Club Code of Conduct

Last Updated:
February 2026

Club Code of Conduct

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TEAM PERSONNEL

The team personnel-athlete relationship is a privileged one and plays a critical role in the personal, sport, and athletic development of the athlete. Team personnel must recognize the power inherent in the position of team personnel and respect and promote the rights of all participants in sport. This is accomplished by establishing and following procedures for confidentiality (right to privacy), informed participation, and fair and reasonable treatment. Team personnel have a special responsibility to respect and promote the rights of participants who are in a vulnerable or dependent position and less able to protect their own rights. This section applies equally to the relationship between match officials and their coaches, instructors, accessors, and mentors.

Team personnel must also:

  1. Ensure a safe environment by selecting activities and establishing controls that are suitable for the age, experience ,ability, and fitness level of the involved athletes.
  2. Prepare athletes systematically and progressively, using appropriate time frames and monitoring physical and psychological adjustments while refraining from using training methods or techniques that may harm athletes.
  3. Avoid compromising the present and future health of athletes by communicating and cooperating with sport medicine professionals in the diagnosis, treatment, and management of athletes’ medical and psychological treatments.
  4. Provide athletes (and the parents/guardians of a minor) with the information necessary to be involved in decisions that affect the athlete.
  5. Act in the best interest of the athlete’s development as a whole person.
  6. Respect other team personnel.
  7. Report any ongoing criminal investigations, previous convictions or existing bail conditions.
  8. Under no circumstances provide, promote, or condone the use of drugs (other than properly prescribed medications) or performance-enhancing substances and, in the case of minors, alcohol and/or tobacco.
  9. Respect athletes playing with other teams.
  10. Not engage in a sexual relationship with an athlete under 18 years old, or an intimate or sexual relationship with an athlete over the age of 18 if in a position of power, trust, or authority over the athlete.
  11. Dress professionally, neatly, and inoffensively.
  12. Use inoffensive language, considering the audience being addressed.

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Athletes

Athletes must also:

  1. Report any medical problems in a timely fashion, when such problems may limit their ability to travel, practice, or compete.
  2. Participate and appear on time, well-nourished, and prepared to participate to their best abilities in all competitions, practices, training sessions, tryouts, tournaments, and events.
  3. Adhere to Canada Soccer’s requirements regarding clothing and equipment.
  4. Never ridicule a participant for a poor performance or practice and always act in a sportsmanlike manner and not engage in violent behaviour, foul language, or offensive gestures.

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Match Officials

Match Officials must also:

  1. Conduct themselves with dignity both on and off the field of play, and by example seek to inspire the principles of fair play in others.
  2. Adhere to all standards and directives established by Canada Soccer, International Football Association Board and FIFA.
  3. Be neat in appearance and maintain a high level of physical and mental fitness;
  4. Study and enforce the current Laws of the Game and any event-specific rules and regulations.
  5. Perform his/her designated duties, including attending organized clinics and lectures, etc. and shall assist their colleagues in upgrading and improving their standards of officiating, instructing and assessing.
  6. Adhere to the Canada Soccer’s Anti-Doping Policy; Honour any appointments accepted, unless unable to do so by virtue of illness or personal emergency.
  7. Not publicly criticize other referees.
  8. Not make any statement to the media (newspaper, television, radio, etc.) related to a game in which the referee has officiated, or to the performance of the players or other officials.
  9. Not accept any appointment to officiate in unsanctioned events.
  10. Be fair, equitable, considerate, independent, honest, and impartial in all dealings with others.
  11. When writing reports, set out the true facts and not attempt to justify any decisions.

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Spectators and Parents

Spectators and Parents are expected to:

  1. Encourage athletes to play by the rules and to resolve conflicts without resorting to hostility or violence.
  2. Never ridicule a participant for making a mistake during a performance or practice.
  3. Provide positive comments that motivate and encourage participants’ continued effort; Respect the decisions and judgments of officials and encourage athletes to do the same.
  4. Respect and show appreciation to all competitors, and to the coaches, officials, and other volunteers who give their time to the sport; and refrain from entering the training or competition area and from interfering with any activities.
  5. Refrain from smoking/vaping at all competitions, practices, training sessions, tryouts, tournaments, and events.

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This policy has been adapted from Canada Soccer’s Code of Conduct and will be updated as required.

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