Our purpose is to promote good sportsmanship, teamwork, achievement or excellence, self-confidence and fun for players and their families through the game of soccer.  The conduct of coaches, family members, and spectators is critical to this process.  Considering the thousands of people involved with GUSA games, the instances of poor conduct each year are remarkably few.  These few instances, however, will not be tolerated.  Civility, decency and respect are concepts that all should understand.

 

Each person attending a GUSA game should be aware of the following standards: 

• Each GUSA coach is required to sign a KidSafe form.
• Neither coaches, parents, nor other team supporters may make critical, abusive or offensive comments to the players, coaches or supporters of an opposing team before, during, or after a game.
• Games are officiated by referees and their assistants, not coaches, parents, or spectators.  There is a process and a time for coaches to disagree with calls.  Voice your opinion to your coach, not the officials.
• Parents and other team supporters may not approach game officials at any time for the purpose of disputing calls, or making critical, abusive or offensive comments.
• Parents and other team supporters may not enter the field during a game or post-game activities without the permission of the referee. 
• Neither coaches, parents nor other team supporters may be present behind goals or on the first 18 yards of each sideline beginning at each corner.  These “clear zones” protect keepers and players taking corner kicks. 
• Each coach is responsible for the conduct of the team’s parents and other supporters.  The coach may require a parent or other supporter to leave the game site (the field and surrounding area). 
• The referee may require any person present at a GUSA game to leave the game site.
• GUSA will prosecute or support the prosecution of anyone who violates any law or ordinance (e.g. assault or possession of alcohol). Any coach, assistant coach, manager, parent, spectator, or player who is dismissed from a game by a referee or a GUSA Official must leave the complex immediately.
  • The individual may not return to the complex or field after the game.  The individual may not return to the complex until one hour after the scheduled completion of the next contest of that team.  Any individual who violates these rules will be suspended for an additional game.
  • Any coach, assistant coach, manager, parent, spectator, or player who is dismissed from a game by a referee or a GUSA Official for fighting must leave the complex immediately.  The individual may not return to the complex or field after the game.  The individual is immediately suspended from attending the next two games of that team.  Furthermore, the individual may not attend any other game involving GUSA teams until that two game suspension has ended.  Any individual who violates these rules will be suspended for an additional game.
  • These are minimum sanctions.  Additional GUSA actions are possible.  

• Any parent that has an issue or concern with the coach, other than child safety concerns shall provide comments to the coach either after the practice or game or by phone. 

Soccer is a game.  Youth soccer is for the enjoyment of young people and their families.  The overwhelming majority of our community understands what these simple facts mean.  The positive examples you provide for your children are valued. 

 

Practices/Meetings/Other GUSA Events 

 

Each person attending any practice or other session run by or under the guidance of GUSA should be aware of the following standards: 

 

1. All parents and other persons are expected to be civil, courteous, polite and not unruly or disruptive when attending any event organized by GUSA, whether a practice session, social event or other function.  Any person who fails to conduct themselves in an acceptable fashion may be asked to leave such an event or may be requested to refrain from attending such events in the future.  

2. No player, parent or other person shall confront or harass any coach appointed by GUSA, GUSA Official player or other parent. 

3. In the event that any parent or other person wishes to discuss any issue with respect to any team or any item falling within the control of a coach or a GUSA Official such issue must be raised in a civil and polite manner.  

Violations of these standards will result in the ejection of the violator from GUSA facilities temporarily or permanently.  Violations by a coach, parent, or other family member may also result in the suspension of the coach, the parent, the parent’s child or the team from membership in GUSA or the violator’s local association. 

 

Download a copy of the code of conduct here.

 

Reporting Code Violations

It is important that any code violations are reported within 30 days to the Board of Directors.  The Board treats all code violations very seriously and will address the issue as soon as possible.