Apex Elite

Coaches Code of Conduct

This Code of Conduct was developed to ensure an environment that encourages good behavior, fair play, respect, and fun. Apex Elite requires all coaches to abide by a Code of Conduct, which includes the following provisions.

Coaches shall:
- Not smoke, vape, and/or use smokeless tobacco on the field.
- Not criticize players in front of spectators, but reserve constructive criticism for later, in private, or in the presence of team members if others might benefit.
- Accept decisions of the game officials on the field as being fair and called to the best ability of said officials.
- Not criticize an opposing team, its players, participants, coaches, or fans by word of mouth or by gesture.
- Emphasize that good athletes strive to be good students and that both are physically and mentally alert.
- Strive to make every sports activity serve as a training ground for life and a basis for good mental and physical health.
- Emphasize that winning is the result of good “teamwork.”
- Together with team officials, be jointly responsible for the conduct and control of team fans and spectators. - Any fan who becomes a nuisance and out of control will be asked to leave (see Adult Code of Conduct).
- Remember, as a team coach, you’re responsible for your team, and fan reaction will usually be in step with your reaction.
- Not use abusive or profane language at any time.
- Not “pile it on”, not encourage their teams to get a commanding lead and raise the score as high as it can. In these instances, every effort shall be made to let all players play.
- Not recommend or distribute any medication, controlled or over the counter, except as specifically prescribed by the participant’s physician and only with parental/guardian permission.
- Not permit an ineligible player to participate in a game.
- Not deliberately incite unsportsmanlike conduct.
- Abstain from the possession and drinking of alcoholic beverages and the possession or use of any illegal substances on both the game and practice fields.
- Remove from a game or practice any participant who is even slightly in doubt about his health, whether or not as a result of injury, until competent medical advice is available.
- Never knowingly jeopardize the eligibility and participation of the student athlete.
- Uphold all rules and regulations, national and local, regarding the sport in which you are participating.
- Not create and post to social media, and/or distribute video recordings that are considered to be negative or harassing. Including publishing negative or harassing remarks about AE in its entirety, Board Members, Coaches, Volunteers, or opponents.
If any of these rules are broken, AE shall have the authority to impose a penalty.
- Penalties will be determined by the AE board under which the person is coaching.
- Penalties can include the coach being permanently removed (banned) from coaching/participating in that sport.
- Any coach who has been banned from coaching/participating in an AE sport will not be allowed to coach/participate in any other AE sport.

Parent/Adult Code of Conduct

This Code of Conduct was developed to ensure an environment that encourages good behavior, fair play, respect, and fun. Apex Elite “AE” requires all parents/adults to support and actively practice this Code of Conduct.

Parents / Adults shall:
- Be a positive role model for all participants and encourage sportsmanship by showing respect and courtesy and by demonstrating positive support for all players, coaches, officials, volunteers, and spectators at every game, practice, or other sporting event.
- Not criticize players/cheerleaders/coaches/volunteers in front of spectators or other participants, but reserve constructive criticism for later, in private.
- Not use abusive or profane language and/or gestures at any time.
- Accept decisions of the game officials and competition judges as being fair and called to the best ability of the officials.
- Not criticize an opposing team, its players, coaches, cheerleaders, or fans by word of mouth or by gesture.
- Not incite unsportsmanlike conduct.
- Learn the rules of the game and the policies of the league.
- Refrain from coaching my child(ren) or other players during games and practices unless you are one of the official coaches of the team.
- Abstain from the possession and drinking of alcoholic beverages and the possession or use of any illegal substance on any field or in any facility used by our participants.
- Not smoke, vape, and/or use smokeless tobacco on any field or in any facility used by our participants.
- Follow all county posted rules and regulations.

Failure to abide by the aforementioned rules and guidelines will be subject to disciplinary action that could include but is not limited to the following:

- Verbal warning by official, head coach, and/or head of league organization
- Ejection from the AE event.
- He or she may receive a written warning regarding their behavior.
- His or her child(ren) may be removed from the AE event.

If the game/activity has completed at the time of the infraction, the parent/adult will be suspended for the next upcoming game/activity.

The parent/adult will be suspended until reinstated by the AE board via a hearing to take place prior to the next scheduled game/activity, and only with the approval of the AE board. Depending on the severity of the infraction, the sports board has the option to suspend the parent and his or her child(ren) for multiple games/activities.

Any adult that commits a second similar offense will be banned from AE events for the remainder of that season, and their child(ren) may be removed from the AE sport for the remainder of that season. If the child(ren) is/are removed, Apex Elite will refund registration monies based on the AE refund policy.

The parent/adult will be suspended until reinstated by the AE board via a hearing to take place prior to the next season and only with the approval of the AE board.

Any adult who threatens or physically assaults an official, coach, or AE volunteer will be banned from all AE sports/activities, and their child(ren) may be removed from the AE program for one year from the date of the offense. The child(ren) may not participate in any AE-sponsored sport during the sanction period. After one year, the parent may apply for reinstatement. If the adult commits a second offense, he or she will be permanently banned from AE, and the child(ren) may be permanently removed from participating in any AE sports/activities.

The term physical assault includes, but is not limited to, hitting, slapping, pushing, spitting, kicking, or striking in any way with any part of the body or any physical implement.

- Game forfeit through the Official/Coach or League Administrator
- Penalties may be imposed across sports/activities.
- Written documentation of all incidents will be kept on file by the organizations involved.

As part of our commitment to fostering a positive and respectful environment, we have established the following social media policy for all participants. By engaging with our platforms, you agree to adhere to these guidelines:

Responsibility for Online Content:
You are responsible for the content you post online. Ensure that your contributions reflect positively on yourself and the Apex Elite community.

Respectful Engagement:
Treat others with respect and courtesy. Avoid posting content that is offensive, discriminatory, or harmful to others.

Legal Liability:
Understand that you are legally responsible for anything you write or present online. Be aware that anyone can be sued for commentary, content, videos, or images that are defamatory. Ensure that your content complies with all applicable laws and regulations.

Privacy and Confidentiality:
Respect the privacy of others. Do not share personal information or confidential details without consent.

Positive Representation:
Represent Apex Elite positively. Avoid content that could harm the reputation of our organization or its members.

Accurate and Knowledgeable Posting:
Post content that is accurate and well-informed. Avoid spreading misinformation. Do not cite or reference anyone without their explicit approval.

Representation of Apex Elite:
No one is authorized to speak on behalf of Apex Elite or represent themselves as such without official permission.

Privacy and Consent:
Never identify players, parents, league members, or officers by name without their consent.

Safety and Legal Compliance:
Understand that any threats, potential threats of violence, online bullying, or any other criminal acts will be forwarded to law enforcement and may result in the revocation of Apex Elite membership.