parental code of conduct
Paisley Family
To Whom This may Concern,
My children have played in the JBA for several years and this is the first year I have seen a “Parental Code of Conduct” form. Is this a new addition to the program? Do the coaches have a similar form they have to sign? I cannot help to think how much this form disturbs me. It basically says parents have no say in their children’s’ season. Last year more than once, I dealt with my sons’ coaches that told me I was not allowed in the dug out to assist with injured players and the players themselves were not permitted to leave the dug out. Needless to say, I got my way and this year will be no different. If I see a situation that requires assistance, I will take care of it.
In this code of conduct, I read nothing encompassing reciprocal respect from any party. You cannot expect a child to give respect or learn to respect if it is not first given to them, and you can be sure that the parents will not tolerate giving respect to the coach only to be disrespected in return. Last year my sons’ coach could have easily been diagnosed a borderline personality disorder, by the end of the season many of the children did not want to play because of the hostile nature of the coach and his assistant. I understand a need to put limits on the undesirable behavior of some and the inability of a group to impose rules on only one, however the rules stated in the code give the parents the right to transport their child to the field, sit down and and take them home afterward. It really needs to be rewritten to include the words and definitions of outbursts, inappropriate behavior and the like.
Thank You for your Time,
Caren Nadzam-Paisley
Kingsb...@bfusa.com
Thank you for your note concerning the JBA Parental Code of Conduct.
The Parental Code of Conduct is aimed at promoting good sportsmanship
and creating a positive playing environment for children. The JBA
enacted the Code of Conduct to reduce the rising number of incidents
that it has seen over the last couple of years between parents and
players, coaches and other parents.
It is unfortunate that you did not have a pleasurable experience last
year; however, the Board received no formal complaints from anyone on
the team concerning the conduct of the manager that would otherwise
have prompted the Board to investigate and, if warranted, take action.
The Board understands that there may be situations where parents may
need to protect the health (physical and/or mental) and safety of
their children, but absent that we can’t think of many other instances
where confronting a player, coach or parent will accomplish anything
but to create a hostile environment. That is not something the JBA
wants to have take place at a youth sporting event or in front of
children. The JBA does have a Manager/Coaches Committee whose
function is to conduct investigations of any disputes and provide
recommendations for disciplinary actions. The managers and coaches
must sign this form if they have a child playing in the JBA. The JBA
has a Manager/Coaches Committee that oversees our coaches. With this
being said our managers and coaches are governed by two different
levels, the Committee and the Parent Code of Conduct.
We would urge you or any other parent to bring any concerns you might
have about the manager of your team to the Managers/Coaches Committee
so that they may investigate the issue and recommend appropriate
action to the JBA Board of Trustees.
Sincerely,
Tom Kingsbury
JBA President