Introduction:
As a parent, part of enjoying our children’s participation in sport and recreation is watching them enjoy themselves, learn skills, making friends, improving their performance and generally having fun. But some parents get too caught up in the excitement of the action. They forget the sport or recreation activity is for their child’s benefit, not the parents’ entertainment. This Parent Contract provides us with information on what to watch for in our performance as a parent, so that our children can continue to have fun and play his or her own game.
 
Everyone has heard of or worse yet seen the loud obnoxious parent on the sidelines during a children’s sport or recreation activity. Whether the incident takes place at a gym, rink or field is irrelevant. This parent has it in for the referee, the coach, and possibly even the other parents. Every call, decision and play evokes some response from the “repulsive” parent. Most parents are not like this. But one or a few parents can make a difference. They affect the ability of the coaches and officials to do their jobs. They embarrass children, steal their fun and maybe, without realizing it, train children to act overly aggressively and violently. In short, unruly parents are not setting a good example. And most children learn from example. Whether it’s by their friends, team mates or parents, those around them have a tremendous influence on their behavior. That’s why it’s important for parents and other adults to act appropriately at all A.B.A. Celtics events, practices, games and tournaments.
 
Many sport and recreation activity programs have developed measures to ensure the sport and recreation environment is a healthy and respectful one. One of these is the Player/Parent Contract, a simple agreement that is increasing in popularity in many sports organizations and recreation activities.
 
The Player/Parent Contract lays out the acceptable rules of behavior of a player and a parent in relation to the player’s sport or recreation activity. The A.B.A. Celtics will be distributing this Player/Parent Contract at the beginning of each season and encouraging our executive, coordinators, coaches and parents to distribute it fully. In certain circumstances, we will require the Player/Parent contract to be signed by the Player and the Parent and filed with the Club.
 
By agreeing to this code of conduct, parents are acknowledging that their child’s activity is for his or her enjoyment, not theirs. It is the expectation of the A.B.A. Celtics that each parent lives by the contract and models it for their children and others. Should a parent deliberately ignore their responsibilities as outlined in this agreement, disciplinary action, such as asking the parent to leave the event or banning the parent from attending future games, practices or tournaments, may be imposed. In extreme circumstances the executive of the ABA Celtics Basketball Club shall as a result of a parent deliberately ignoring their responsibilities as outlined in this Agreement, terminate a player’s registration with the ABA Celtics Basketball Club and with the Metro Basketball League.
 

 ABA CELTICS

 
As a parent of a player playing for the ABA Celtics, I will actively encourage and support the following Fair Play principles at all times and I shall:
1.         Not force my child to participate in sports.
2.         Pledge to actively monitor my child’s academic progress and reinforce the importance of academic achievement.
3.         Remember that my child plays sport for his or her enjoyment, not for mine.
4.         Learn the rules of the game and the policies of the ABA Celtics, Metro Basketball Association and Basketball Nova Scotia.
5.         Teach my child to play by the rules and to resolve conflicts without resorting to hostility or violence.
6.         Inform the coach of any disability or ailment that may affect the safety of my child or the safety of others.
7.         Avoid leading my child to early specialization understanding that yearlong play in one sport can result in potential burnout.
8.         Demand that my child treat other players, coaches, officials and spectators with respect regardless of race, creed, color, sex or ability.
9.         Make my child feel like a winner every time by offering praise for competing fairly and trying hard.
10.       Never ridicule or yell at my child for making a mistake or losing a competition and acknowledge that every player must try new things in games and practices and that they will make mistakes.
11.       Remember that children learn best by example. I will applaud good players performances by both my child’s team and their opponents.
12.       Support all efforts to remove verbal and physical abuse from children’s sporting activities.
13.       Teach my child that doing one’s best is more important than winning, so that my child will never feel defeated by the outcome of a game or his/her performance.
14.       Respect and show appreciation for the volunteer coaches who give their time to provide sport activities for my child, understanding that I have a responsibility to be a part of my child’s development.
15.       Be a positive role model for my child and encourage sportsmanship by showing respect and courtesy and by demonstrating positive support for all players, coaches, officials and spectators at every game, practice or other sporting event.
16.       Not engage in any kind of unsportsmanlike conduct with any official, coach, player or parent such as booing and taunting; refusing to shake hands or using profane language or gestures.
17.       Not encourage any behaviors or practices that would endanger the health and wellbeing of the athletes.
18.       Emphasize skill development and practices and how they benefit my child over winning.
19.       Stress the importance of a lifetime of health, including habits of fitness and good nutrition ahead of any personal desire I may have for my child to win.
20.       Stress the importance of academics first and foremost in the overall development experience, understanding that sports participation is a privilege available to support, not excuse classroom obligations.
21.       Attend organizational meetings at the outset of sports seasons to meet coaches and organization officials and learn the expectations for participation in athletics.