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Fair Play - Please!

Fair Play

For the good of the game!

The Canadian Soccer Association Page 2

Call to action

As a coach:

• you want every child’s experience in sport to be positive;

• you want to win, but you also want to emphasize the importance of skill

development and fun; and

• you believe that fair play can and should be taught.

Whether you are new to the game or an experienced, competitive coach, this

manual is for you. It offers practical and easy-to-use fair play tips and tools. We

encourage you to apply them in your practices or games to teach the importance

of fair play to your athletes.

What is Fair Play?

Integrity, fairness and respect - these are the principles of fair play. And since

children learn best by seeing and doing, sport offers an excellent opportunity to

teach fair play in a way that is both effective and fun.

• If children see all the members on the team being given a turn, they will learn

to treat people equally and fairly.

• If children learn the importance of rules in a game, they will learn to respect

and value the rules in society.

• If children are regarded for playing fairly, they will learn the value of honesty

and integrity.

As a coach or youth leader, you are an important role model to the children on

your team. By ensuring that your words and actions reflect the five principles

outlined on the following page, you can teach them to play well and play fairly.

Principles of Fair Play

1. Respect the rules.

2. Respect the officials and their decisions.

3. Respect your opponent.

4. Give everyone an equal chance to participate.

5. Maintain your self-control at all times.

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Why Teach Fair Play?

Like most coaches, you probably take time from an already busy schedule to be

a volunteer. We know your job isn’t easy. Because you’re their coach, your

athletes look up to you - perhaps more than to their own parents. you can

influence their personal development as well as teach them to play well.

You already know that sport helps children to learn important life skills such as

team-work and co-operation. It also give them the chance to develop lifelong

values such as integrity, fairness and respect - the key principles of fair play. By

teaching your athletes these principles, you’ll make sure that they get the best

out of sport and that they continue playing in their adult life.

A study of coaches and their athletes undertaken by Angus Reid (fall 1991)

revealed some important findings about how they perceive and practice fair play:

1. The vast majority of athletes and coaches place a higher value on fair

competition than on winning. However, most athletes associate fair play

primarily with respect for the rules, whereas most coaches associate fair play

with respect for the officials. It is important that we all have a clear

understanding of what fair play is, and that we work together toward common

fair play goals.

2. Younger athletes are more open-minded and committed to fair play than older

athletes. This highlights the need for fair play education for both groups. Older

athletes need to be reminded of the importance of fair play; younger athletes

need to be taught fair play effectively so that it ‘sticks’ in later years.

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3. Young athletes look first to coaches, parents and league officials for guidance

on fair play, but these individuals often lack the proper teaching tools. “Fair Play

- Please! Fair Play: For the good of the game!” provides those tools for coaches

and other adults involved in the delivery of community sport.

With Fair Play, Everybody Wins!

In the world of business, an arrangement that benefits two parties is a win-win

deal - one that allows both sides to take advantage of the same opportunity

without compromising their competitive spirit or individual goals.

Fair play makes this possible in the world of sport! By making sure that the

rules, officials and opponents are respected at all times, it gives all participants

an equal chance to develop and

test their skills. What’s more, it challenges them to measure their success by

scoring and performing well - with dignity, integrity and pride.

Wanting to win is great and should be encouraged, but not at all costs. Fair

play: it’s a win-win approach that means greater benefits and better competition

for everyone in sport!

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Fair Play Code For Coaches

1. I will be reasonable when scheduling games and practices remembering that

young athletes have other interest and obligations.

2. I will teach my athletes to play fairly and to respect the rules, officials and

opponents.

3. I will ensure that all athletes get equal instruction, support and playing time.

4. I will not ridicule or yell at my athletes for making mistakes or for performing

poorly. I will remember that children play to have fun and must be encouraged

to have confidence in themselves.

5. I will make sure that equipment and facilities are safe and match the athletes’

ages and abilities.

6. I will remember that children need a coach they can respect. I will be

generous with praise and set a good example.

7. I will obtain proper training and continue to upgrade my coaching skills.

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Fair Play Code For Athletes

1. I will participate because I want to, not just because my parents or coaches

want me to.

2. I will play by the rules, and in the spirit of the game.

3. I will control my temper - fighting and “mouthing off” can spoil the activity for

everybody.

4. I will respect my opponents.

5. I will do my best to be a true team player.

6. I will remember that winning isn’t everything - that having fun, improving

skills, making friends and doing my best are also important.

7. I will acknowledge all good plays/performances - those of my team and of my

opponents.

8. I will remember that coaches and officials are there to help me. I will accept

their decisions and show them respect.

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Fair Play Code For Parents

1. I will not force my child to participate in sports.

2. I will remember that my child plays sport for his or her enjoyment, not for

mine.

3. I will encourage my child to play by the rules and to resolve conflicts without

resorting to hostility or violence.

4. I will teach my child that doing one’s best is as important as winning, so that

my child will never feel defeated by the outcome of a game/event.

5. I will make my child feel like a winner every time by offering praise for

competing fairly and trying hard.

6. I will never ridicule or yell at my child for making a mistake or losing a

competition.

7. I will remember that children learn best by example. I will applaud good

plays/performances by both my child’s team and their opponents.

8. I will never question the officials’ judgment or honesty in public.

9. I will support all efforts to remove verbal and physical abuse from children’s

sporting activities.

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10. I will respect and show appreciation for the volunteer coaches who give their

time to provide sport activities for my child.