As an affiliated member of the LASA, the Hills LAC is bound by the association Codes of Behaviour. These codes of behaviour may also be viewed on the LASA website.
Administrators
Involve children in the planning, leadership, evaluation and decision making related to the activity.
Ensure that equal opportunities for participation in sports are made available to all children, regardless of ability, size, shape, sex, disability or ethnic origin.
Ensure that equipment & facilities are safe and appropriate to the ability level of participating children.
Ensure rules, equipment, events & training schedules take into consideration the age ability & maturity level of participating children.
Ensure that adequate supervision is provided by qualified and competent coaches and officials capable of developing appropriate positive behaviour & skill technique.
Remember that children participate for enjoyment (play down the importance of rewards).
Avoid allowing programs to become primarily spectator entertainment. Focus on the needs of participants rather than the enjoyment of the spectator.
Provide clinics aimed at improving the standards of coaching and officiating, with an emphasis of appropriate behaviour & skill technique.
Ensure that parents, coaches, sponsors, administrators officials & participants understand their responsibilities regarding fair play.
Distribute the Code of Behaviour sheet to spectators, officials, parents, coaches and athletes.
Officials
Compliment all participants on their effort.
Be consistent, objective & courteous in calling all infringements.
Condemn unsporting behaviour & promote respect for all opponents.
Ensure that the “Spirit of the Game” for children is not lost using common sense & not over emphasizing errors.
Ensure that equipment & facilities meet safety standards & are appropriate to the age & ability of the participants.
Publicly encourage rule changes which reinforce the principles of participation for fun & enjoyment.
Ensure that your behaviour is consistent with the principles of good sporting behaviour. Actions speak louder than words.
Make a personal commitment to keep yourself informed of sound officiating principles & the principles of growth and development of children.
Coaches
Be reasonable in your demands on young athletes time, energy & enthusiasm.
Teach athletes the rules of the sport are mutual agreements which no one should evade or break.
Whenever possible group athletes to give a reasonable chance of success.
Avoid over coaching the better performing athletes, the "just average" athletes need & deserve equal time.
Remember that children participate for fun & enjoyment and that winning is only part of their motivation. Never ridicule or yell at the children for making mistakes or losing an event.
Ensure that equipment & facilities meet safety standards & are appropriate to the age & ability of the athletes.
Take into consideration the maturity level of the children when scheduling & determining the length of training times & competition.
Develop respect for the ability of opponents as well as for the judgment of officials & coaches.
Follow the advice of a physician when determining when an injured athlete is ready to recommence training or competition.
Make a personal commitment to keep yourself informed of sound coaching principles & the principles of growth & development of children.
Demonstrate appropriate social behaviour, by not harassing athletes, other coaches or officials, smoking on the arena or being intoxicated.
Parents
Encourage children to participate if they are interested. However, if a child is not willing to do not force him or her.
Focus upon the child’s efforts rather than the overall outcome of the event. This assists the child in setting realistic goals related to his/her ability by reducing the emphasis on winning.
Teach children that an honest effort is as important as victory, so that the result of each event is accepted without undue disappointment.
Encourage children to always participate according to the rules.
Never ridicule or yell at a child for making a mistake or losing an event.
Remember children are involved in Little Athletics for their enjoyment, not yours.
If you disagree with an official, raise the issue through the appropriate channels rather than questioning the official’s judgment & honesty in public. Remember, most officials give their time & effort for your child's involvement.
Support all efforts to remove verbal & physical abuse at Little Athletics activities.
Recognise the value & importance of being a volunteer official and/ or coach. They give their time and resources to provide recreational activities for children and deserve your support.
Demonstrate appropriate social behaviour, by not harassing athletes, coaches or officials, smoking on the arena or being intoxicated.
Athletes
Play by the rules.
Never argue with an official. If you disagree ask your Team Manager, Chaperone or supervising adult to deal with the matter.
Control your temper. Verbal abuse of officials or other athletes, deliberately distracting or provoking an opponent is not acceptable or permitted in our sport.
Work equally hard for yourself and/or your Centre/Club. Your Centre/Club’s performance will benefit.
Be a good sport. Applaud all good results whether they be by your Centre/Club, opponent or the other Centre/Cub.
Treat all athletes as you would like to be treated. Do not interfere with, bully or take unfair advantage of another athlete.
Co-operate with your coach, club mates & other participants. Without them there would be no competition.
Participate in Athletics for the "fun of it” & not just to please parents & coaches.