CITY OF PORT ORANGE

PARKS AND RECREATION DEPARTMENT

PHILOSOPHY AND PARENT CODE OF CONDUCT PLEDGE

The goal of the City of Port Orange Parks and Recreation Department is to provide an enjoyable, exciting and satisfying recreational experience for as many of the children in our community as possible. Our rules are written to encourage participation and enjoyment by all. Developmental sports are to provide "successful" experiences through fundamental skill development vs. a "winning" only, singular philosophy. Skill development ultimately provides the tools for a more competitive winning focus or experience. To parents of participants, we direct you to refrain from criticizing or exhibiting frustrations toward opposing coaches, players, fans, and officials IN ANY WAY. This distraction will only have a negative impact on your child’s, as well as other children’s overall experience. However, we urge you to discuss any concerns you may have regarding the activity with the coach or league supervisor before or after the event in a courteous and respectful manner. Let’s work together to provide a positive experience for each and every player.

We hope that you will measure "success" not simply in terms of team victories, but also in the real enjoyment of playing an exciting sport and having a great time!

Below is the National Youth Sports Coaches Association (NYSCA) Parents’ Code of Ethics Pledge, which will be extremely important for your child, as well as other participants, to expect from their spectators and parents to realize a "successful experience" in sports. Please read the material below and indicate by your signature below that you will abide by this ethics pledge in order to make this an enjoyable experience for you and your child.

I hereby Pledge to provide positive support, care and encouragement for my child participating in youth sports by following this Parents’ Code of Ethics.

I will encourage good sportsmanship by demonstrating positive support for all players, coaches and officials at every game, practice or other youth sports event. I will place the emotional and physical well being of my child ahead of a personal desire to win. I will insist that my child play in a safe and healthy environment. I will support coaches and officials working with my child in order to encourage a positive and enjoyable experience for all. I will demand a sports environment for my child that is free of drugs and alcohol, and will refrain from their use at all youth sports events. I will remember that the game is for youth – not for adults I will do my very best to make youth sports fun for my child. I will ask my child to treat other players, coaches, fans, and officials with respect regardless of race, sex, creed or ability.