The Club expects its players to observe, at all times, these codes of behavior and sportsmanship when representing the Club. This policy is based on the Netball Victoria Junior and Senior Player Code of Conduct Policy.

All players must:

• Be financial members of the Malvern Central Netball Club and must be registered with Netball Victoria in a playing year.

• Comply with the Child Safety in Netball Code of Conduct (available in our policies)

• Participate because you enjoy it, not just to please parents and coaches.

• Know the rules of netball and play by the rules of netball.

• Participate fairly and safely.

• Demonstrate good sportsmanship; shake hands with your opponent at the end of each game and applaud all good play from both your own team and opponents.

• Abide by decisions, without argument or bad temper.

• Speak with your coach about any issues on court and have the coach approach an umpire during an interval or after the game for clarification of any rule.

• Approach the umpire in a courteous and polite manner at all times.

• Cooperate with your coach, and other players. Deliberately fouling or provoking an opponent or team member at training or during a game is not acceptable or permitted.

• Respect the Club’s equipment and facilities. Abide by the rules and ensure facilities are well cared for and not damaged.

• Cooperate with your team, coach, team manager and other players and be a responsible team member.

• Treat all players as you would like to be treated. Encourage and assist all players.

• Be a patient and enthusiastic supporter of fellow players.

• Attend all training sessions, advise your coach as soon as possible if you are unable to attend training.

• Attend all matches, advise your coach as soon as possible if you are unable to play a match.

• Arrive and be ready for each match 15 minutes before the match start time.

• Ensure you always bring the appropriate uniform and equipment to training/ games and that you abide by the PNA rules on fingernails and jewellery.

• Do not engage in practices that affect sporting performance (alcohol, drugs)

• Respect and acknowledge the contribution of those who create the opportunity for you to play including coaches, scorers, timekeepers, administrations, umpires and any volunteers.

The Club expects parents of registered club players, to observe these codes of behaviour and sportsmanship at all times. This policy is based on the Netball Victoria Parents Code of Conduct Policy.

All parents of registered club players must:

• Ensure your child is registered with the Club and Netball Victoria in a playing year.

• Fully comply with the Child Safety in Netball Code of Conduct (available in our policies).

• Remember all children participate for pleasure, winning is not a priority.

• Encourage your child/ren to participate in appropriate netball activity, if your child is interested, However, if your child is not willing to participate, do not force him or her. Remember, children should be involved in organised activity for their enjoyment.

• Focus upon your child’s effort and performance rather than the overall outcome of the event. This assists your child in setting realistic goals related to his/her ability by reducing the emphasis on winning.

• Teach your child that an honest effort is as important as victory, so that the result of each game is accepted without undue disappointment.

• Encourage your child to always play according to the rules and in line with the Club’s Code of Conduct for players.

• Avoid ridiculing or yelling at a child for making a mistake or losing a game.

• Remember that children learn best from example. Applaud good play by all players.

• If you disagree with an umpire or coach, raise the issue through the appropriate channels such as the coach, team manager or MCNC committee rather than question their judgement, or behave inappropriately, in public.

• Respect the umpires and coach’s decisions. If there is a disagreement, follow the appropriate procedure of speaking with your coach or team manager to question the decision and teach children to do likewise. Parents and spectators must not approach umpires during a game.

• Support all efforts to remove verbal and physical abuse.

• Recognise and respect the value and importance of volunteer administrators, coaches, and umpires. They give up their time and resources to provide recreational activities for players and deserve your support. Abusive, discourteous or inappropriate behavior towards any of these individuals is not acceptable or tolerated.

• Be a model of good sports behaviour for children to copy.

• Be courteous in communication with administrators, coaches, players and umpires. Teach children to do likewise.

• Support the use of age appropriate development activities and modified rules. Modified rules are designed to ensure new and younger players can learn and develop in a fun and enjoyable manner and encourages players of all skill levels to participate.

The Club expects coaches who represent the Club at matches and who work with registered Club players, to observe these codes of behavior and sportsmanship at all times. This policy is based on the Netball Victoria Coaches Code of Conduct Policy.

All coaches must:

• Be registered with Netball Victoria as a coach in a playing year.

• Hold, at a minimum, the Netball Australia Foundation Coach accreditation.

• Hold a current Working with Children Check in Victoria if over 18 years of age.

• Fully comply with the Child Safety in Netball Code of Conduct (available in our policies section or on requiest).

• Remember all children participate for pleasure, winning is not a priority.

• Never ridicule or yell at a child for making a mistake or losing.

• Provide feedback to players in a caring sensitive manner to their needs. Avoid overly negative feedback.

• Encourage players to take responsibility for their own behaviour, performance, decisions and actions.

• Promote an environment of mutual support and respect among your players, regardless of their level of play.

• Refrain from any form of harassment towards your players, treating all players fairly within the context of their netball activities, regardless of gender, race, place of origin, athletic potential, colour, sexual orientation, religion, political beliefs, socio-economic status. (Abide by Netball Victoria Member Protection Regulation).

• As a coach, present yourself as a role model that promotes the positive aspects of netball by maintaining the highest standards of personal conduct

• Be reasonable in your demands on your player’s time, energy and enthusiasm, set realistic standards and objectives.

• Teach the children to follow rules and accept the umpire’s decision.

• Provide training and game opportunities that ensure everyone has a reasonable chance of success and to improve and acquire skills and develop confidence.

• All players should receive equal court time during the season.

• Be aware of, and abide by, the MCNC Match Day Policy.

• Keep up to date with the latest coaching practices and the principles of growth and development of the children and attend any MCNC coaches meetings/ forums.

• Advise the Club immediately of any issues or concerns with your training equipment.

• Make a commitment to provide training programs that are planned and sequential.

• Remember children need a coach they respect, be generous with your praise and set a good example. Positive re-enforcement and encouragement are important for building self-esteem and confidence in your players.

The Club expects spectators of registered club players, to observe these codes of behavior and sportsmanship at all times. This policy is based on the Netball Victoria Spectators Code of Conduct Policy.

All spectators of registered club players:

• Must fully comply with the Child Safety in Netball Code of Conduct (available in our policies).

• Are encouraged to support the players by their presence at matches.

• Must remember most players (in particular children) participate in netball activities for fun. They are not participating for the entertainment of spectators.

• Must applaud good performance and efforts by all players. When watching a game congratulate both teams upon their performance regardless of the game’s outcome.

• Must respect the umpires and coach’s decisions. If there is a disagreement, follow the appropriate procedure of speaking with your coach or team manager to question the decision and teach children to do likewise. Parents and spectators must not approach umpires during a game.

• Never ridicule or scold a player for making a mistake during a game. Positive comments are motivational.

• Condemn the use of violence in any form, be it by administrators, coaches, players, umpires or parents/guardians.

• Demonstrate appropriate social behaviour by not using foul language, and not harassing administrators, coaches, players, umpires or supporters. Refrain from conduct which could be regarded as sexual harassment, discrimination, bullying or victimisation.

• Encourage players to play according to the rules and official decisions, and develop your own knowledge of the rules. MCNC has a simplified version of the rules here that is available on request.