Zero Tolerance Policy Waiver

South Florida Football Academy ZERO-TOLERANCE POLICY ON NEGATIVE BEHAVIOR

PURPOSE

To further SFFA efforts to promote a positive environment for all players, coaches, referees, and spectators, to clarify our position on the subject of inappropriate behavior, to set forth guidelines for handling violations of the policy, and to specify the related complaint handling procedures. Unfortunately, unacceptable incidents of verbal and/or physical abuse occur with regularity around our country. In light of these events, SFFA has adopted this “Zero Tolerance” policy regarding referee, coach, player, and/or spectator abuse.

POLICY

SFFA will not tolerate negative behavior of any type at our practices, games, and events. Verbal abuse of referees has escalated to the point that referees, particularly youth referees, are refusing to stay involved in soccer. The referees have complete authority over the conduct of the players, coaches, and spectators from the moment they arrive until the moment they leave the field. The decisions of the referee regarding facts connected with play are final. Just as a player or coach may be disciplined by the referee for unsportsmanlike conduct or dissent, a spectator may be asked to leave the area surrounding the field if they are harassing or heckling the referees, players, or coaches, or in any way interfering with the progress of the game. The referee is not required to issue a warning. If the offending individual refuses to leave the area, the referee may stop the game, resulting in a forfeit for the offending individual’s team. Coaches may be penalized for the inappropriate behavior of parents, players, or spectators. It is an essential requirement that all coaches, officials, players, and spectators support and promote an environment free from all forms of negative behavior and inappropriate conduct covered by this policy. Any person who has engaged in behavior covered by this policy will be disciplined and/or their involvement in the club may be terminated. Any coach, spectator, or player who is asked to leave the field will not be permitted to attend any games, practices, or events until he or she has met with the SFFA Disciplinary Committee to discuss the incident and review the expectations concerning sportsmanship and appropriate behavior at youth events. A second offense by a coach, spectator, or player will at minimum, result in a suspension for the remainder of the season, and a second appearance with the Committee, where further disciplinary action may be taken.

DEFINITIONS

✓ Making a negative comment or gesture directed toward the referee or asst. referee.

✓ Making comments about the referee or directing the referee (ex. “Are you blind?”, “Hand ball ref! Get in the game!”, “Offsides! Call it both ways!”); or

✓ Refusing to follow the instructions of the referee.

PROCEDURES

WHAT TO DO IF YOU EXPERIENCE NEGATIVE BEHAVIOR

If you believe you have seen or experienced any form of negative behavior, or other conduct covered by this policy, whether directed to you or another person, please report it to GBYSA / Boca United Administration as soon as possible. Do not allow an inappropriate situation to continue by not reporting it, regardless of who is creating that situation. You should report conduct prohibited by this policy immediately to one of the SFFA representatives listed below:

• The DOC: Eichmann88@yahoo.com

• The Club Administrator: bufc_admin@gbysa.org

• The Club President: Gbysa_admin@gbysa.org

WHAT SFFA WILL DO WITH YOUR REPORT

SFFA will promptly conduct a complete investigation of your report. We will:

✓ Contact you to get the details of your report.

✓ Keep you informed of the status of the investigation as it proceeds; and

✓ Advise you of the outcome of the investigation and any resulting discipline.

SFFA will not tolerate any acts of retaliation against you for making a report. If you feel that someone is retaliating against you for making a report, please tell one of the club representatives listed above so that Fusion can investigate your concerns and take appropriate corrective action.

SFFA has zero tolerance for negative behavior.

South Florida Football Academy will not stand for it and you should not either. Please help SFFA make our club free from inappropriate behavior by treating everyone with the respect they deserve, and by reporting any incidents to SFFA. Let us remember, the game is for the kids.

ADDITIONAL NOTES

Like all of us, referees will make mistakes. You are entitled to be disappointed when you think a referee is not doing a good job, but these feelings should not interfere with the game. We need to accept the fact that everyone makes mistakes and move on. It is the coach’s responsibility to contact Referee@gbysa,org or the Referee Association if he or she feels the referee’s skills are in need of improvement.

Making negative comments about the referees, or even the skill level of players or decisions of coaches for that matter, is never welcome. Regardless of how slight you feel your comment may be, you need to keep in mind that your child’s self-esteem and game performance is at stake. To perform at the best of his or her abilities, a player needs to focus on the game, such as their own decision-making, skill, positioning, and fitness. If he or she becomes distracted by side-coaching, too many people giving direction, or negative comments directed at him or her, or the referees, it diverts his or her attention away from the task at hand.

Please sign stating you have read and understand the policy.