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Parents, coaches and administrators all have an important role to play in promoting good practice in children’s sport.
They should have, as their first priority, the children’s safety and enjoyment of the sport.
Fair play is the guiding principle of the FAI.
Children are encouraged to:
• Do their best put in their best effort.
• Improve and develop their skills.
• Make friends.
• Play by the rules.
• Appreciate/accept everyone in the group, regardless of ability, race, religion, gender etc.
Parents / guardians play an important role in promoting children’s happiness and success in football and sport in general.
Parental expectations and behaviour have a significant bearing on children’s attitude and behaviour while participating in football.
Parents / guardians need to be aware of why children want to play football. Children want to learn new skills, make new
friends, be part of a group, to win and be successful, experience challenges, excitement and action.
While winning is important, it must be remembered that winning at all costs does not meet the needs of players.
Results are not necessarily a good indicator of coaching effectiveness or ability, the improvement level of players and
their level of enjoyment is.
Support and encouragement from parents / guardians will contribute to children having:• A sense of personal achievement.
• An enjoyment of soccer.
• Improved physical fitness.
• Higher self esteem.
• A greater level of skill.
• Improved social skills
It is important to:
• Encourage but not force children to be active.
• Know when he / she is ready to play.
• Encourage healthy lifestyle habits.
• Attend training and games where possible.
• Promote and teach
FAIR PLAY
• Teach your child to treat referees, other players, coaches, officials and spectators with respect regardless of race, creed, colour, sex or ability.
• Help children to set realistic targets.
• Help children with decision making.
Parents/Guardians should not:
• Ignore or dismiss complaints or concerns expressed by a child which relate to his/her involvement in soccer.
• Ridicule or shout at a child for losing a game or making a mistake.
• Treat any club as a child minding service.
• Take safety for granted.
• Put undue pressure on any child to please or perform well.
Parents / Guardians should never:
• Insult players or club personnel.
• Argue with, or shout abuse at officials and they should actively discourage children or young players from doing likewise.
• Suggest or encourage cheating, aggressive or "dirty" play.
• Placing undue or inappropriate criticism on a player, causing the player unnecessary or unhealthy levels of stress.
• Behave with physical or verbal aggression towards another person (actually use force or threaten the use of force).
• Engage in any "harassment" type of behaviour.
In promoting “Football for Fun” everyone involved in the organisation of football should:
• Encourage participation and fun.
• Promote the development of skills as opposed to winning at all costs.
• Emphasise and praise effort.
• Act as a good role model.
• Insist on Fair Play
• Be realistic with expectations.
• Be aware of children’s feelings.
• Teach players to respect different cultures
