BC School Sports Coaching Code of Ethics

412.0     COACHES CODE OF ETHICS

 The coach/student-athlete relationship is a privileged one. Coaches play a critical role in the personal and athletic development of their student-athletes. Therefore, coaches are expected to model the fundamentally positive aspects of school sport. Coaches, including community coaches, are expected to uphold the following standards:

412.1  Recognize that school sport is an extension of the classroom, and shall conduct themselves accordingly when performing coaching duties;

412.2  Observe the Bylaws and Policies of BCSS and those of their local athletic association;

412.3  Observe the rules of the sport, the spirit of the rules of the sport, and shall encourage student-athletes to do the same;

412.4  Fulfil all competition, invitational, playoff and championship competitive and event obligations;

412.5  Treat all participants fairly regardless of gender, race, sexual orientation, religion, physical or mental abiliites, polictal belief or economic status;

412.6  Respect the rulings of officials without gesture or argument, and shall require student-athletes to do the same;

412.7 Shall not use foul, profane, harassing or offensive language or gestures in the conduct of coaching duties;

412.8  Shall not use the media, social media or networking forums to criticize or threaten student-athletes, coaches, officials, school teams, specatators or BCSS;

412.9  Shall not use physical force of any kind in the conduct of coaching duties;

412.10 Shall not, under any circumstances, endorse, recommend, or suggest the use of performance-enhancing drugs or supplements by any student-athlete;

412.11 Shall not use tobacco products and alcohol while in the presence of student-athletes, and shall discourage their use by student-athletes;

412.12  Shall not, under any circumstances, require or imply that a student-athlete must be involved in any summer program or club program as part of his/her responsibilities as a school team member;

412.13  Shall not, under any circumstances, require or imply that a student-athlete cannot or should not participate in any BCSS-approved sport in the season preceding or following the coach’s season of play;

412.14 Shall not, under any circumstances, start pre-season tryouts or practices to the detriment of any in-season sport.