Code of Conduct

Players

• •Respect teammates, opponents, coaches, referees and venues.
• •Try your best, support others and accept mistakes as part of learning.
• •No bullying, teasing, exclusion, discrimination or aggression.
• •Listen to coaches and follow safety instructions.
• •Look after equipment and leave venues as you found them.
• •Tell a coach or your parent if something does not feel right.

Parents and guardians

• •Encourage effort, learning and enjoyment rather than only results.
• •No abuse, aggression or intimidation towards children, coaches, referees or other families.
• •Leave the coaching to the coaches; sideline instruction and criticism during play confuses children.
• •Arrive and collect on time, and let us know about absences.
• •Raise concerns respectfully and privately through the proper channels.
• •Provide accurate medical, emergency and support information.

Coaches, staff and contractors

• •Put children's safety and wellbeing first, always.
• •Deliver the FC Gold Coast methodology consistently and professionally.
• •Maintain professional boundaries and follow the Child Safeguarding Policy.
• •Use positive, age-appropriate language; never humiliate, intimidate or single out a child.
• •Communicate with players through the FC Hub or a guardian, not privately.
• •Report incidents, injuries and concerns promptly.
• •Satisfy applicable Blue Card or Working With Children requirements before undertaking relevant duties.

Spectators

• •Support all children positively, including the other team.
• •Respect referees and officials, including when you disagree.
• •No abusive, discriminatory or threatening language or behaviour.
• •Follow venue rules and keep sidelines and playing areas clear.

Social media and communication

• •Do not post images of other people's children without their guardian's consent.
• •Do not post abusive, discriminatory or defamatory comments about players, families, coaches or officials.
• •Keep group chats respectful and on topic.
• •Do not share private FC Hub information, including other families' details or development records.

Facilities and equipment

Treat venues, goals, balls, bibs and other equipment with care, and follow the rules of any venue we use. Families may be asked to cover the cost of deliberate damage.

Consequences and fairness

Where the code is not met, we respond proportionately. Depending on the seriousness, that may mean a quiet conversation, a formal warning, a change to how someone participates, a suspension, or removal from our programs. We tell the person what the concern is, give them a fair chance to respond, and consider the circumstances before deciding. Conduct that puts a child at risk is treated as a safeguarding matter and may be escalated immediately.