PARENT CODE OF CONDUCT

On September 23, 2000, the Massachusetts Governor's Committee on Physical Fitness and Sports and the National Youth Sports Safety Foundation, Inc. convened a consensus meeting of more than 30 heads of Massachusetts' chapters of national sports and medical associations, educational organizations, and professional associations to develop a sport parent code of conduct for the state. Following are excerpts from the Code (the Code can be found in its entirety at www.nyssf.org).

I agree:

• I will remember that children participate to have fun and that the game is for youth, not adults.
• I (and my guests) will be a positive role model for my child and encourage sportsmanship by showing respect and courtesy, and by demonstrating positive support for all players, coaches, officials and spectators at every game, practice or other sporting event.
• I will teach my child that doing one's best is more important than winning.
• I will praise my child for competing fairly and trying hard.
• I will respect the officials and their authority during games and will never question, discuss, or confront coaches at the game field.
• I will demand a sports environment for my child that is free from drugs, tobacco, and alcohol and I will refrain from their use at all sports events.
• I will refrain from coaching my child or other players during games and practices, unless I am one of the official coaches of the team.

I also agree that if I fail to abide by the aforementioned rules and guidelines, I will be subject to a verbal or written warning or game or season suspension.