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Players Code of Conduct
PLAYERS CODE OF CONDUCT
1. Play by the rules at all times.
2. Play to win. For Portlaoise AFC players, winning is the object of playing every game. Never set out to lose. If you do not play to win, you are cheating yourself, your team-mates and your opponents. Never give up against stronger opponents but never relent against weaker ones.
3. Play fair. Winning is meaningless if the victory has been achieved dishonestly. Playing fair requires courage and character. Playing fair earns you respect.
4. Never argue with an official. If you disagree, your captain, coach or manager will approach the official during a break or after the game. Fair play means respect. Every person on the pitch makes mistakes in every game, including the referee and his/her assistants. Understand that and respect the job they do.
5. Control your temper. Verbal abuse of officials and sledging other players, deliberately distracting or provoking an opponent or a team mate, are not acceptable or permitted behaviours.
6. Be honest with the coach concerning illness and injury and ability to train and compete to the best of your ability.
7. Work equally hard for yourself and your team. Your team's performance will benefit, so will you. A professional appearance relating to language, manner, temper and punctuality is to be adopted at all times.
8. Be a good sport. Applaud all good plays whether they are made by your team, or the opposition.
9. Accept defeat with dignity. Nobody wins all the time. Learn to lose graciously. Don't seek excuses for defeat, genuine reasons will always be self-evident. Congratulate the winners with good grace. Don't blame the referee or anyone else. Good losers earn more respect than bad winners.
10. Promote the interests of football and of Portlaoise AFC. Think of the Club's interests before your own. Think how your actions may affect the image of the Club. Talk about the positive things in the Club. Be an ambassador for the Club.
11. Treat all participants as you like to be treated. Do not bully or take unfair advantage of another competitor. Reject corruption, drugs, racism, violence and other dangers to our sport. Watch out for attempts to tempt you into cheating or using drugs. Drugs have no place in Portlaoise AFC, in football, or in our society. Say no to drugs.
12. Co-operate with your coach, team-mates and opponents. Without them there would be no competition. They have the same rights as you have, including the right to be respected.
13. Respect the rights, dignity and worth of all participants regardless of their gender, ability, cultural background or religion.
Executive Committee - September 2008