Code of Conduct

CODES OF CONDUCT

ATHLETES

• Be a good sport. Respect all good performances whether from your Centre or the opponents and
shake hands with and thank the opposing athletes and officials after the event – win, lose or draw.
• Participate for your own enjoyment and benefit.
• Always respect the official’s decision.
• Never become involved in acts of foul play.
• Honour both the spirit and intention of the competition rules and live up the highest ideals of
ethics and sportsmanship. Avoid gamesmanship and respect the traditions of the sport.
• Never engage in disrespectful conduct of any sort including profanity, sledging, obscene gestures,
offensive remarks, trash-talking, taunting or other actions that are demeaning to other athletes,
officials or supporters.
• Care for and respect the facilities and equipment made available to you during training and
competition.
• Safeguard your health. Don’t use any illegal or unhealthy substances.
• Recognise that officials and coaches are volunteers who give up their time to provide their
services. Treat them with the utmost respect.
• Do not bet or otherwise financially speculate, directly or indirectly, on the outcome or any other
aspect of a Little Athletics event or competition in which you are involved.

COACHES

• Actively discourage foul play and/or unsportsmanlike behaviour by athletes.
• Seek to maximise the participation and enjoyment of all athletes regardless of ability; avoid the
tendency to over-use a talented athlete; treat all athletes as equals, regardless of their talent.
• Show concern and caution towards all sick and injured athletes. Follow the advice of a physician
and/or sports trainer to the letter when determining when an injured athlete is ready to
recommence training or competition.
• Teach athletes that an honest effort and competing to the best of their ability is as important as
victory.
• Maintain a thorough knowledge of the rules of competition and keep abreast of current coaching
methods. Maintain or improve your current accreditation level.
• Always consider the health, safety and welfare of the athletes.
• Teach young athletes to realise that there is a big gap between their ability and the professional
athlete. Do not coach them as if they are professionals.
• Ensure that your coaching reflects the level of the competition being involved with and don’t be a
‘winner at all costs’ coach.
• As coach, conduct yourself at all times, and in all situations, in a manner that shows leadership,
respect for the sport of Little Athletics and respect for all those that are involved in the sport –
athletes, officials, spectators, parents and the media.
OFFICIAL

• Be impartial! Also, be consistent, objective and courteous.
• Place the safety and welfare of the athletes above all else. Be alert to minimise dangerous
physical play, fair or foul, especially competition days.
• Accept responsibility for all actions taken.
• Avoid any form of verbal contact with coaches, team officials, parents and spectators during
competition.
• Avoid any situation which may lead to a conflict of interest, both on and off the field.
• Condemn all and every instance of unsportsmanlike, foul or unfair play.
• Set a good example by the way you dress, speak and act towards athletes, coaches, officials,
parents and spectators.
• Show concern and caution towards sick and injured athletes.
• Officiate to the age and/or experience of the athletes.

PARENT / SPECTATOR

• Condemn all violent or illegal acts, whether they are by athletes, coaches, officials, parents or
spectators.
• Respect the official’s decisions. Don’t complain or argue about actions or decisions during or after
an event.
• Unsportsmanlike language, harassment or aggressive behaviour will not be tolerated.
• Encourage athletes to play by the rules and to respect opposing athletes and officials.
• Never ridicule or scorn an athlete for making a mistake, respect their efforts.
• Understand that sport is part of a total life experience, and the benefits of involvement go far
beyond the final placing of an event.
• Participate in positive cheering that encourages the athletes in the Centre you are supporting.
Don’t engage in any cheering that taunts or intimidates opponents, their fans or officials.
• Remember that children participate in Little Athletics for their own enjoyment, not yours!
• At all times follow the directions of the Arena Manager and/or other competition day officials.
• Never arrive at a Little Athletics competition under the influence of alcohol. Never bring alcohol
to a Little Athletics competition or training.