm Code of Conduct is an extension of the Georgia State Soccer Association(GSSA) guidelines. We at Georgia Storm are proud to be a leader in setting tougher standards in key situations, such as fighting and verbal abuse (foul and abusive language). Players receiving a red card will be ejected from the game immediately and will not be allowed to participate in his/her team's next match. Repeat offenders could face further sanctions as determined by the Director of Coaching or GSSA.
Ejections for fighting or foul and abusive language:
- If the red card or second yellow card is definitely warranted, the Georgia Storm player will sit out the remainder of the game, the next scheduled game, and possibly, additionally scheduled games. Based on previous card history or the action taken by the player, the Director of Coaching may decide to extend the number of games that the player sits out.
Coaches/Parents/Spectators that are told to leave the playing area must leave the playing area immediately, i.e., must be out of sight of the officials. If the Director of Coaching and/or Georgia Storm Executive Director deems it appropriate, he or she will be banned from attending games for at least one week.
Remember, the players, coaches, and referees will make mistakes, but the games are merely games, that our children are playing for enjoyment and to learn the game of soccer. We can still be competitive without crossing the line of decent behavior. We must not lose sight of the fact that our children will follow our example and we should act accordingly.
The code of conduct was developed with the input from the Georgia Soccer Youth Soccer code of conduct, the United States Youth Soccer Association, and Georgia Storm Directors of Coaching.
