Youth sports are a great opportunity for a child to build self-esteem and learn fundamentals skills. It’s also an opportunity for adults to become positive role models and to teach the value and importance of good sportsmanship.
Our priority is development not winning. Our club philosophy is long term player development, and again, winning is not the ultimate goal. Atlético Santa Rosa wants you to enjoy the great game of soccer, and we are providing this information in an effort to assist you and your child in gaining a greater understanding of player development and the game of soccer.
The increase in aggressive and violent behavior towards referees during NorCal Premier Soccer League events, has forced Atlético Santa Rosa to adopt a ZERO TOLERANCE POLICY. This policy applies to all coaches, players, parents and other supporters and referees effective immediately. Drinking alcohol, smoking, or use of illegal substances is prohibited during Atlético practices, games, or events. Abusive and obscene language, violent play, violent conduct, fighting, and other behavior (including but not limited to sarcasm, taunting, etc.) will not be
tolerated during any club event. Ultimate responsibility for the actions of coaches, players, and spectators resides with the member clubs.
It is the responsibility of the coaches to provide referee support and spectator control. This policy will apply at all times prior to, during and after the game, at the soccer field, and its immediate surrounding areas. It is the responsibility of the clubs to provide instructions to their coaches on how they are expected to carry out this responsibility.
Atlético Santa Rosa Soccer Club will be assessing each incident on an individual basis.
No parent or other spectator shall persistently address the referee or assistant referees at any time.
This includes but is not limited to:
Below are some simple rules you should observe. PLEASE CONSIDER THEM CAREFULLY!
REMEMBER—your child will forget about today’s game. Next week he/she will probably have forgotten the score. However, both of you will remember the good time the child had playing the most popular sport in the world.
The only allowable exceptions to the above are:
Communications between players and referees are governed by the FIFA Laws of the Game. Penalties for violating the Laws of the Game will be governed by the Laws themselves and the rules of Atlético Santa Rosa.
It is the responsibility of all coaches to maintain the highest standards of conduct for themselves, their players and supporters in all matches. Failure to do so undermines the referee’s authority and the integrity of the game, resulting in a hostile environment for players, the referee, coaches, bench personnel and spectators. As role models for all of the participants and spectators, coaches participating in an Atlético Santa Rosa Soccer Club event are expected to be supportive of, and to applaud the effort, good play, and sportsmanship on the part of ALL players from either team in a contest. By example, coaches and bench personnel are expected to show that although they are competing in a game, participants at all times have respect for the opponent, referees and spectators.
Atlético Santa Rosa will not tolerate negative behavior exhibited either by demonstrative actions and gestures or by ill-intentioned remarks, including those addressed toward the referees, players or coaches of an opposing team. Coaches exhibiting hostile, negative, sarcastic, or otherwise ill-intentioned behavior toward referees, opposing players or coaches will be subject to sanction by the referee and subsequent sanctions may be imposed by the club.
Coaches shall not interact directly or indirectly with the coaches or players of the opposing team during the game in any manner that may be construed as negative, hostile or sarcastic either by way of demonstrative actions and gestures or by ill-intentioned remarks.
Coaches shall not offer dissent to any call made by the officials at any time.
Coaches shall not address the referee during the game except to:
Coaches are allowed to ask a referee after a game, in a polite and constructive way, to explain a Law or foul but not judgment calls made in a game.
If any game is interrupted because of behavioral issues, involved parties will have to comply with a NorCal PAD committee suspension and a club suspension.
Depending on the gravity of the incident various suspensions may include the following disciplinary actions by the club:
Play with integrity: One of the most essential lessons a child can learn from sports is to follow the rules. Make sure your team understands the rules and doesn’t break them, even if they have the opportunity to get away with it.
Respect the officials: It’s important to teach not only our young athletes but also our parents and coaches to respect the referees and officials. Our kids have a watchful eye and take notice when parents and coaches are disrespectful.
Be a good sport. This means doing what we can to lift our teammates up and help them reach their potential. Being a good teammate means also being a good person on and off the field regardless of the outcome.
Maintain self-control: Keep your cool, have a positive attitude, and don’t overreact during practice or games. Be encouraging of other players.
Let the coach’s coach: Avoid chiming in with your coaching advice for the team, or other parents. Let those in charge run the plays.