Coach Code of Conduct
The athlete/coach relationship is a privileged one. Coaches play a critical role in the personal as well as athletic development of their athletes. Coaches understand and respect the inherent power imbalance that exists in this relationship and must be extremely careful not to abuse it. Accordingly, for the privilege of being a coach in the Mississauga Majors Baseball Association, I hereby agree to:
1. Treat everyone fairly within the context of their position of play, regardless of gender, place or origin, color, sexual orientation, religion, political belief or economic status.
2. Direct comments or criticism at the performance rather than the athlete.
3. Consistently display high personal standards and project a favorable image of baseball and of coaching, including:
- Refraining from public criticism of fellow coaches; especially when speaking to the media, athletes, or parents;
-Abstaining from the use of tobacco products (during games and practices) while in the presence of athletes and discourage their use by athletes;
- Abstaining from drinking alcoholic beverages before and when working with athletes;
- Refraining from encouraging the use of alcohol in conjunction with athletic events or victory celebrations;
- Refraining from the use of profane, insulting, harassing or otherwise offensive language.
4. Ensure that the activity being undertaken is suitable for the age, experience, ability and fitness level of the athletes and educate athletes as to their responsibilities in contributing to a safe environment.
5. Communicate and cooperate with registered medical practitioners in the diagnoses, treatment and management of the athletes medical and psychological problems. Consider the athletes future health and well being as foremost when making decisions regarding an injured athlete’s ability to continue playing or training.
6. Allow athletes goals to take precedence over my own.
7. Regularly seek ways of increasing development of my baseball skills and self-awareness.
8. Treat competitors and officials with due respect, both in victory and defeat and encourage athletes to act accordingly. Actively encourage athletes to uphold the rules of baseball and the spirit of such rules.
9. Communicate and cooperate with the athletes parents or legal guardians, involving them in management decisions pertaining to their child’s development.
10. Be aware of the academic pressures placed on student athletes and conduct practices and games in a manner so as to allow academic success.
11. Make every attempt to ensure the safety of the athletes.
12. At no time become intimately and/or sexually involved with the athletes. This includes requests for sexual favors or threat or reprisal for the rejection of such requests.
13. Respect athletes dignity, verbal or physical behaviors that constitute harassment or abuse are unacceptable.
14. Never advocate or condone the use of drugs or other banned performance enhancing substances.
15. Never provide under age athletes with alcohol.
I have read and understand the above statements and agree to conduct myself in a manner that demonstrates the standards established in this Code of Conduct for Coaches.
