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                                                                                Athlete Code of Conduct

 

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                                                              The five Moral Values

                                                                    Respectfulness

                                                                     Responsibility

                                                                            Caring

                                                                           Honesty

                                                                   Good citizenship

 

 

 

 

  These moral values encourage character development through sport. Character can be described as the type of person you are, what you stand for, and your tendency to do the right thing. Character is revealed by how you behave when no one is watching or when you do not expect to be rewarded; it includes the types of judgments you make, how you interact with others, and how you put into action your personal philosophy. We generally associate good character with behavior that is kind, trustworthy, honest, faithful, and responsible. Sportsmanship is said to represent good character for those involved in sport. Most sport policies and codes of conduct (or behavior), whether for athletes, coaches, support staff, parents, or others involved in sport, incorporate these aspects of character. These five moral values are considered universal principles that allow us all to live and work productively in a civilized society. Let’s take a closer look at each of them.

 

 

 

 

Respectfulness

Respect is enshrined in THE GOLDEN RULE: treating others as you wish to be treated by them. Respect applies to oneself as well as to others. Respectful athletes accept decisions, opinions, and suggestions by officials, coaches, and other individuals without arguing, avoid violence in and out of sport, act considerately toward all people, and seek to resolve differences without anger and insults. Examples of respectful behavior in sport include using considerate language and nonverbal body language even when you are angry or disappointed, walking away from confrontation during a game, practice, or any team events, speaking respectfully (e.g., without sarcasm or profanity) even when you are provoked, accepting victory and defeat without disparaging your opponents, and accepting officials’ decisions without argument.

 

Responsibility

Responsibility involves perseverance and doing the right thing. Responsible athletes are reliable, self-disciplined, and considerate; they do not act impulsively without first considering the consequences of their actions. Examples of responsible behavior in sport include always trying your hardest, even against a much better opponent or when the outcome doesn’t matter; showing up regularly for practice, even when you are preoccupied or don’t feel like training; letting the coach and team know if an emergency prevents you from attending practice; and accepting responsibility for actions that lead to unexpected consequences.

 

Caring

Being caring involves compassion, gratitude, and empathy (the ability to experience the feelings of others). It might sometimes seem incongruous that you are supposed to be caring while also trying your hardest to win. But you can be both highly competitive and caring at the same time. Athletes and coaches who are caring are gracious in both victory and defeat; they readily acknowledge the contributions of others to their success. Caring athletes play for their team rather than just for themselves. Caring also involves promoting the health and safety of everyone involved in sport, particularly athletes.

Examples of caring behavior in sport involve complimenting your opponent’s efforts, win or lose; thanking your teammates, coaches, and supporters after a game; encouraging an injured teammate; and helping an opponent up after a fall or tackle.

 

 

 

 

Honesty

Honesty involves being truthful and forthright (i.e., not hiding important information) and acting with integrity and loyalty. Athletes show their honesty by speaking and acting consistently and by always doing the right thing. The motives and actions athletes are rarely questioned because their actions are backed up by a personal sense of integrity.

Examples of honest behavior in sport include being a team player (loyalty), dealing honestly and openly with other athletes and coaches (honesty, loyalty), and playing fairly within the spirit and rules of the game (honesty).

 

Good Citizenship

Perhaps the hardest to define because it encompasses attitudes and behavior outside of sport, good citizenship involves contributing positively to your community, whether local, regional, or national. Athletes who are good citizens proudly represent their country in an international competition, volunteer their time and effort to worthwhile causes, follow the law, and act as positive role models.