• Be a good sport. Respect all good performances whether from your Centre or the opponents and shake hands with and thank the opposing athletes and officials after the event – win, lose or draw.

• Participate for your own enjoyment and benefit.

• Always respect the official’s decision.

• Never become involved in acts of foul play.

• Honour both the spirit and intention of the competition rules and live up the highest ideals of ethics and sportsmanship. Avoid gamesmanship and respect the traditions of the sport.

• Never engage in disrespectful conduct of any sort including profanity, sledging, obscene gestures, offensive remarks, trash-talking, taunting or other actions that are demeaning to other athletes, officials or supporters.

• Care for and respect the facilities and equipment made available to you during training and competition.

• Safeguard your health. Don’t use any illegal or unhealthy substances.

• Recognise that officials and coaches are volunteers who give up their time to provide their

  services. Treat them with the utmost respect.

• Do not bet or otherwise financially speculate, directly or indirectly, on the outcome or any other aspect of a Little Athletics event or competition in which you are involved. 

COACH

• Actively discourage foul play and/or unsportsmanlike behaviour by athletes.

• Seek to maximise the participation and enjoyment of all athletes regardless of ability; avoid the

  tendency to over-use a talented athlete; treat all athletes as equals, regardless of their talent.

• Show concern and caution towards all sick and injured athletes. Follow the advice of a physician and/or sports trainer to the letter when determining when an injured athlete is ready to recommence training or competition.

• Teach athletes that an honest effort and competing to the best of their ability is as important as victory.

• Maintain a thorough knowledge of the rules of competition and keep abreast of current coaching methods. Maintain or improve your current accreditation level.

• Always consider the health, safety and welfare of the athletes.

• Teach young athletes to realise that there is a big gap between their ability and the professional

  athlete. Do not coach them as if they are professionals.

• Ensure that your coaching reflects the level of the competition being involved with and don’t be a ‘winner at all costs’ coach.

• As coach, conduct yourself at all times, and in all situations, in a manner that shows leadership, respect for the sport of Little Athletics and respect for all those that are involved in the sport – athletes, officials, spectators, parents and the media.