CODE OF CONDUCT 2024

by | Jun 16, 2024 | Fixtures

Castleknock Celtic Football Club

Code of Conduct

INTRODUCTION

This code of conduct incorporates the respect for, and the elimination of abuse towards referees, officials, coaches and players and to help promote good practice within all sport.

This code of conduct outlines good practice procedures required of those participating in sport for Castleknock Celtic FC, regardless of what role they may play in doing so. It also aims to create an atmosphere of fairness, integrity, and respect among participants, coaches, players, officials, members and supporters in sports, and to help to eliminate abuse towards referees, officials, coaches and players.

This policy covers the behaviour of all involved before, during, and after a game or training is conducted, no matter the location or environment. Players, Coaches, Supporters, Members, Parents/Guardians, Referees/Officials, Clubs and other personnel should recognise the pivotal role that each and many others, play in the development of our sport, and should always support one another when fulfilling their roles.

This code of conduct addresses the minimum levels of behaviour, conduct and good practice

procedures. Outlined within this code of conduct are the following relevant roles:

  • Players
  • Coaches
  • Supporters
  • Parents/Guardians
  • Referees/Officials
  • Clubs & Club Members

It also emphasises the role of parents/guardians and supporters in supporting the positive development of young participants and avoiding actions that can have a lasting emotional effect on them. Further below, this code of conduct also refers to the disciplinary procedures or sanctions that may be applied for breaches of this code as well as procedures for reporting breaches of the code of conduct or used to update their current versions.

Positive Conduct

All participants (Managers/Coaches/Assistants, Players, Supporters, Parents/Guardians, Referees/Officials, Clubs, Members and other personnel) should:

  • Adopt the code of conduct as the basic level of agreement between the club and the players, the managers/coaches/assistants, referee/officials, parents/guardians, members, Club Officials and supporters and others who may be involved in the sport.
  • Ensure that the sport is played and conducted in accordance with disciplined and sporting behaviour and acknowledge that it is not sufficient to rely solely upon the referees/officials to uphold the code of conduct.
  • Promote the responsibility and accountability for their conduct in accordance with the policies & procedures for association football in Ireland.
  • Respect fellow players, members, officials, volunteers and opponents regardless of gender, civil status, family status, sexual orientation, age, disability, race, religion, and membership of the Traveller community.
  • Respect the decisions of all referees/officials, Committees and Executive.
  • Maintain, demonstrate and promote the highest standards of respect.
  • Demonstrate a positive attitude to association football and activities.
  • Listen to coaches, referees, and officials.
  • Actively discourage players from abusing referees, officials, members, or opponents.
  • Promote the reputation of association football and take all steps to prevent it from being brought into disrepute.
  • Respect the rights, dignity and worth of every person.
  • Act as good role models.
  • Implement, support, and promote the code of conduct.
  • Maintain, demonstrate, and promote the highest standards of integrity.
  • Promote the highest standards of personal conduct.
  • Comply with the policies and procedures within Castleknock Celtic Football Club and associated agencies (e.g. FAI, Participant Leagues).
  • Promote and support fair play.
  • Encourage and applaud good performances and effort from participants and opponents alike, regardless of the result.
  • Thank opponents and officials at the end.
  • Show respect to your Club’s opponents. Without them there would be no game or competitions.
  • Only enter the football pitch with the referee’s/official’s permission.
  • Promote Fair Play and encourage all participants and fellow officials to always play by the rules of association football.
  • Ensure that all activities are inclusive and allow all players to participate in an enjoyable way.
  • Involve parents/guardians and other club members in a culture of promotion of best practice.
  • Ensure safe induction and supervision of volunteers/contractors.
  • Act with integrity and objectivity.
  • Encourage fair play and ensure safety is paramount.
  • Put welfare of participants first.
  • Be qualified and up to date with the latest rules, coaching knowledge, and skills.
  • Avail of assessments, participate in continuous professional development when required and other supports to maintain and improve performance.
  • If working with under 18’s or vulnerable adults, you must undertake agreed Garda Vetting checks within the jurisdictions in which they officiate and attend relevant child safeguarding training where specified and required.
  • Demonstrate appropriate good behaviour by not using foul language, and by not engaging in abusive language or deeds or by harassing participants, supporters, coaches, or referees/officials.
  • Show appreciation to volunteers, coaches, clubs, and officials.
  • Communicate decisions to players in an effective and constructive manner in consideration of the age groups taking part.
  • Deal with dissent firmly and fairly.
  • Remain positive when dealing with players and/or coaches, parents/guardians, and supporters.
  • Work as a team with other referee/officials when required.
  • Maintain composure regardless of the circumstances.
  • Report breaches of the code of conduct to the appropriate person or committee.
  • Cooperate with any investigation in respect of an alleged breach of the code of conduct.
  • Understand and implement the complaints and disciplinary procedures.
  • Manage disciplinary matters appropriately.
  • Report misconduct of participants or supporters’ conscious of the fact that such matters may be followed up in accordance with rules set by Castleknock Celtic Football Club.
  • Ensure complaints, including rumours, are not ignored and are dealt with appropriately, following the relevant procedures.
  • Report incidents/accidents to the relevant persons.
  • Report incidents/accidents to the parents or guardians (if a child under the age of 18 is involved).

Code of Conduct Breaches

All participants (Managers/Coaches/Assistants, Players, Supporters, Parents/Guardians, Referees/Officials, Clubs, Members and other personnel) must not:

  • Shout, argue, abuse physically or verbally referees/officials, at any time.
  • Shout, argue, abuse physically or verbally players, supporters, parents/guardians, members, officials or any other participant at any time.
  • Shout at or argue with their coach, participants, or opponents.
  • Use violence towards participants, coaches, officials, opponents, or supporters.
  • Use unfair or bullying tactics to gain advantage or isolate other participants.
  • Use unacceptable language or racial and/or sectarian or homophobic references towards a player, an opponent, coach, official or supporter by words, deeds, or gestures.
  • Use foul language or provocative language/gestures or behaviour towards any player, coach, referee/official, member or supporter.
  • Use any other forms of abuse.
  • Lose their temper.
  • Abuse, threaten or intimidate a referee/official/player/volunteer, member on or away from the football Environment (pitch, training location, clubhouse, grounds of Castleknock Celtic Football Club).
  • Do anything which is likely to intimidate, offend, insult, humiliate or discriminate against any other person on the grounds of their gender, civil status, family status, sexual orientation, age, disability, race, religion, and membership of the Traveller community.
  • Ridicule or scold a participant for making a mistake during a game or practice.
  • Use social media to abuse players, opponents, coaches, referees/officials, volunteers or other individuals.
  • Use social media or social media apps for the distribution of offensive content, to taunt, bully or racially abuse others.
  • Use social media to implicate or undermine players, opponents, coaches, referees/officials, volunteers or other individuals.
  • Publish or cause to be published criticism of the way any other club/organisation/committee handled or resolved any dispute or disciplinary matter resulting from a breach of the code of conduct or rules of the sport.
  • Behave or act in any way that infringes the rules of association football or that seeks to gain an unfair advantage.
  • Aggressively challenge a referee’s/official’s decision or integrity.
  • Enter the pitch before, during or after a game, unless authorised to do so.
  • Berate your own child or any other child for their standard of play.
  • Embarrass a child or use sarcastic remarks towards a player, official, volunteer or other individuals involved in a game with or against Castleknock Celtic Football Club.
  • Undertake any other unsporting like behaviour.

SELF-DECLARATIONS

It is a requirement of each member registering with Castleknock Celtic Football Club to acknowledge that they have read, understand, and accept this code of conduct and agree to be bound by the areas set out in the code of conduct while playing or attending Castleknock Celtic Football Club sporting activities in any capacity. This acknowledgement will be made when registering for club membership through Clubforce which is our member registration system.

Reporting & Sanctions

Participants, Coaches, Supporters, Parents/Guardians, Referees/Officials, Members & Clubs should report breaches of the code of conduct to the appropriate person or committee within Castleknock Celtic Football Club, as per the reporting/complaints procedure.

Any breaches of the above-mentioned points within the code of conduct will be investigated by the relevant committee and disciplinary proceedings in respect of a breach shall be conducted in accordance with the club’s grievance and disciplinary policy and procedures

Conduct giving rise to an alleged breach of the code of conduct shall be reviewed accordingly at the time the alleged breach occurred. The applicable disciplinary procedure shall be that in effect at the time the disciplinary action is commenced.

Incidents of alleged criminal behaviour or suspected criminal behaviour will be reported to the relevant authorities. 

GLOSSARY

Players

For the purpose of this code of conduct a player is a person who takes part in association football activity as a member of Castleknock Celtic Football Club, or informally as a non member.

Member

Is a person who is a signed up member of Castleknock Celtic Football Club (paid or pro bono)

Managers, Coaches, Assistants

A manager is a person who has overall responsibility for the development and participation of a team.

A coach is a person who assists participants to develop their skills and abilities in a progressive way.

Assistants are those people who provide back-up to any of the roles outlined in this section and often such assistants are involved on an intermittent basis (e.g. provision of lifts to matches or competitions; checking equipment, first aid etc.).

Supporters

A person(s) who is actively interested in and wishes success for a Castleknock Celtic Football Club.

Parents/Guardians

A person(s) who is the parent or guardian of a participant involved in football for Castleknock Celtic Football Club.

Referees/Officials

A referee/official is an individual charged with the responsibility of ensuring that the rules of association football are adhered to in a formal way.

Club Officials

Chairperson, secretary, treasurer, administrators and committee members who are appointed to oversee club activities and the development of Castleknock Celtic Football Club.