NSSL Code of Conduct

NSSL Code of Conduct
The NSSL recognizes the game of soccer invokes passion in team officials, parents and team supporters. The League encourages positive behaviours by all team officials, spectators/fans where all players are encouraged to play by the rules and resolve conflicts without resorting to hostility or violence. Parents and supporters are to never ridicule a player for making a mistake and provide only positive comments that motivate and encourage the players’ efforts. Parents and supporters are to respect and show appreciation to all competitors, coaches, officials and volunteers who give their time and effort. Parents and supporters are to refrain from entering the field and interfering with activities.
Clubs are responsible for the actions of their team official’s, players and spectators. Team officials are responsible for the behaviours and conduct of their players, parents and supporters.
The NSSL has adopted the following position for persons who feel the need to harass, insult, threaten, or assault other persons at a soccer game where NSSL teams are involved.
Referees are instructed to immediately dismiss any team official or spectator who is abusing them or is acting in an unacceptable manner, whether it is directed to them or not. If the abuse or behavior continues in any way, shape, or form during the game, the referee is instructed to abandon the game and write a special incident report which will be sent to the League. The referee will also write up an incident report for any unacceptable behaviour which takes place after the conclusion of a game. The NSSL will hand out discipline measures to those who caused the game to be abandoned. All reports submitted to the NSSL by a referee will be reviewed and acted upon.
For team officials or parents/supporters who are identified by the referee or through investigation (a hearing may or may not be called) to have breached the League’s Code of Conduct, the following sanctions will apply:
 
a. If the person identified is a team official, that team official may be suspended from ANY AND ALL NSSL activity for the remainder of the season or longer if needed, and may have to put up a behavioural bond before they can start coaching again.
b. If the person identified is a parent/team supporter or spectator may be suspended from ANY AND ALL NSSL activity for the remainder of the season or longer if deemed appropriate.
c. If a team has a second incident from any of its team officials, team parent/team supporter in a season, the team may be removed from the schedule for the remainder of the season AND disqualified from all post season competitions.
 
Other sanctions, not listed above, may be applied if the NSSL deems it is necessary and warranted.
 
A reminder, Clubs are responsible for the actions of their team official’s, players and spectators. Team officials are responsible for the behavior and conduct of their players, parents and supporters.