Code of Conduct

Tuesday, 22 November 2022

1
QGSSSA CODE OF CONDUCT

The QGSSSA was established in 1908 to serve our member schools by arranging sporting fixtures and
promoting a healthy approach to sporting activity for students. The Association encourages good
behaviour and sportsmanship on and off the sports field by following its Code of Conduct.

PURPOSE

The QGSSSA Code of Conduct outlines the standards in behaviour expected for all participants,
coaches, parents, and spectators as well as providing guidelines to safeguard Children and Young
People.

IN GENERAL

1. Undertake all competition in friendship and with fair play, upholding the spirit of the rules.
2. Acknowledge that competitive sport is for enjoyment and skill development, and winning is not
the focus of the activity.
3. Observe the different roles of a host school and a guest school.
4. Promote the fundamental philosophical differences between QGSSSA sport and professional
sport.

PARTICIPANTS

1. Adhere to the principles of fair play and always play by the rules, respecting the traditions of
the game and the spirit of the competition.
2. Maintain a high standard of conduct at all times, both on and off the field. Each and every
player should be an active example of good sportsmanship.
3. Appreciate the good sportsmanship and skills of opponents, and graciously accept any errors
made by fellow players.
4. Always display good temper and grace. Provide assistance to opponents, when applicable.
5. Respect the rights and dignity of every person including teammates, opponents, coaches and
officials and never engage in behaviour that abuses, provokes or harasses others.
6. Give congratulations, thanks and support, as appropriate, to captains and/or players of
opposing teams.
7. Obey the orders or instructions of the umpire, referee or designated official, and accept any
decision, however seemingly unfavourable, without question.
8. The use of drugs, to improve or maintain the performance of any individual player or group of
players is contrary to the philosophy of this Code.
9. Contribute to the team effort as well as to one’s personal performance.
10. Use barracking to encourage but never to hinder.
11. Always consider the safety and wellbeing of others participants before performance and results.
12. Care for equipment and facilities made available during competition and training.

2
13. Never engage in inappropriate conduct include the use of offensive language and gestures that
are demeaning to others.

PARENTS AND SPECTATORS

1. Encourage players to play by the rules and to show respect to coaches, officials and opponents
at all times.
2. Respect the rights and dignity of every person including players, coaches, officials, parents and
spectators; and never engage in behaviour that abuses, demeans, provokes or harasses others.
3. Understand that sport is designed to be fun and that participating for enjoyment and wellbeing
should always come before performances and results.
4. At all times act as a role model for others, displaying high standards of good sporting behaviour.
5. Support all efforts to remove verbal and physical derision from children’s sporting activities.
6. Recognise the value and importance of coaches. Support them in their decisions and never
coach from the sideline.
7. Participate in positive cheering that reinforces and encourages participants efforts.
8. Fundraising activities may only be conducted by the host school at their venue.
9. Never engage in inappropriate conduct including the use of offensive language, drinking or
smoking whilst at an association competition, event or training.

COACHES

1. Promote a safe and inclusive environment, in which every person is protected and free from
discrimination, harassment and abuse.
2. Accept the decisions of referees and umpires; this does not preclude rational clarification of
decisions in an appropriate way and at a subsequent time.
3. Follow the guidelines and rules set down by the association and governing body.
4. Under no circumstances is there to be manipulation of the General Competition Rules and By-
Laws for the various sports. Discourage time wasting and time-wasting actions, over-vigorous
play and deliberate use of unfair and/or unethical tactics.
5. Develop team respect for the ability of opponents as well as for the judgement of officials and
opposing coaches.
6. Remember the children need a coach they can respect. Be generous with your praise when it is
deserved and set a good example.
7. Always consider the safety and wellbeing of participants before performance and results and
follow the advise of a physician/medical officer in determining when an injured participant may
return to training and competition.
8. Ensure the equipment and facilities meet safety standards and are appropriate to the age and
abilities of every person.
9. Ensure Blue Card in current and coaching qualification are up to date and accredited by the
appropriate sporting body.
10. At all times act as a role model for others, displaying high standards of good sporting behaviour.

3
OFFICIALS

1. Promote a safe and inclusive environment, in which every person is protected and free of
discrimination, harassment and abuse.
2. Adhere to the laws of the game and the principles of fair play, ensuring that the spirit of
competition is respected by all players, coaches and officials.
3. Always ensure the safety and wellbeing of players above all else.
4. Maintain respectful and appropriate relationships with every person, especially to players.
5. Be impartial, consistent and transparent in your conduct and decision-making.
6. Avoid situations that may lead to or call into question conflict of interest.
7. Avoid engaging in verbal communication with coaches, officials, parents and spectators
during play except in instances of medical emergencies or to call out actus of unethical
behaviour.
8. At all times act as a role model for others, displaying high standards of good sporting
behaviour.
9. Never engage in inappropriate conduct include the use of offensive language.

SOCIAL MEDIA STATEMENT

QGSSSA recognises the increasing relevance and utilisation of social media. Therefore, this
statement details the expectations and guidelines for the responsible use of social media in order to
protect the interests and reputation of QGSSSA. Its context applies to all relevant associated parties
of QGSSSA.

Social media is collective term for websites and applications that enable users to create and share
content or to participate in social networking. Social media tools enable communication,
community-based input, interaction, content-sharing and collaboration, in real time (AIS, 2022).

The types of websites and applications that are considered social media for the purposed of the
Code include, but are not limited to:

• Social networks (e.g. Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, WeChat, etc)

• Media sharing networks (e.g. Instagram, TikTok, Snapchat, YouTube, Vimeo, etc)
• Instant Messaging (e.g. WhatsApp, Messenger, Telegraph, etc)
• Blogging and publishing networks (e.g. WordPress, Tumbler, Medium, etc)
• Podcasting platforms (e.g. Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, etc)
• Sporting team apps (e.g. TeamApp, Heja, etc)
• Discussion forums (e.g. Reddit, Quora, Digg, etc)
• Bookmarking and content curation networks (e.g. Pinterest, Flipboard, etc)
• Music sharing networks (e.g. Spotify, Soundclous, Last.fm, etc)
• Gaming networks (e.g. Discord, Twitch, etc)
• Social review networks (e.g. Yelp, Zomato, TripAdvisor, etc)
• Social shopping networks (e.g. Amazon, Etsy, etc)

4
 • Anonymous social networks (e.g. Whisper, etc)
• Sharing economy networks (e.g. Airbnb, Uber, Airtasker, etc)
• Online encyclopedias (e.g. Wikipedia)
• Online dating apps (e.g. Tinder, Hinge, Bumble, etc)
• Oher interest-based networks

Expectations
There are a number of guidelines that QGSSSA adhere to in the appropriate use of social media.
These include:
• Only persons authorised by QGSSSA are to speak on the association’s behalf.
• The polite and respectful use of social media at all times.
• No information is to be posted that may embarrass, cause harassment, or defame QGSSSA, its
board, staff or students.
• No misleading or inaccurate content is to be published concerning QGSSSA
• Social media should not be used for communicating confidential, personal or sensitive
information
• The trademark and copyright information and/or images of QGSSSA are to be respected
• There should be an awareness that not all persons have given photographic or media consent

Outcome
QGSSSA will continue to monitor the use of social media in regards to upholding the ethos of the
Association to ensure compliance with this statement.

VERSION CONTROL TABLE

VERSION
DATE EFFECTIVE APPROVED BY AMMENDMENT
CONTROL

1 August 2010 Executive Initial policy document

2 August 2014 Executive Unknown

3 November 2022 Executive Complete review of policy