As parents of soccer players, you are allowing us access to your child’s life. We want to make sure the environment we are creating in our club is enhanced by your presence. Below is a range of expectations that will benefit your child’s participation in our club.

Parent Expectations

Parents are not only supporters of their children, but are also role models whose actions reflect on and influence their player, team and club. LUFC parents are expected to:

• Remember the game is for the players, not for you
• Enable players to attend all possible team events such as practices, games and meetings
• Set an example of good and fair conduct and positive sportsmanship
• Allow the coach to direct practices and games
• Be your players biggest fan, regardless of the results
• Remember that your child’s soccer career is a long-term development process
• Contribute with meaningful and thoughtful communication
• Encourage your child to speak up and communicate with their coach and teammates
• Abide by the rules and policies of LUFC and your team

Parent Considerations of Players Development

Parents play a critical role in their child’s development and soccer can be used as a tool to enhance a childhood and instill life-long memories and lessons. LUFC encourages you to support your child in the game in a manner that supports the spirit of sportsmanship and respect. For the purpose of developing this club and becoming a leader in respect initiatives, LUFC would like you to consider the following:

• Be your child’s biggest supporter. Do not withdraw your love when your child performs below their standards
• Parents should not coach from the sidelines during matches or practices
• Refrain from criticizing your child or any child’s performance
• Do not criticize the coach. If you find yourself unhappy with the coach you should approach the coach to discuss the issue Support all players on your child’s team
• Respect and applaud the opposition players and coaches
• Do not humiliate, criticize, comment on opponents, their coaches or the referees

Player Independence & Responsibility

As parents, we encourage you to nurture independence and responsibility in your child.

• Make it your child’s responsibility to pack their own uniform and equipment in their soccer bag
• If appropriate, encourage your child to communicate directly with the coach about issues, concerns, conflicts or simply missing upcoming practices or games
• Players should be reminded to take responsibility for their own performance and not place blame on others
• Allow your child the freedom to practice with his or her team without your active presence or evaluation
• Responsibility and ownership is an important part of maturing. Your child’s handling of these tasks on and off the field complete ownership of all aspects of being a soccer player

Parent Sportsmanship Agreement

Your coach and club kindly ask for your cooperation in abiding by the rules and guidelines that all players, coaches, referees and spectators are required to follow. In order to provide a fun and positive environment for everyone, LUFC asks that you check the following agreement during registration:

• I will be positive
• I will express support and encouragement for my child and their teammates
• I will respect and support my child’s coach
• I understand that any coaching or instructions from the parents side of the field is not allowed
• I will let the coach do the coaching without my interference
• I will adhere to a 24-hour “cooling off” period before communicating with a coach
• I will respect the referees and refrain from criticizing their calls
• I will accept the referee’s decision no matter the result or how unfair or incorrect they may appear
• I will respect club officials
• I understand that soccer has rules, policies and guidelines. All decisions made by the club are made in good faith and are for the betterment of all players
• I will be a good sport
• I will teach my child good sportsmanship towards the opposing team and parents as well as respect for property owned by others or leased by the club
• I will recognize the importance and value of club volunteers
• Coaches, referees and club officials give their time and resources to provide a complete soccer experience for my child
• I will accept the consequences if I behave improperly. Consequences may include being removed from games by the referee, suspension from attending games and removal from the team and club.