Sportsmanship, Teamwork, Integrity, and Conduct in Sports (STICS) Program

The Mantua Township Soccer Association has always been committed to the philosophy and ideals of the game of soccer.  Our philosophy is very simple…

To introduce, develop, and positively promote the game of soccer to our children, by teaching and encouraging good sportsmanship, hard work, integrity, teamwork, and fair play.

The lessons learned through the honorable participation in sports, will help our children to flourish and excel in the many endeavors they will pursue throughout their lives.  As the adult members of the MTSA, it is our responsibility to provide our players with an environment, in which to learn and grow, both as soccer players and contributing members of our community.

This positive environment surrounding Mantua Township Soccer must be fostered by the actions, attitudes, and behaviors displayed by all members of MTSA including, but not limited to, the Board, Coaches, Players and Parents.  The South Jersey Soccer League (SJSL) , South Jersey Girls Soccer League (SJGSL), and the Gloucester County Soccer League (GCSL) encourage and require good sportsmanship and proper conduct from all participating soccer clubs.  A “zero tolerance” policy for poor sportsmanship and conduct by coaches, parents and spectators has been established for all MTSA, SJSL, SJGSL, and GCSL events.

To ensure that the MTSA Soccer Philosophy is promoted and encouraged by all, the MTSA has instituted the Sportsmanship, Teamwork, Integrity, and Conduct in Sports (STICS) Program.

The purpose of this program is to improve the environment of sportsmanship for our coaches, players, and fans. The STICS Program consists of the following components: Organization, Education, Regulation, Investigation, Discipline, and Acknowledgment.

Although this program is regimented and creates rules for the players’ behavior, we must not forget that soccer should be fun.  Our mission is to inspire and nurture our children’s love and appreciation for the game of soccer.

We should measure our success not by wins and losses, but by our children’s love of the game.

Mantua Twp Soccer Association (MTSA) STICS Program

            I.     Organization

The Organization of the Sportsmanship, Teamwork, Integrity, and Conduct in Sports (STICS) Program shall assure the proper implementation of the program and the linear dissemination of information and disciplinary actions.

a.     The MTSA Board will appoint a STICS Program Director. The director will:

                                                    i.     Introduce the STICS Program at a mandatory coach's meeting and a separate mandatory parents and players meeting

                                                  ii.     Record and maintain the names of each team’s STICS coordinator(See § I,b)

                                                iii.     Disseminate educational information to STICS coordinators

                                                iv.     Monitor games to assure adherence to the STICS program

                                                  v.     Review all STICS reports

                                                vi.     Submit a monthly review to the MTSA Board

                                              vii.     Recommend disciplinary action in response to STICS violations

                                            viii.     Enforce penalties levied by the Board

b.     Each coach shall appoint a STICS Coordinator for their team. The coordinator can not be a coach or player.  The coordinator’s responsibility, working in concert with the coaching staff, will be to help create and foster a better sense of soccer sportsmanship by the following:

                                                    i.     Educate the team about the meaning of sportsmanship and integrity and the purpose of the STICS Program

                                                  ii.     Enforce good sportsmanship and conduct before, during and after games

                                                iii.     Report game day activities to the STICS Director

                                                iv.     Recommend action against individuals displaying poor sportsmanship and ensure additional training/education about sportsmanship

          II.     Education

Education and sharing of information is the most important part of this program. Coaches, players and parents need to understand that everywhere they go, they represent the Mantua Township Soccer Association and the impression they give to others, including; referees, SJSL Officials, SJGSL Officials, GCSL Officials, spectators, opposing coaches and other players, is a reflection on all of us at MTSA.  Our actions and behaviors not only affect our participation in games but also affect other MTSA teams as they travel and compete throughout the regional soccer community.  The following educational activities will be conducted:

a.     Each coach will hold a mandatory team meeting, at which time the coach will identify the team’s STICS coordinator.  During the meeting, the coordinator will discuss the reason for and purpose of the STICS Program and disseminate the appropriate information.

b.     Each coach’s meeting will include a status of the STICS Program and discussion of one or more principles of sportsmanship.

c.     Each STICS Coordinator, Coach, Player, and Parent will receive a copy of the STICS Program along with a STICS Pledge.  The STICS Pledge is an agreement for all members of MTSA to abide by the rules and regulations set forth by MTSA, including but not limited to the STICS Program.  This agreement/pledge must be signed and kept on file by the STICS Program Director.

d.     Each COACH will receive a letter that provides the following information

                                                    i.     Their responsibilities as a MTSA coach (see MTSA By Laws)

                                                  ii.     Reminders of MTSA’s policy on appropriate behavior at all times

                                                iii.     Descriptions of inappropriate behavior and subsequent penalties

                                                iv.     Requirements for discussing sportsmanship with players (curriculum)

                                                  v.     Recommendations for improving sportsmanship on their team

e.     Each PARENT shall receive a letter that will:

                                                    i.     Explain the program and why it is an important part of the MTSA Soccer Philosophy

                                                  ii.     Request their full support

                                                iii.     Request they emphasize good sportsmanship and fair play to their children

                                                iv.     Provide a copy of the parent's code and player's code

                                                  v.     Describe inappropriate spectator behavior and possible penalties

f.      Each STICS COORDINATOR shall receive a letter that will:

                                                    i.     Thank them for their support of MTSA’s goals and offer them the full support of the MTSA Board and Coaches

                                                  ii.     Outline their responsibilities

                                                iii.     Provide them with copies of all correspondence

        III.     Regulation – Reporting and Documentation

Each team’s STICS coordinator (or appropriate designee) will complete a game report for every competitive game played by the team, before, during, or after which an incident (warning/cards/complaints) has occurred.  This includes league games, tournaments, State Cup games, etc.  A game report should include as much of the following information as possible;  Date/Time of Incident, MTSA Team, Opposing Team, Name(s) of Individual(s) involved, Name of Referee, Witnesses, and a brief description of incident.

a.     In the event that a player or coach receives a yellow card, the STICS Coordinator will submit to the STICS Program Director via mail or email the full-page game report (Addendum A), identifying the player or coach and the circumstances of the card.

b.     In the event that a player or coach receives a red card or there is some other incident that may reflect negatively on the team or the club, the STICS Coordinator must call the Director within 24 hours of the game. The call will be followed up by a written account of the infraction.

- It is important that the Director receives this information within 24 hours so that an investigation can be completed and appropriate actions taken in a timely manner.

- Game reports may be submitted by any individual (opposing coaches, parents, spectators, etc.) present at the time of the incident.

       IV.     Investigation

Upon receiving a report of an incident of unsportsmanlike behavior, the STICS Director will contact the appropriate persons (coaches, spectators, etc.) to discuss the incident and determine appropriate action to be taken. This proposed action will be relayed to the club president and the appropriate league coordinator. Upon approval, the actions will be presented to the affected individuals in writing. The Director will also follow up to ensure that the imposed discipline was fulfilled. All violations and resolutions will be reported to the appropriate league officials.

The STICS Director will submit a monthly report to the Executive Board, summarizing the violations of the STICS Program, actions taken to resolve them, and any issues that need to be presented before the board.

         V.     Discipline

An integral part of this program is discipline of coaches, players, parents and spectators for acts that are considered unsportsmanlike.  With aggressive play, comes a certain number of warnings/cards awarded to players. The penalties outlined below for players take this fact into consideration. Continued carding of one player for aggressive play or other unsportsmanlike conduct cannot continue and has to be dealt with by the coach and parents.  However, there is no tolerance for unsportsmanlike behavior by coaches, parents or other spectators. The penalties discussed below reflect this philosophy.

a.     COACHES - MTSA has a “zero tolerance” policy for inappropriate behavior. Any card resulting from unsportsmanlike behavior is unacceptable, and may result in one or more of the following penalties:

                                                    i.     Yellow card for unsportsmanlike behavior or poor referee rating:

1.     Coach must pay league fine

2.     One-game suspension; and/or

3.     Probation for the remainder of the season

                                                  ii.     2 yellow cards in a season or any red card:

1.     Coach must pay league fine; and

2.     Two-game suspension

- Penalty may be increased depending on severity of infraction and other factors.  All other club rules regarding suspensions/expulsions still apply.

b.     PLAYERS - We understand that warnings/cards do occur as a result of aggressive play.  But, continued carding of one player for aggressive play or other unsportsmanlike conduct cannot continue and must be dealt with by the coach and parents. Players will be subject to the following penalties:

                                                    i.     A warning for rough play or 1st yellow card:

1.     Requires a meeting with coach and parent before the next game. Coach will reemphasize fair play, sportsmanship, and penalty if it happens again.

                                                  ii.     3rd  yellow card in a season:

1.     one-game suspension; and

2.     one-week suspension from practicing with team

                                                iii.     Subsequent yellow cards in a season or any red card:

1.     one-game suspension; and

2.     one-week suspension from practicing with team

- Penalty may be increased depending on severity of infraction and other factors.  All other club rules regarding suspensions/expulsions still apply.

c.     PARENTS/SPECTATORS - MTSA has a zero tolerance for inappropriate behavior. Behavior that causes a coach to receive a card is unacceptable, and may result in one or more of the following penalties:

                                                    i.     Warning

1.     Meeting with Head Coach, STICS team coordinator, and/or MTSA Board/VPPD to re-emphasize appropriate behavior

                                                  ii.     Yellow card or poor referee rating

1.     one-game suspension for the parent or coach

                                                iii.     2 yellow cards in a season or any red card is:

1.     two-game suspension for parent; and

2.     one-game and one-week practice suspension for player; and

3.    Parent pays all league fines assessed to the team and/or coach

-      Penalty may be increased depending on severity of infraction and other factors.  All other club rules regarding suspensions/expulsions still apply.

-      While the penalties outlined above reference official warnings and cards from referees, any un-carded incident that is considered to be inappropriate will be handled with equal harshness. These are program guidelines, the STICS Director and the MTSA Board reserve the right to adjust the penalties as appropriate.

       VI.     Acknowledgement

Each year, as recommended by the STICS Program Director, STICS Coordinators and the Coaches, the MTSA Board will acknowledge one team and one player from each team for their outstanding dedication to the STICS Program.  These awards will be presented by the President of the MTSA and these players will be recognized as exemplifying the philosophy and ideals of MTSA.

Approved by the MTSA Board

On this 5th day of December, 2006

Anthony Groch, President

Tom Taylor, Vice President

Dave McNamara, VP Player Development – Boys

Ken McCann, VP Player Development – Girls

Kristin Pawlowski – VP In-House U5/U6/U7

Frank Pitt – VP In-House U8/U9

Dennis Manieri – Treasurer

Sandy Grexa – Secretary

Joe Pawlowski – Field Commissioner

Calvin Watson – Stand Manager

**The STICS Program has been created by the MTSA to adhere to the general principles, rules and regulations of the leagues, in which we, as members of MTSA, participate.  The MTSA STICS Program rules, regulations, fines and/or suspensions can be levied in addition to the same imposed by the SJSL, SJGSL, or GCSL.

**All suspensions may be appealed, as described in the MTSA By-Laws.

Updated: 12/18/2006

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