| THEME # 2: SPORTSMANSHIP, VIOLENT CONDUCT AND FOUL LANGUAGE |
| Wednesday, 12 March 2008 | |
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Norcal now has all of the contact information on-line enabling us to reach all 150 Clubs and it is fitting that one of the first messages using this system refers to sportsmanship. It has not yet been publicized, but the sportsmanship ratings for the Under 10 Norcal State Cup(s) – overall very high - gave the highest marks to the players; followed by the coaches; and the parents ranked the lowest. I imagine the cause of that was often one or two parents on a relatively few teams unable to control their emotions and making a spectacle of themselves. Norcal does not want to set up a huge bureaucracy to monitor sportsmanship, but we would like to know that the topic has been proactively discussed with every player, parent and coach. For this reason, we will be sending every team contact for every team that enters Spring League the attached letter. Furthermore, we have set up the sportsmanship email hotline This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it and will solicit comments about sportsmanship – good and bad, but hopefully much more good. Tony, our webmaster and software designer will soon begin work on a program designed to measure the overall quality of sportsmanship in Norcal. Norcal is aware that some Clubs have a “sportsmanship” program in place and we commend those Clubs. KEY IDEAS: 1. Every team proactively talks to players and parents about the importance of sportsmanship 2. Every Club talks to their coaches 3. Norcal will not be lenient with players that are guilty of violent conduct (fighting and aggressive talk) and this will be the only warning! 4. Most violent conduct in Spring, 2007 - U11 to U15 boys. 5. Foul and abusive language will not be tolerated and Norcal asks referees to “send off” players who violate Law 12, as it was very plainly and firmly written by the wise founders of football over 100 years ago. Dear Norcal Coaches and Managers, Please read this whole message and when you have had your “sportsmanship meeting(s)” with your team and parents, please notify Norcal at This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it . Please include your team name, age, gender and Norcal ID number. Norcal will send you a message that you have completed this essential step needed to be eligible for the 2008 Spring League. The Norcal Board of Directors has asked that all teams (coaches and managers) registered to play in the upcoming 2008 Norcal Spring League and all future events be sent an individual letter concerning sportsmanship on the part of players, coaches and parents. Most teams will also receive a call from an “events coordinator”. The Board knows from analyzing the data provided by the Norcal Referee Coordinator that the great majority of participants behave in a manner that brings respect and honor to themselves, their families, their team and Club – and to our wonderful sport! However, during the 2007 Spring League there was a “red card” issued for every 50 games – an average of 5 on every game day. Norcal knows that the great majority of these were issued in the boys’ games – a few to teams as young as 10 years old. The U11 to U15 were the most common ages to be carded for violent conduct. The cards were issued to teams and Clubs throughout the League with no one Club, team or coach having repeated violations of the unacceptable behavior. Most of the red cards were for violent play and/or conduct. Only a few were for violations of Law 12 for the use of foul and abusive language - although we know from parent and grandparent complaints that this type of violation has become far to common. It is important that all teams and Clubs have a pro-active policy in regards to unacceptable behavior. This will help protect the majority of players who obey the rules and bring honor to their team and Club. This pro-active stance should include the elimination of foul and abusive language from Norcal games and, hopefully, practices. It is well known that violence often follows foul and abusive language. It is not in keeping within the bounds of civilized behavior to have our young children and their families exposed to the most base aspects of human behavior. Within the past year, Norcal has suspended a team because of the extreme misbehavior by “some” of the team. The Norcal Board did not enjoy punishing young well-behaved players who had the misfortune to play with some very undisciplined teammates. Also, within the past months, Norcal has heard about a situation within another organization in which four mothers fought at midfield after a game. This “fight” should tell us all that every Club needs to take proactive actions and have “zero tolerance” for the breaking of rules that involve foul and abusive language - and the violence that often follows such offensive language. During the 2007 seasons there were also a small number of “age violations” – knowingly playing an older player. It is the consensus of the Norcal Board and all of the Clubs that this type of behavior cannot and should not be excused or tolerated. In the future, coaches and managers who knowingly play older players than allowed will be suspended from future Norcal competitions. Furthermore, the Club of those teams will be placed on automatic probation. Norcal believes it is important to focus most of our attention on the thousands of players, coaches and parents who abide by the rules and act in a respectful manner. During the next few months, you will be hearing about Norcal programs that recognize this outstanding behavior. Norcal appreciates any and all attention you pay to helping your team achieve the very highest level of sportsmanship. Sincerely, Benjamin Ziemer, NorCal League Manager for the Board of Directors |
