EYSC Parents/Spectators Conduct Statement

Parents and spectators shall abide by the Ephrata Youth Soccer Club’s mission statement, the laws of the game, EPYSA’s guidelines, and its sponsors, organizations and affiliates. 

Parents are expected to support their child, the respective team, the coach(s), and club. Parents are expected to share in the responsibility to monitor and enforce the actions of their guest.

Parents and spectators shall:

• Demonstrate good sportsmanship before, during, and after a practice or game.  Also demonstrate and support positive attitudes toward all players and opponents.  Be respectful to all players, opposing teams and coaches, and referees.

• Support their child’s coaching staff on and off the field.  Coaches have discretion for playing time and decide player positions per the club bylaws.

• Refrain from coaching from the sidelines during practices and/or games.  When children receive direction from both sides of the field, it can cause confusion for the player.

• Realize that the players you are watching during a game are not professional players.  They are children just trying to learn, have fun, and playing a game.

• Tobacco, alcohol, or illegal drugs shall not be present during any team activity.    

• Refrain from any comments towards a referee before, during, or after a game.

• Cooperate with the coaching staff in getting your child to practice and games at the specified time stated by the coach.  Also cooperate in picking your child up from practice and games in a timely manner.

• Do their best to make athletic participation fun for their child.

• Discuss concerns or issues of disagreement with their child’ss coach first.  It is suggested and expected that a discussion of disagreement be held away from other team members or parents.  After speaking with the coach and if you are still unsatisfied, contact the age group director.  If after speaking to the age group director and still unsatisfied, contact the club President.

• Inform coach(s) of any health concerns or injuries of your child.

• Realize that our club reputation and/or perception to other clubs or teams or players can be tarnished or strengthened by our parental behavior(s) before, during or after a game.    

• Let the coaches coach and the players play.  Parents are to cheer and enjoy the game.

Parents are encouraged to be involved in their child’s athletic experience.  We, as a soccer club, encourage your positive involvement.  The EYSC’s participants are considered the club’s greatest asset and our future leaders and citizens within our community.  We hope that your child’s athletic experience is fun, positive, and challenging.  You, as a parent, are most vital in helping us provide the best environment possible for your child.

Failure to abide by this code of conduct may result in disciplinary action up to and including losing the privilege to play for the Club.

EYSC Coaching Conduct Statement

Coaches will abide by the Ephrata Youth Soccer Club’s mission statement, the laws of the game, EPYSA’s guidelines, and its sponsors, organizations and affiliates.  The philosophy and purpose of youth coaching is to teach soccer skills, promote and display good sportsmanship, and to conduct practices and games in a manner safe for players. 

All Coaches shall:

• Encourage good sportsmanship before, during, and after a game.  Coaches are expected to be positive role models for our youth athletes.

• Educate parents that the game is for the players, not the adults.

• Demonstrate respect for players, parents, and referees.  Refrain from arguments or negative comments to referees, opposing teams, and coaches. 

• Learn the rules of the game, encourage fair play, and provide a safe atmosphere for all players. 

• Be a positive role model and be a positive influence for the players, parents, and the soccer club.

• Explain prior to the each season what is expected from parents on sportsmanship, dedication, and support of the youth players.

• Insure fair playing time for all players.  Coaches may take into consideration attendance at practices and player attitudes for playing time.  Coaches shall follow playing time guidelines for Intramural, Recreational, and Travel teams as outlined within the EYSC bylaws.

• Discipline players in a fair and consistent manner.

• Deal with player injuries in a timely manner. 

• Refrain from using inappropriate language to children.

• Tobacco, alcohol, or illegal drugs shall not be present during any team activity. 

• Provide guidance in teaching a proper progression of skills and tactics to their respective age group team that is fun and challenging.

A coach may be terminated if he/she does not abide by the statements above or within EYSC’s rules, guidelines, and principles.  Common sense will prevail for issues or concerns not listed.

The club encourages all coaches to continue their soccer coaching education in believing that educated coaches become better coaches which produce stronger players thus evolving into stronger teams and thus making EYSC a better club for all of its youth participants. 

The club believes that coaches are the backbone of the organization.  Remember .......You are a youth soccer coach.  The game is for the children.