Vernon Youth Soccer Code of Conduct

This Code of Conduct is promulgated in accordance with the provisions of State of New Jersey P.L. 2002, Chapter 74.

Preamble

Interscholastic and youth sports programs play a vital role in promoting the physical, social, and emotional development of children. It is essential that parents, coaches, and officials encourage young athletes to embrace the values of good sportsmanship and that adults serve as role models by demonstrating fairness, respect, and self-control.

As such, I pledge to be responsible for my words and actions while attending, coaching, officiating, or participating in any youth sports event, and I agree to follow the code of conduct below:

Code of Conduct

• I will not engage in unsportsmanlike conduct with any coach, parent, player, participant, official, or other attendee.
  
  

• I will not encourage my child or others to engage in unsportsmanlike conduct.
  
  

• I will not engage in behavior that could endanger the health, safety, or well-being of any participant or attendee.
  
  

• I will not encourage my child or others to engage in behavior that endangers others.
  
  

• I will not use drugs or alcohol at any youth sports event, nor will I attend, coach, officiate, or participate while under the influence.
  
  

• I will not permit or encourage my child or others to use drugs or alcohol in connection with youth sports events.
  
  

• I will not engage in the use of profanity.
  
  

• I will not encourage my child or others to use profanity.
  
  

• I will treat all coaches, parents, players, officials, and attendees with respect, regardless of race, creed, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, or ability.
  
  

• I will encourage my child to treat all individuals with respect, regardless of differences.
  
  

• I will not engage in verbal or physical threats or abuse toward any participant or attendee.
  
  

• I will not encourage my child or others to engage in verbal or physical threats or abuse.
  
  

• I will not initiate fights or scuffles at any youth sports event.
  
  

• I will not encourage my child or others to initiate fights or scuffles.
  
  

• I will not encourage or permit property damage.
  
  

• I will not violate league or organization rules regarding minimum playing time for each player.

Disciplinary Actions

If I fail to conform to the above code of conduct, I may be subject to disciplinary action, including but not limited to the following (in any order or combination):

• Verbal warning issued by a league, organization, or school official.
  
  

• Written warning issued by a league, organization, or school official.
  
  

• Immediate suspension or ejection from a youth sports event by an authorized official.
  
  

• Suspension from multiple events by an authorized official.
  
  

• Season or multi-season suspension issued by the school board or youth sports organization.

Legal Notice (N.J.S.A. 5:17-4)

Any individual—student, coach, official, parent, or other—who violates this Code of Conduct may be banned from attending future school or community-sponsored youth sports events. Anyone banned may petition the school board or sports team for reinstatement. Before resuming attendance, the individual must provide proof of completion of anger management counseling through an approved public or private provider.