PSO COACHES’ CODE OF ETHICS

I hereby pledge to live up to the expectations of a PSO Coach by following the PSO Coaches’ Code of Ethics:

1. I will support PSO efforts to advance faith through prayer and value lessons by making sure that each weekly value lesson is taught to my team during practice along with a brief team discussion on what each topic means and how we can apply it to our lives. Furthermore, if we are the home team, I will see that the game is opened and/or closed in prayer following a short recap of the week’s value lesson theme.  Further, I understand that as a participant of PSO Sports, my team is required to attend the End-of-Season Celebration or Skills Clinic, whichever is listed on the Key Dates page. In accordance with the PSO mission statement, there will be a gospel presentation at this event. A team may be disqualified from advancing to the post-season tournament if players from any team do not attend the entire event. Please check with your league commissioner for applicable sport-specific rules. I understand that my team does not have the right to play in the post-season tournament but that it is a bonus to the season based on league rules.

2. I will place the emotional and physical well-being of my players ahead of a personal desire to win.

3. I will treat each player as an individual and with respect, remembering the large range of emotional and physical development of children. This includes inviting EVERY child back to my team the following season.

4. I will do my best to provide a safe playing environment for my players, and will remove any player from play when continued play may result in harm to that player.

5. I will review and practice basic first aid principles needed to treat injuries of my players.

6. I will organize practices that are fun and challenging for all my players.

7. I will lead by example in demonstrating fair play and sportsmanship.

8. I will provide a sports environment for my team that is free of drug, tobacco, alcohol, and abusive, derogatory or vulgar language and will refrain from such use at all PSO sporting events and functions.

9. I will be knowledgeable in the rules of the sport and I will teach these rules to my players.

10. I will know the PSO rules for my sport and do my best to follow the spirit of those rules.

11. I will remember that I am a youth sports coach and that the game is for children...not adults.

12. I agree to have a team parent meeting prior to the season to explain my expectations, coaching philosophy, etc. I recognize that more than one parent meeting may be required.

13. I understand that children make physical mistakes.

14. I will teach my players how to win and lose like champions and with class. I will not allow my team to quit, but rather persevere through difficult competition. According to the rules, coaches that direct their team to quit a game before the game is over will face a one game suspension for the first offense, and will be removed from the league for any subsequent offense.

15. I will be courteous to all league officials by maintaining a respectful attitude toward their position. I will abstain from displays of anger such as yelling at, arguing with, or disagreeing with calls by the officials. Such unacceptable behavior may result in my removal as a coach.

16. I will be courteous to all other coaches by maintaining a respectful attitude toward them and their team. I will abstain from displays of anger such as yelling at, arguing with, or disagreeing with opposing coaches. I will not recruit players from other teams or entertain discussions with their parents about changing teams without first discussing the matter with the other coach and PSO league administrators. Such unacceptable behavior may result in my removal as a coach.

17. I will advance the efforts of PSO in helping boys and girls understand what it means to grow into a Godly person with respect for authority.