USCLAC Handbook
The USCLAC Centre Handbook provides athletes and families with information about our centre and the values under which we operate. We encourage all members to read through the USCLAC Centre Handbook 21/22.
Code of Conduct
Athletes
- Be a good sport. Respect all good performances whether from your Centre or the opponents and shake hands with and thank the opposing athletes and officials after the event – win, lose or draw.
- Participate for your own enjoyment and benefit.
- Always respect the official’s decision.
- Never become involved in acts of foul play.
- Honour both the spirit and intention of the competition rules and live up the highest ideals of ethics and sportsmanship. Avoid gamesmanship and respect the traditions of the sport.
- Never engage in disrespectful conduct of any sort including profanity, sledging, obscene gestures, offensive remarks, trash-talking, taunting or other actions that are demeaning to other athletes, officials or supporters.
- Care for and respect the facilities and equipment made available to you during training and competition.
- Safeguard your health. Don’t use any illegal or unhealthy substances.
- Recognise that officials and coaches are volunteers who give up their time to provide their services. Treat them with the utmost respect.
- Do not bet or otherwise financially speculate, directly or indirectly, on the outcome or any other aspect of a Little Athletics event or competition in which you are involved.
Coaches
- Actively discourage foul play and/or unsportsmanlike behaviour by athletes.
- Seek to maximise the participation and enjoyment of all athletes regardless of ability; avoid the tendency to over-use a talented athlete; treat all athletes as equals, regardless of their talent.
- Show concern and caution towards all sick and injured athletes. Follow the advice of a physician and/or sports trainer to the letter when determining when an injured athlete is ready to recommence training or competition.
- Teach athletes that an honest effort and competing to the best of their ability is as important as victory.
- Maintain a thorough knowledge of the rules of competition and keep abreast of current coaching methods. Maintain or improve your current accreditation level.
- Always consider the health, safety and welfare of the athletes.
- Teach young athletes to realise that there is a big gap between their ability and the professional athlete. Do not coach them as if they are professionals.
- Ensure that your coaching reflects the level of the competition being involved with and don’t be a ‘win at all costs’ coach.
- As coach, conduct yourself at all times, and in all situations, in a manner that shows leadership, respect for the sport of Little Athletics and respect for all those that are involved in the sport – athletes, officials, spectators, parents and the media.
Officials
- Be impartial! Also, be consistent, objective and courteous.
- Place the safety and welfare of the athletes above all else. Be alert to minimise dangerous physical play, fair or foul, especially competition days.
- Accept responsibility for all actions taken.
- Avoid any form of verbal contact with coaches, team officials, parents and spectators during competition.
- Avoid any situation which may lead to a conflict of interest, both on and off the field.
- Condemn all and every instance of unsportsmanlike, foul or unfair play.
- Set a good example by the way you dress, speak and act towards athletes, coaches, officials, parents and spectators.
- Show concern and caution towards sick and injured athletes.
- Officiate to the age and/or experience of the athletes.
Parents/Spectators
- Condemn all violent or illegal acts, whether they are by athletes, coaches, officials, parents or spectators.
- Respect the official’s decisions. Don’t complain or argue about actions or decisions during or after an event.
- Unsportsmanlike language, harassment or aggressive behaviour will not be tolerated.
- Encourage athletes to play by the rules and to respect opposing athletes and officials.
- Never ridicule or scorn an athlete for making a mistake, respect their efforts.
- Understand that sport is part of a total life experience, and the benefits of involvement go far beyond the final placing of an event.
- Participate in positive cheering that encourages the athletes in the Centre you are supporting. Don’t engage in any cheering that taunts or intimidates opponents, their fans or officials.
- Remember that children participate in Little Athletics for their own enjoyment, not yours!
- At all times follow the directions of the Arena Manager and/or other competition day officials.
- Never arrive at a Little Athletics competition under the influence of alcohol. Never bring alcohol to a Little Athletics competition or training.
Smoking & Alcohol
- Smoking is not permitted in any competition or spectator areas during any Little Athletics competition.
- Little Athletics understands the harmful affects of smoking on health, fitness and performance in sport, and as a result has adopted the following Policy.
- Premises and competition areas are declared smoke free zones – smoking permitted only where a special smoking area is designated.
- Athletes / Participants are reminded that smoking adversely affects performances and are prohibited from smoking at all whilst engaged in Little Athletics activities.
- Coaches and Officials are reminded of their responsibilities as role models particularly with juniors and are asked to refrain from smoking whilst coaching or officiating in our sport.
- Spectators are reminded smoking is inappropriate behaviour in a sporting environment and are asked to respect our Smoking Policy.
- Visiting Athletes, Coaches, Officials and Administrators are also asked to respect our Codes of Conduct and Non Smoking Policy
Please note that there is a zero tolerance for alcohol as per QLAA regulations.
Anyone that is found to be in the possession of alcohol will be removed immediately. Anyone under the influence of alcohol will not be permitted to gain access to the facilities and will be asked to leave at once.