Basketball is intended to be a recreational activity for enjoyment and health. This code of conduct has been developed by Basketball Victoria to give participants some guide to the expectations it has on those participants. It is intended to assist everyone to obtain the maximum benefit and enjoyment from their involvement in basketball. As a result, the quality of participation will be improved so people are more likely to start and continue their involvement in basketball. Enjoy!!
Coaches
1. Remember that basketball is for enjoyment.
2. Be reasonable in your demands
3. Teach understanding and respect for the rules.
4. Give all players a reasonable amount of court time.
5. Develop team respect for the ability of opponents including their coaches.
6. Instil in your players respect for officials and an acceptance of their judgement.
7. Guide your players in their interaction with the media, parents and spectators.
8. Group players according to age, height, skills and physical maturity, whenever possible.
9. Ensure that equipment and facilities meet safety standards and are appropriate to the age and ability of the players.
10. Be prepared to lose sometimes.
11. Act responsibly when players are ill or injured.
12. As well as imparting knowledge and skills, promote desirable personal and social behaviours.
13. Keep your knowledge current.
14. Ensure that any physical contact with a player is appropriate.
15. Avoid personal relationships with players.
16. Respect the rights, dignity and worth of every person.
17. Always respect the use of facilities and equipment provided.
Players
1. Understand and play by the rules.
2. Respect referees and other officials.
3. Control your temper.
4. Work equally hard for yourself and for your team.
5. Be a good sport.
6. Treat all players as you would like to be treated.
7. Play for the “enjoyment of it” and not just to please parents and coaches.
8. Respect the rights, dignity and worth of every person.
9. Be prepared to lose sometimes.
10. Listen to the advice of your coach and try to apply it at practice and in games.
11. Always respect the use of facilities and equipment provided.
Parents
1. Encourage your children to participate for their own interest and enjoyment, not yours.
2. Encourage children to always play by the rules.
3. Teach children that an honest effort is always as important as a victory.
4. Focus on developing skills and playing the game. Reduce the emphasis on winning.
5. A child learns best by example. Applaud good play by all teams.
6. Do not criticise your or others’ children in front of others.
7. Accept decisions of all referees as being fair and called to the best of their ability.
8. Set a good example by your own conduct, behaviour and appearance.
9. Support all efforts to remove verbal and physical abuse from sporting activities.
10. Respect the rights, dignity and worth of every person.
11. Show appreciation for volunteer coaches, officials and administrators.
12. Keep children in your care under control.
Spectators
1. Remember that most people play sport for enjoyment.
2. Accept decisions of all referees as being fair and called to the best of their ability.
3. Always be positive in your support for players.
4. Condemn the use of violence in any form.
5. Respect your team’s opponents, officials and spectators.
6. Encourage players to obey the rules and to accept decisions of officials.
7. Demonstrate appropriate social behaviour by not using foul language or harassing players, coaches or officials.
8. Respect the rights, dignity and worth of every person.
9. Keep children in your care under control.
10. Always respect the use of facilities and equipment provided.
Officials
1. Interpret rules and regulations fairly and to match the skill level and the needs of the participants.
2. Compliment both teams on their efforts.
3. Be consistent, objective and courteous in calling all infractions.
4. Promote fair play and appropriate sporting behaviour.
5. Publicly encourage rule changes.
6. Ensure that both on and off the court your behaviour is consistent with the principles of good sportsmanship.
7. Keep your knowledge current.
8. Help the education process in the game.
9. Always present yourself in a way which encourages others to respect you and your role.
10. Always respect the use of facilities and equipment provided.