Code of Conduct

By becoming a member of Burwood AFC all persons agree to abide by the NZ Football Code of Conduct. This includes players, coaches, parents and caregivers.

Details are summarised below.

The Coach will:

Respect the rights, dignity and worth of every individual player as a human being and: 

  • Treat everyone equally regardless of gender, disability, ethnicity or religion.
  • Respect the talent, developmental stage and goals of each player in order to help each player reach their full potential.
  • Maintain high standards of integrity.
  • Operate within the rules of football and in the spirit of fair play, while encouraging players to do the same.
  • Advocate a sporting environment free of drugs and other performance enhancing substances within the guidelines of the New Zealand Sports Drug Agency.
  • Not disclose any confidential information relating to their players without written prior consent. 

Be a positive role model for the sport and the players and act in a way that projects a positive image of coaching viz: 

  • Provide all players with the equal attention and opportunities they deserve.
  • Ensure the time spent with their player(s) is a positive experience.
  • Be fair, considerate and honest with players.
  • Encourage and promote a healthy lifestyle – refrain from smoking, drinking alcohol and engaging in poor lifestyle choices around players. 

Show professional responsibility: 

  • Display high standards in language, manner, punctuality, preparation and presentation.
  • Display control, courtesy, respect, honesty, dignity and professionalism to all involved within the sphere of sport - this includes opponents, coaches, officials, administrators, the media, parents and spectators.
  • Encourage their players to demonstrate the same qualities.
  • Be professional and accept responsibility for their actions.
  • Refrain from initiating a relationship with a player and also discourage any attempt by a player to initiate a sexual relationship with them, explaining the ethical basis of the refusal.
  • Accurately represent personal coaching qualifications, experience, competence and affiliations.
  • Refrain from criticism of other coaches. 

Make a commitment to providing a quality service to their players: 

  • Seek continual improvement through ongoing coach education and other personal and professional development opportunities.
  • Provide players with planned and structured training programmes appropriate to their needs and goals.
  • Seek advice and assistance from professionals when additional expertise is required.
  • Maintain appropriate records. 

Provide a safe environment for training and competition: 

  • Adopt appropriate risk management strategies to ensure that the training and/or competition environment is safe. 
  • Ensure equipment and facilities meet safety standards.
  • Ensure equipment, rules, training and the environment are appropriate for the age, physical and emotional maturity, experience and ability of the players.
  • Show concern and caution toward sick and injured players.
  • Allow further participation in training and competition only when appropriate.
  • Encourage players to seek medical advice when required.
  • Provide a modified training programme where appropriate. Maintain the same interest and support toward sick and injured players.

Protect players from any form of personal abuse: 

  • Refrain from any form of verbal, physical and emotional abuse towards players.
  • Refrain from any form of sexual and racial harassment, racial vilification and harassment on the grounds of disability.
  • Ensure that any physical contact with players is appropriate to the situation and necessary for the player's skill development.
  • Be alert to any forms of abuse directed towards players from other sources while in their care. 


The Player will: 

  • Play to win but play fair.
  • Never argue with or verbally abuse an official; observe the Laws of the Game.
  • Accept defeat with dignity.
  • Conduct themselves in a sportsman-like manner and respect fellow players, coaches, managers and referees and the achievement of opponents.
  • Not bully or take an unfair advantage of another competitor.
  • Cooperate with their coach, manager, team mates and opponents. 


The Parent/Guardian will: 

  • Agree to abide by the Code of Conduct.
  • Remember that children participate in sport for their enjoyment, not the parents.
  • Encourage children to participate and not force them.
  • Focus on the child’s efforts and performance rather than winning or losing.
  • Encourage children always to compete according to the rules and to settle disagreements without resorting to hostility or violence.
  • Never ridicule or yell at a child for making a mistake or losing a competition.
  • Remember that children learn best by example.
  • Support all efforts to remove verbal and physical abuse from sporting activities.
  • Respect officials’ decisions and teach children to do likewise.
  • Show appreciation for coaches, officials and administrators. 


Code of Conduct Breaches 

    Any serious breaches of this Code of Conduct or persistent violations of any aspect of the Code of Conduct, by any of the above may result in any of the following being imposed: 

    • Suspension
    • Good behaviour bond
    • Fines
    • Loss of competition points
    • Loss of match.