RECOMMENDATION FOR SPORTSMANSHIP WITHIN SAC/HC 2007
Fair Play - The past soccer year was one of the worst our club has experienced in years. Unfortunately, the level of “Sportmanship” has continued to decline. The number of “Misconducts” resulting in Cautions (Yellow Cards) and Send-Offs (Red Cards) was at an all time high for SAC/HC. The example shown by some of the recreational coaches in front of the players who saw it first hand was embarresing at best. Frankly, one Misconduct by a recreational coach is too many!! Coaches need to lead by example. They MUST be the BEST Role Model for our young players.
To complain without offering a solution does not solve an ever increasing problem. Therefore, after careful consideration and research on how other Clubs and Leagues have tackled the problem of unsporting behavior, I’m proposing the following be implemented.
Effect with the Fall 2007 Recreational Season, an Official Code of Conduct be adopted and required of our players, coaches and spectators. A point system will be implemented for any unsporting behavior at ALL age groups. For the Fall 2007, all “A” Teams & U19 Teams will be required to appoint at least two (2) TSLs (Team Sportmanship Liasons). These TSLs must attend a single training/educational session prior to the Fall 2007 Season given by SAC/HC’s Referee Coordinator. This training session will serve to educate and train these team reps in the “Basics” of the Laws of the Game along with SAC/HC’s Philosophy on Sportsmanship & Fair Play.
Additionally, referees will be asked to complete an online Referee Game Report (evaluation report) for every match which involves unsporting behavior. Referees will have two grading levels for Unsporting Behavior. “Poor”, which will be the same rating as a Caution (yellow card) for Dissent or Unsporting Behavior. “Unacceptable”, which will be the same as a Send-Off (red card) for Second Caution on Dissent or Unsporting Behavior, Violent Conduct, Foul/Abusive or Insulting Language or Gestures, Abuse, Threats and Spits At. The Referees Game Report will be sent to the President, AGC, Referee Coordinator & Director of Coaching (COO if we’d like) each time a report is completed. Just like with a red card, these reports will be promptly addressed no later than the Thursday Night following the Match Incident by the R & D Committee appointed by the President.
If successful, starting in the Spring 2008 the proposed TSLs will be expanded to the other recreational age groups. An evaluation of the effectiveness of these ideas will be conducted after the Fall 2007 Season. With a successful positive evaluation, additional training sessions will be offered for TSLs at every other age group. In adddition, existing TSLs or other assigned team reps will be further trained as USSF STARs so they can better serve their teams and our recreational program. Guest teams will also be required to participate in our “Sportsmanship Program”.
Copies of the forms can be found here on My Web Site at marylandsoccerreferees.com under “Links” then at the link – top of the page.
I want to thank all my fellow Board Members for your Support of the Game.
Craig Proffen, Referee Coordinator
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