FC Riverside County
Community Guidelines

Our Community Guidelines are designed to help maintain a safe and friendly league environment. Our Community Guidelines are applicable before, during, and after program activities.

Zero Tolerance Policy

For our community’s safety, we have adopted a ZERO TOLERANCE POLICY. Our policy applies to players, parents, spectators, coaches, and referees. The following behavior is strictly prohibitive:

  1. Obscene or abusive language (including, but not limited to sarcasm, taunting, intimidation, etc.) towards anyone.
  2. Violent conduct (including pushing, fighting, outlandish fouls, etc.).
  3. Behavior that disrupts the peace in the community. We will not tolerate individuals that demonstrate a bad attitude. FC Riverside County is committed to providing our youth a positive environment that is free of negative influences.

FC Riverside County is committed to maintaining a positive environment. If a player, parent, or spectator breaches this Code of Conduct, an official (Coach, Referee, Front Desk Staff, Community Program Managers):

  1. May issue a verbal warning to both the offending party and the coach of the offending party’s team. Referees will not demonstrate yellow or red cards to coaches, parents, and spectators. Yellow and red cards will only be used on players (including subs).
  2. May request for games or practices to stop until the offending party leaves the facility.
  3. May stop all activities for the scheduled block time until the offending party leaves the facility.

FC Riverside County will impose fines on individuals that breach their agreement to this Code of Conduct.

Referee Assault

Assaulting a referee is a crime that could result in an arrest, fines, and monetary damages enforced in civil court. An assault is defined as the threat or attempt to inflict offensive physical contact or bodily harm on a person (as by lifting a fist in a threatening manner) that puts the person in immediate danger of or in the apprehension of such harm or contact. Assaulting a referee includes, but is not limited to elbowing, kicking, punching, choking, spitting on, grabbing onto, head butting, throwing or kicking an object at, and damaging the property (uniform, gear, vehicles, etc.) of a referee. NOTE: Referees are instructed not to display any cards to bench personnel. Cards are strictly reserved for players and substitutes.

Program Governance

The chain of command to manage complaints/protests shall be as follows: Parent, Coach, Head Coach, and Community Program Manager.

  1. FC Riverside County assigns one Community Program Manager per location. Our Community Program Managers are responsible for making tough decisions and enforcing our Community Guidelines. They represent and lead our local sports community. Community Program Managers are responsible for interpreting and enforcing rules. In addition, they have the option to introduce new rules they believe would benefit the community. FC Riverside County has entrusted our Community Managers to maintain peace and order in our community.
  2. Our Head Coach is responsible for the assembly of our coaching staff, creating our sports program curriculums, and enforcing our Community Guidelines. Our Head Coach reports to our Community Program Manager.
  3. Coaches are assigned to represent and lead teams (groups of players/participants). It is the ultimate responsibility of the coaches to provide referee support and spectator control. Coaches must report player and parent misconduct to Head Coaches. Coaches are responsible for enforcing the Community Guidelines. Our coaches report to our Head Coach.
  4. Parents/guardians are responsible for the behavior of their children. Parents/guardians are responsible for enforcing our Community Guidelines to their children. Parents may ONLY enforce the Community Guidelines to their children.
  5. Players are responsible for their actions. All players must follow our Community Guidelines.

Player Code of Conduct

Penalties are outlined in the rules of each league. Players failing to comply with our Player Code of Conduct may face sanctions and disciplinary actions.

Players participating in our Youth Program must:

  • Learn and practice the Player Code of Conduct.
  • Prioritize their education and career goals before sports.
  • Arrive prepared and on time for practices and games.
  • Practice and play to the best of their ability and never quit.
  • Maintain good physical condition by eating healthy and exercising daily.
  • Have a positive attitude and give positive encouragement to others.
  • Exemplify good sportsmanship (no boasting, taunting, etc.).
  • Be respectful to other players (teammates and opponents), parents, referees, coaches, and administration staff (front desk staff, Head Coach, Community Program Managers) and accept their decisions without protesting.
  • Follow directions and instructions given by their Coach, Head Coach, or Community Program Manager. Players may not leave a practice or game without permission.
  • Maintain a good reputation outside.

Parent Code of Conduct

There is no one better to lead a child than their own parent/guardian. Our Parent Code of Conduct is designed to help us provide a safe and fun environment for our students. Parents failing to comply with our Parent Code of Conduct may face sanctions and disciplinary actions. Parents must notify our administrative staff immediately if they cannot attend or will be tardy to a scheduled activity.

Parents must understand both the time and financial commitment required to participate in our Youth Program. Parents are responsible for maintaining a good standing with FC Riverside County. If a Player’s fees are not paid on time, they will not be able to participate in any scheduled activity.

Parents/Guardians must:

  • Learn and practice the Parent Code of Conduct.
  • Encourage and support their child during practices and games.
  • Be supportive to their child’s assigned Coach. Parents must never interfere with the duties and responsibilities of their child’s assigned Coach.
  • Have a positive attitude and give positive encouragement to others.
  • Exemplify good sportsmanship (no boasting, taunting, etc.).
  • Parents may not publicly express opposing views. Only provide feedback/complaints to their child’s assigned Coach and not to other parents (parents of teammates or opposing players) at a scheduled time.
  • Volunteer their time and talents whenever possible/needed.
  • Respect the decisions made by their child’s assigned Coach.
  • NEVER use drugs or alcohol before or during a practice or game.
  • Learn the basic rules of their respective sport.
  • Be responsible and accountable for your guests (spectators). Spectators are prohibited from distracting Coaches and Referees. Parents and spectators may attempt to stop the game out of safety or emergency issues (player injury, fighting, etc.).
  • Respect the decisions made by referees. Parents and spectators shall not dispute calls during or after a game or make negative remarks to referees (criticism, sarcasm, harassment, intimidation, etc.). Spectators that do not follow our Community Guidelines risk suspensions and expulsions.

Coach Code of Conduct

As role models for our students, Coaches are expected to behave professionally and always maintain a great attitude. Coaches are expected to be supportive, provide positive reinforcement, and champion their students. Coaches must always demonstrate respect for officials (referees and administrative staff).

FC Riverside County holds our Coaches to the highest standards. Coaches must adhere to and enforce our Community Guidelines to their players, parents, and spectators. Coaches that fail to perform their duties correctly risk creating unsafe environments. FC Riverside County will not tolerate Coaches that exhibit negative behavior including, but not limited to sarcasm, gestures, and ill-intentioned remarks towards others. Coaches that breach our Coach Code of Conduct will be subject to sanctions, suspensions, or terminations.

Coaches must:

  • Never leave an activity unless all students in their class have been picked up by their parents.
  • Learn and practice the Coach Code of Conduct.
  • Communicate team information in a timely manner to relevant stakeholders (parents, players, etc.).
  • Coaches must respond to correspondence in a timely manner (email, etc.).
  • Recruit and manage parent/family volunteers to help manage their teams.
  • Arrive prepared and on time for practices and games.
  • Prioritize their students' education and career goals before sports.
  • Encourage and support their students.
  • Exemplify good sportsmanship (no boasting, taunting, etc.).
  • Coach and perform their duties to the best of their ability.
  • Thoroughly learn the rules and laws of their respective sport.
  • Have a positive attitude and give positive encouragement to others.
  • Respect the decisions made by referees. Coaches shall not dispute calls during or after a game or make negative remarks to referees (criticism, sarcasm, harassment, intimidation, etc.).
  • Follow directions and instructions given by the Head Coach and their assigned Community Program Manager.
  • Not publicly express opposing views. Coaches may only provide feedback/complaints to the Head Coach and not with parents (parents of teammates or opposing players) at a scheduled time. Coaches may also provide feedback to their assigned Community Program Manager.
  • Be supportive to the Head Coach. Coaches must never interfere with the duties and responsibilities of the Head Coach.
  • Be responsible and accountable for their team. Participants (players, parents, and spectators) are prohibited from distracting Referees. Coaches may attempt to stop the game out of safety or emergency issues (player injury, fighting, etc.)
  • Volunteer their time and talents whenever possible/needed.
  • Only wear athletic clothing. Jeans are prohibited.
  • Maintain a good reputation in the community.
  • Learn how to referee. FC Riverside County encourages our Coaches to learn how to referee.
  • Continue developing their coaching skills. FC Riverside County encourages Coaches to sign up for training classes.
  • NEVER use drugs or alcohol before or during a practice or game.

FC Riverside County recognizes how important it is for an open line of communication to be available between a Referee and Coach. An open channel provides an opportunity for Coaches to improve their understanding of the game. All Coaches must:

  • Politely speak with Referees. Coaches are allowed to speak with Referees during halftime breaks and at the conclusion of games. Constructively communicate with the Referee. Attempting to embarrass a Referee may result in a Coach’s termination. No sarcasm, harassment, or intimidation is allowed.
  • Communicate clearly with Referees when substituting players.
  • Converse with a Referee if the referee initiates a conversation.
  • Inform the Referee if there is a safety or emergency issue on the field.
  • Serve as the representative for their players, parents, and spectators. Players, parents, and spectators are not allowed to engage with Referees for any reason.
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