Purpose

Appropriate social behavior is expected for all youth and adult sport programs.  Individuals are encouraged to act in a way that will not hurt another person physically, mentally, or emotionally.

Policy

Each coach, player, spectator and parent/guardian are responsible for their actions during practice, competition and all other times while on South Suburban Park and Recreation District (SSPRD) property.  The following code of conduct outlines specific standards of behavior and accountability to foster a positive and respectful environment for everyone.

Coach Code of Conduct

Standards of Behavior

As a coach the following actions are expected to maintain a positive and safe environment:

1. Treat all athletes, opposing coaches, parents, and officials with respect and dignity, regardless of Disability, Race, Creed, Color, Sex, sexual orientation, Gender Identity, Gender Expression, Marital Status, National Origin, or Ancestry.
2. Refrain from using abusive or profane language at anyone involved in program activities, including players, officials, coaches, parents, or spectators.
3. Will not use or be under the influence of drugs or alcohol at any league event, nor will I coach, officiate, or participate while impaired.
4. Will not encourage or participate in physical or verbal altercations, including initiating fights or arguments with any coach, parent, player, participant, official, or attendee.
5. Will not engage in unsportsmanlike conduct or verbal/physical threats or abuse directed at any participant, including coach, parent, player, official, or attendee.
6. Will not encourage or allow behavior that endangers the health, safety, or well-being of any participant, official, or attendee.
7. Will aim to prevent and take action if parents, guardians, or spectators representing my team verbally assault or intimidate participants at any time before, during, or after games.
8. Will maintain professional relationships at all times, ensuring interactions remain appropriate, respectful, and within the context of sport, focused on fostering a safe and supportive environment. This includes in- person, virtual, and social media interactions.
9. Will be prepared for all practices and games and will focus on teaching fundamental skills to ensure all athletes have an opportunity to improve through active participation.
10. Will uphold the authority of officials and assist them in conducting a fair and impartial contest.
11. Comply with all league rules and regulations and will promptly report any suspected violations.

Prohibited Conduct

The following outlines unacceptable actions while engaging in SSPRD programs and may result in disciplinary action.

1. Child Abuse: Including physical, emotional, sexual, medical abuse, or neglect.
2. Substance Provision: Offering or providing players alcohol, tobacco (including vaping), or illegal drugs.
3. Profane or Abusive Behavior: Any verbal, visual, physical, or virtual behavior involving profanity or abuse that impacts minor athletes.
4. Unlawful Behavior: Breaking any Federal, State, or Local laws.
5. Misconduct: Emotional and physical misconduct, including stalking, bullying, hazing and harassment.
6. Reporting Failures: Failing to report child abuse or neglect as required by law.
7. Retaliation: Retaliating against individuals for disclosing or making a report of child abuse or for participating in the resolution of such a report is strictly prohibited and will result in serious disciplinary action.
8. Aiding and Abetting: Supporting or enabling prohibited behaviors.
9. Sexual Misconduct:
   1. Sexual assault or unlawful sexual contact.
   2. Displaying, providing, or exchanging sexually explicit or pornographic material with players.
   3. Engaging in massages, intimate physical contact, or romantic relationships with minor athletes.
   4. Holding uninterruptible or unobservable coaching sessions or meetings. Best practices include ensuring another adult, coach, parent, guardian, or trusted mandatory reporter is present.

Mandatory Reporting

As a mandatory reporter under Colorado law, Senate Bill 24-113 (SB24-113), and other applicable statutes, including Section 19-3-304 of the Colorado Revised Statutes (C.R.S.), mandatory reporters are legally obligated to report any suspected or known instances of child abuse or neglect.

1. Reports must be made when there is reasonable cause to know or suspect that a child has been subjected to abuse or neglect or has been observed in circumstances that would reasonably result in abuse or neglect.
2. In emergencies, I will call 911. For non-emergencies, I will contact 844-CO-4-KIDS.
3. An understanding that good-faith reporting provides immunity from liability, civil or criminal, or termination of employment unless it is determined that the report was made recklessly or misreporting requirement changes, highlighting the disproportional reporting rates for minority communities.

Compliance and Accountability

Coaches are required to complete the following certifications as mandated by SSPRD and Colorado Legislation.

1. Annual mandatory reporter training.
2. Annual concussion safety training.
3. Bi-Annual background check.

Player Code of Conduct

Standards of Behavior

As a player the following actions are to uphold the highest standards of sportsmanship, respect and effort:

1. Treat teammates, opponents, coaches, and officials with respect.
2. Demonstrate honesty, integrity, and good sportsmanship, whether winning or losing.
3. Follow all team, league, and program rules, including safety-related rules.
4. Take responsibility for my behavior, on and off the field.
5. Tell an adult, coach, professional for the safety of myself and others if I am aware of any person, player, coach, or adult breaking the code of conduct, laws, or rules.
6. Attend practices and games on time and be prepared to participate.
7. Give my best effort at all times and focus on improving my skills.
8. Listen to my coaches' instructions and follow their guidance.
9. Support my teammates with positive encouragement.
10. Accept officials' decisions without arguing or showing unsportsmanlike behavior.

Prohibited Conduct

The following outlines unacceptable actions while engaging in SSPRD programs and may result in disciplinary action.

1. Using abusive, profane, or inappropriate language at any event, including practice, games, and team functions.
2. Providing or offering alcohol, illegal substances, nicotine (including vaping), medications, or supplements to any athlete at any program event or facility.
3. Engaging in taunting, intimidation, bullying, hazing or harassment of other players, coaches, or officials.
4. Cheating, intentionally harming others, or engaging in dangerous play.
5. Engaging in fights, arguments, or disrespectful behavior toward any participant.

Parent/Caregiver/Guardian/Spectator Code of Conduct

Standards of Behavior

As a spectator or parent, the following actions are expected to maintain a positive, supporting and safe environment:

1. Encourage and support all athletes, regardless of team affiliation.
2. Promote sportsmanship and respect for coaches, officials, players, and fellow spectators.
3. Refraining from using foul language, inappropriate gestures, or disrespectful behavior at any program event or facility.
4. Applaud effort, improvement, and fair play.
5. Allow coaches to coach and officials to officiate without interference.
6. Communicating any concerns constructively with coaches or program coordinators at an appropriate time and place (e.g., following a 24-hour cooldown period after a game or event).
7. Respect officials and their decisions, avoiding arguments, criticism, or confrontational behavior.
8. Any adult who observes or suspects child abuse is encouraged to report it to 1-844-CO-4-Kids or 911. If you see something, please say something and feel empowered to intervene and keep children safe. This includes actions that are physical, emotional, sexual, and neglectful abuse. You do not need eyewitness evidence to report.

Prohibited Conduct

The following outlines unacceptable actions while engaging in SSPRD programs and may result in disciplinary action.

1. Use of abusive, profane, or inappropriate language at any event organized by, in support of, or affiliated with SSPRD including but not limited to practices, games, tournaments, team meetings, fundraising events, banquets, or any other official gathering. This also applies to behavior within any partner facility.
2. Engaging in or encouraging unsportsmanlike behavior, including taunting, intimidation, or harassment.
3. Consuming or being under the influence of alcohol or drugs at any program-related event or facility.
4. Providing or offering illegal substances, including alcohol, marijuana, and nicotine (including vaping), to any athlete at any program event or facility.
5. An athlete may not be given over-the-counter drugs, prescription drugs, or supplements without prior parental/guardian consent.
6. Engaging in any actions that could jeopardize the safety or well-being of a child or any other participant.
7. Taunting, intimidating, or harassing players, officials, coaches, or other spectators.

Non-Compliance of Prohibited Conduct for Coach/Player/Spectator/Guardian

Any South Suburban staff member or official shall have the authority to administer immediate disciplinary action to individual players, coaches, managers, and spectators for violations of this Code of Conduct.

Penalties for infractions may result in a warning, forfeiture of game and/or ejection from the game/league and/or expulsion of teams, coaches, managers, or spectators from all South Suburban Athletics Programs.  Consequences of infractions do not necessarily follow the order outlined above.

Some Code of Conduct violations may also subject the violator to criminal prosecution in addition to any sanctions administered by local law enforcement.

Disciplinary Committees have been established for every sport league with at least 3-6 SSPRD staff members to ensure unbiased, fair, and consistent disciplinary actions occur for respective programs/leagues/tournaments. There is a 24 hour “cool off period” to allow any party(ies) subject to a disciplinary action during a game before initiating the complaint process for their respective sport.

USAHockey & SafeSport Representatives may conduct their own disciplinary procedures and penalties as established by their organization.  These penalties may be in lieu of SSPRD committee’s penalties or ancillary of, as determined by the SSPRD Disciplinary Committee.

Ejection Consequences

The ejected person must leave the field/court/rink of play immediately.  The ejected person will have two (2) minutes to gather their belongings and vacate the playing premises.  Failure to leave the field/court/rink of play within two (2) minutes will result in forfeiture of the game for the team in which the ejected participant, coach, or spectator was associated with.

Information for the ejected participant, coach, or spectator must be provided to a South Suburban staff member (supervisor, scorekeeper, official/umpire/referee, etc.) prior to the team leaving the playing premises (usually provided by the team manager).  Information required includes: first and last name, contact phone number, contact e-mail address, and team the ejected person is associated with.

The ejection report will be given to the SSPRD Coordinator responsible for the program in which the ejection occurred.  A meeting between the Coordinator and ejected participant must take place prior to reinstatement of the ejected participant back into the program.

Every SSPRD sport league will establish a penalties and suspension rule section that utilizes the following baseline for ejected participants, coaches, and spectators:

1st Offense – minimum one game suspension from program in which ejection occurred.

2nd Offense – minimum multi-game suspension from program in which ejection occurred.

3rd Offense – minimum multi-season suspension from program in which ejection occurred.

Ejected individuals may be subject to fines, suspension, or a combination of both as outlined in the sports penalties and suspension rules.  An ejected individual may appeal their suspension by contacting the Disciplinary Committee. Once an individual is ejected from a game, they will be placed on a probationary period for one calendar year from the date of ejection. Suspended individuals will not be allowed to attend the program where the infraction occurred while serving their suspension.  Any individual ejected from a game during their probationary period will receive suspension from ALL South Suburban Athletic Programs.

Definitions

South Suburban staff members reserve the right to establish guidelines for any and all rules or infractions not covered in the league rules and/or Code of Conduct.