CODES OF CONDUCT

 

Guidelines for Umpires

It is the expectation of the Association that umpires contribute to the notion of fairness and good sportspersonship at all times. To best promote this, the following recommendations are made:

  1. Ensure scorers sit together with the score sheet.
  2. Indicate clearly to the scorers which school has scored.
  3. Check the score sheet with the scorers at each break.
  4. Be aware of any rules specific to the IGSSA competitions.  (It is the responsibility of the PE Staff to inform the umpires of these).  Association rule changes do not affect IGSSA fixtures until the beginning of the new season following notification at a Heads of PE Staff meeting.
  5. Be consistent, objective and courteous - the players are learning by example.
  6. Condemn all and every instance of foul or unfair play and report incidents to the staff member in attendance from the offending school.  Players are allowed one caution for foul language and then they lose the right to finish the game.  Misdemeanours in this respect should be reported to the appropriate Head of Department.
  7. Be punctual and reliable in attendance at games.  If games are late starting the remaining time is divided equally.
  8. If advice and assistance can be given to all/both teams it would be appreciated by players trying to improve their knowledge of the sport.
  9. Common sense and player safety should prevail when considering re-scheduling of games.  The Staff in attendance will make the final decision on the re-scheduling of games.
  10. With all teams positive/encouraging coaching is permitted during the games.  Any coaching contrary to the good performance and spirit of the game should be terminated, and the Head of Department advised.
  11. Players are to maintain an acceptable level of behaviour at all times particularly when extremes in scoring occur.  Umpires should note unacceptable behaviour on the scoresheet plus they should report this to the Staff member in attendance as soon as possible.  The Staff member must report this to the Head of Department.
  12. Enforce the rule that all safety equipment is worn by players, such as mouthguards, shin pads, masks, etcetera, in the appropriate sports.
  13. Check uniforms, nails and jewellery at the commencement of the game.
  14. Ensure adequate warm-up (up to 10 minutes) is given to the visiting school along with adequate equipment with which to warm-up (to be provided by the host school).
  15. If an umpire is unable to fulfil her/his commitment to the school that umpire should notify the Physical Education Department with, if possible, the name of a replacement umpire.
  16. Any inappropriate behaviour by umpires should be reported to the Head of PE of that school as soon as possible.
  17. Supply your own whistle.

Guidelines for Coaches

A coach is employed for her/his expertise in a particular sport. That expertise, however, must be exercised within the spirit of IGSSA, which is largely expounded at the beginning of this document.  Additional recommendations are made below:

  1. Encourage good sporting spirit.
  2. Reward the EFFORT of the players rather than the OUTCOME of the game.
  3. Teach respect for rules and authority by word and example.
  4. Do not tolerate verbal or physical abuse.
  5. Girls are to adopt a healthy attitude towards winning and losing.  Coaches should promote a controlled, disciplined approach towards competition.
  6. Promote a realisation of the benefits of fitness.
  7. Coaching, of a positive nature, is permitted with all teams (except Senior and Junior tennis).
  8. Ensure adequate warm-up time (up to 10 minutes) is given to the visiting school along with adequate equipment with which to warm-up (see match requirements).
  9. Approach umpires for clarification of rules/decisions only at breaks not during the game.
  10. If the coach is a competent umpire then she should be permitted to umpire her own team, ONLY in the case of an official umpire not arriving or if the school is not able to employ an umpire of the required standard.  The umpire/coach is only permitted to coach during breaks.
  11. Coaches should NOT verbalise their opinions of umpiring decisions and should also NOT allow their athletes to do so.
  12. Any inappropriate behaviour by coaches should be reported to the Head of Department of that school as soon as possible.

Guidelines for Heads of Sport/Department

  1. When problems and difficulties arise it is the responsibility of the Head of Department PE to keep the Principal informed.  Any criticism of coaches, umpires or players or injury sustained must be brought to the attention of the Principal as soon as possible.
  2. It is the responsibility of the Head of Department to acquaint umpires, coaches and players with these guidelines.

Guidelines for Spectators

'Spectators' refers to friends and parents

  1. Spectators should encourage good sporting spirit.
  2. Spectators should reward the EFFORT of the players rather than the OUTCOME.
  3. Spectators should show respect for rules and authority by word and example.
  4. Spectators must not engage in verbal or physical abuse.
  5. Spectators should encourage the girls to adopt a healthy attitude towards winning and losing by demonstrating a controlled, disciplined approach towards competition.
  6. Spectators should promote the benefits of health and fitness.
  7. Spectators should NOT verbalise their opinions of umpiring decisions.
  8. Inappropriate behaviour by spectators will be referred to the appropriate Principal by the Head of Sport/Department.

Guidelines for Players

  1. All participants are to conform to the standard of dress (neat hair, no jewellery, no gum, etc) required by individual schools and the IGSSA.
  2. There should be no interaction with the umpire about decisions - an umpire's decision is final.
  3. Never ridicule or scorn another player, coach or official - always respect effort.
  4. Scorers should sit with the scorer of the other school and check the score throughout the match.
  5. Players should go to the coach at breaks and time-outs to discuss play rather than focussing on the score.
  6. Participation should be challenging and enjoyable.  The aim is to enhance skill development and team cooperation; if there is a win, it is a bonus.
  7. Players are to maintain an acceptable level of behaviour at all times particularly when extremes in scoring occur.  Umpires will note unacceptable behaviour on the scoresheet plus report it to the Staff member in attendance as soon as possible.  The Staff member must report this to the Head of Department.
  8. All and every instance of foul or unfair play will be condemned and reported to the staff member in attendance from the offending school.  Players are allowed one caution for foul language and then they lose the right to finish the game.  Misdemeanours in this respect will be reported to the appropriate Head of Department.