Code of Behaviour (from the SA Little Athletics website)

ATHLETES
Play by the rules.
Never argue with an official. If you disagree ask your Team Manager, Chaperone or supervising adult to deal with the matter.
Control your temper. Verbal abuse of officials or other athletes, deliberately distracting or provoking an opponent is not acceptable or permitted in our sport.
Work equally hard for yourself and / or your Centre/Club. Your Centre/Club’s performance will benefit.
Be a good sport. Applaud all good results whether they be by your Centre/Club, opponent or the other Centre/Cub.
Treat all athletes as you would like to be treated. Do not interfere with, bully or take unfair advantage of another athlete.
Co-operate with your coach, club mates and other participants. Without them there would be no competition.

Participate in Athletics for the “fun of it” and not just to please parents and coaches.

PARENTS
Encourage children to participate if they are interested. However, if a child is not willing to do not force him or her.
Focus upon the child’s efforts rather than the overall outcome of the event. This assists the child in setting realistic goals related to his/her ability by reducing the emphasis on winning.
Teach children that an honest effort is as important as victory, so that the result of each event is accepted without undue disappointment.
Encourage children to always participate according to the rules.
Never ridicule or yell at a child for making a mistake or losing an event.
Remember children are involved in Little Athletics for their enjoyment, not yours.
If you disagree with an official, raise the issue through the appropriate channels rather than questioning the official’s judgment and honesty in public. Remember, most officials give their time and effort for your Childs involvement.
Support all efforts to remove verbal and physical abuse at Little Athletics activities.
Recognise the value and importance of being a volunteer official and/ or coach. They give their time and resources to provide recreational activities for children and deserve your support.
Demonstrate appropriate social behaviour, by not harassing athletes, coaches or officials, smoking on the arena or being intoxicated.

ADMINISTRATORS
Involve children in the planning, leadership, evaluation and decision making related to the activity.
Ensure that equal opportunities for participation in sports are made available to all children, regardless of ability, size, shape, sex, disability or ethnic origin.
Ensure that equipment and facilities are safe and appropriate to the ability level of participating children.
Ensure rules, equipment, events and training schedules take into consideration the age ability and maturity level of participating children.
Ensure that adequate supervision is provided by qualified and competent coaches and officials capable of developing appropriate positive behaviour and skill technique.
Remember that children participate for enjoyment (play down the importance of rewards).
Avoid allowing programs to become primarily spectator entertainment. Focus on the needs of participants rather than the enjoyment of the spectator.
Provide clinics aimed at improving the standards of coaching and officiating, with an emphasis of appropriate behaviour and skill technique.
Ensure that parents, coaches, sponsors, administrators officials and participants understand their responsibilities regarding fair play.
Distribute the Code of Behaviour sheet to spectators, officials, parents, coaches and athletes.

OFFICIALS
Compliment all participants on their effort.
Be consistent, objective and courteous in calling all infringements.
Condemn unsporting behaviour and promote respect for all opponents.
Ensure that the “Spirit of the Game” for children is not lost using common sense and not over emphasizing errors.
Ensure that equipment and facilities meet safety standards and are appropriate to the age and ability of the participants.
Publicly encourage rule changes which reinforce the principles of participation for fun and enjoyment.
Ensure that your behaviour is consistent with the principles of good sporting behaviour. Actions speak louder than words.
Make a personal commitment to keep yourself informed of sound officiating principles and the principles of growth and development of children.

COACHES
Be reasonable in your demands on young athletes time, energy and enthusiasm.
Teach athletes the rules of the sport are mutual agreements which no one should evade or break.
Whenever possible group athletes to give a reasonable chance of success.
Avoid over coaching the better performing athletes, the “just average athletes need and deserve equal time.
Remember that children participate for fun and enjoyment and that winning is only part of their motivation. Never ridicule or yell at the children for making mistakes or losing an event.
Ensure that equipment and facilities meet safety standards and are appropriate to the age and ability of the athletes.
Take into consideration the maturity level of the children when scheduling and determining the length of training times and competition.
Develop respect for the ability of opponents as well as for the judgment of officials and coaches.
Follow the advice of a physician when determining when an injured athlete is ready to recommence training or competition.
Make a personal commitment to keep yourself informed of sound coaching principles and the principles of growth and development of children.
Demonstrate appropriate social behaviour, by not harassing athletes, other coaches or officials, smoking on the arena or being intoxicated.