Parents Code of Conduct

Mini Sports Stars FC Season 2026-2027

Parents Code Of Conduct

As a club, our job is to ensure each player reaches their highest level of potential and becomes the best they can be. We understand that this may involve new opportunities during the season and possibly joining a new team. As a club, we do not want to stop anyone from any prosperous opportunities that may arise, but we do ask for commitment to both mid-week training and Sunday matches.

Important:

Players that do not attend training will have less game at the weekend. (Sundays matches) The players will still receive their minimum of a half playing time but will have reduced minutes due to not being at training.

Training Sessions:

Mini Sports Stars aim to provide the highest quality of coaching sessions and ensure all players are developing at the quickest rate possible. To achieve this, there are expectations within the club. Our club policies are as follows:

Shin Pads & Boots

All players to wear shin pads to training. No player should be wearing football boots at training, and we ask for no slide tackles in training.

Punctuality

Training will take place once a week. Every minute of these training sessions is vital to ensure the players participate in all aspects of the training. Constant lateness will not only affect the individual, but will have a knock on effect to the rest of the team. Please ensure children arrive at least 10 minutes before the start of the session for a prompt start.

Parents to give no coaching points, or comment whilst the children are training.

It is important that all the coaching / instructions come from the manager/coach and not the parents. The players can be easily confused and overwhelmed when they are taking in lots of different instructions from parents – this does not help. Parents may encourage our players, but do not give any coaching points.

Positivity

When watching the team at training, it is vital that a positive playing environment is created. This is created through positive reinforcement and

encouragement. Any negative comments, aggressive shouting or inappropriate language will result in serious sanctions for the club to take.

Match Days

Although match days can be very exciting and emotions can get the better of you, there are still rules and expectations for the parents to follow. These consist of:

Shin Pads

Compulsory for all match days. Players without shin pads will not be permitted to play.

Helping set up pitches / take pitches down

At our home games, it is our responsibility to put: the nets on the goals; corner flags in the corners of the pitch and the respect rope one metre away from the pitch. If parents can help with this, it makes a big difference and is much appreciated as the coaches can then prepare the players for the game that is about to commence.

Punctuality

All details for match days will be sent out as far in advance as possible. It is your responsibility to adhere to this and ensure you at the venue 30 minutes before kick-off.

Turning up late may result in missing the warmup, therefore not being ready physically or mentally for the game. This can also affect the mangers starting selection, as players MUST be at the game on time.

Parents to give no coaching points, or comment whilst the children play matches.

This value is very important to the club. As a parent you might think from watching that something isn’t working, or by giving the players information you are helping them. Before each match, the team will be set up to play in a specific way and each player will receive instructions on their roles and responsibilities for the game. This should only come from the coach.

Positivity

All positive encouraging comments get behind the team! Please do not shout any negative comments towards the players. These players will already be feeling anxious and wanting to impress without extra added pressure from the parents on the side-lines. The children should be enjoying their football!

Respect the referee

There is a real shortage of referees in today’s game, and the number seems to be decreasing every season. Lots of new young referees can be put off after one bad game, due to parents shouting inappropriate comments. The club will not tolerate this. As parents, we have a responsibility to act as good

role models for the children and respect the referee’s mistakes.

Half Time Intervention from parents

At half time, this is where the coaches will give feedback on what they have seen during the game. We would appreciate it if the parents could stay on their side of the pitch behind the respect line and not give any additional information to the players. If something serious has happened or it is important to speak with your child, then please do. If there is something you have observed that keeps happening week in week out that you feel would be useful for the team to know, please mention it to the manager/coach after the game and we will look to address that point.

Respect Barrier

Parents are to stand on the opposite side of the football pitch to the manager. This is so the manager and players can fully focus on the game with fewer distractions around them. This is compulsory implemented by the FA to improve the standards of the game.

One half minimum playing time

Here at Mini Sports Stars, we believe that game time is the most essential part in a player’s development. So, as a club we have made it a minimum requirement that each player MUST play one half of football. For example, if the match is 2x 20-minute halves, the player would have to have had at least 20 minutes game time. All parents must respect the manager’s decision but know they are entitled to at least half a game every game.

Different Playing Positions

At this young age, we believe that all players should be playing in a variety of different positions. We do not believe at this age you are a defender, or a striker, and that you should learn the game in all positions. Playing in different positions allows you to learn the roles and responsibilities of each position and boost your overall knowledge of the game. In addition, naturally as the season goes on you will see that each player is more suited to a position, as each player will have different attributes and will be best suited to a specific position. We understand this but believe it’s important to rotate.

Yellow & Red Cards

Any yellow or red cards that your child attains will need to be paid. Yellow cards and red card fines vary from offence to offence.

Declaration:

I confirm that I will abide by the Mini Sports Stars parent Code Of conduct. I am aware that failure to do so may result in me not being able to attend future matches.