New Brighton Little Lions Code of Conduct
In promoting the ethics, safety, and spirit of youth football and cheerleading, The New Brighton Little Lions has adopted this Code of Conduct. This code is binding upon all its participants: Board Members, Coaches, Players, Cheerleaders, Parents, Volunteers, and Spectators. Violation of this Code of Conduct will result in disciplinary action against any offender.
Unsportsmanlike Conduct
Unsportsmanlike conduct shall include the following: fighting, verbal abuse, bullying of a team member or dissent toward an official or opponent, racial or ethnic slurs, inappropriate comments or actions that may be construed as sexual harassment, profanity, obscene gestures, flagrant and violent fouls, taunting, “trash talk”, baiting, cheating, throwing or abusing equipment, physical intimidation or abuse of an official opponent, unauthorized leaving of a team bench area.
Social Media
Social media can be a great resource to keep the community involved, with that being said all Board Members, Coaches, players, cheerleaders and parents should refrain from any negative comments against the organization, Board Members, Coaches, officials, players, cheerleaders.
Board Members & Coaches
- Will show proper respect to all and be held to the highest standards of moral conduct and character both on and off the field
- Will not at any time push, shove, punch, kick, fight or be guilty of physical contact as an Aggressor upon any official, player, cheerleader, coach, or spectator
- Will not verbally abuse or threaten any official, coach, player or others
- Will not harass or bait any official, player, coach, cheerleader, spectator, or others
- Will not use use alcohol, or illegal narcotics in front of players/cheerleaders during practice, games or team sponsored events or be present during practices, games, team-sponsored events under the influence of alcohol or illegal narcotics. This rules applies any time a coach or board member is representing the New Brighton Little Lions.
- Will show the same respect that is due to all participants including: other coaches, players, cheerleaders, spectators and league officials
- Will not act in any way that is detrimental to themselves, their team, or the New Brighton Little Lions
- Will inform the Board of Directors of any rule violation by other Board Members, coaches, players, cheerleaders, managers, spectators or others. Board Members will document any observed violation with date and time of the incident
- In all dealings with team personnel - including coaches, other coaches, players, cheerleaders, spectators - Board Members and Coaches will show the same respect that is due all participants of this organization
Football Players and Cheerleaders
- Will show the proper respect to all and be held to the highest standards of moral conduct and character both on and off the field
- Will stay in the team-designated areas unless excused to leave by a coach, parent, or guardian
- Will not at any time push, shove, punch, kick, fight, bully or be guilty of physical contact as an aggressor upon any official, board member, coach, player, cheerleader, spectator or others
- Will not verbally abuse or threaten any official, board members, coach, player, cheerleader, spectator, or others
- Will not harass, bait or be guilty of objectionable demonstration or dissent at any Official’s or Coach’s decision
- Will not refuse to abide by an official’s or coach’s decision
- Will not disobey or attempt to circumvent rules and regulations or the intent thereof
- Will not use alcohol or illegal narcotics or act in any way that is detrimental to themselves, their team of the NBLL
Parents, Spectators, Volunteers and Others
- Will show proper respect to all
- Will not at any time push, shove, punch, kick, fight, or be guilty of physical contact as an Aggressor upon any official, board member, coach, player, cheerleader, or spectator
- Will not verbally abuse or threaten any official, board member, coach, player, cheerleader, spectator or others
- Will not harass or bait any official, board member, coach, player, cheerleader, spectator or others
- Will not directly contact or interfere with coaches or players during a game or practice
- Will not be in the coaching box, player’s area, practice area or on the game field/area prior to during, or at the conclusion of a game unless the Commissioner/President or Head Coach has given permission.
- Will not use alcohol or illegal narcotics in front of players/cheerleaders during practices, games or team sponsored events or be present during practices, games, team-sponsored events under the influence of alcohol or illegal narcotics
- Will not act in any way that is detrimental to themselves, their team, their community or the NBLL
Disciplinary Action
The Board of Directors shall have the power to impose any disciplinary action it deems necessary and appropriate for those who fail to abide by the New Brighton LIttle Lions By-Laws and Code of Conduct. DIsciplinary action can range from a written reprimand to being barred from participation or association within the New Brighton Little Lions Organization.
Anyone who does not abide by the above New Brighton Little Lions Code of Conduct and the By-Laws governing football and cheerleading can and will be asked to leave the game or event, may be barred from attending any other Little Lions sponsored games or events. The President, head football coaches and cheering sponsors of the New Brighton Little Lions have the power to ask anyone whom they deem to be in violation of the New Brighton LIttle Lions By-Laws or Code of Conduct to leave an event. Upon taking such action, said person must notify the President and/or Board of New Brighton Little Lions Organization.
Ejection and Suspension
- Any coach, player, cheerleader, parent, spectator, or anyone else - whether associated or not with the New Brighton Little Lions - who is ejected (removed) from a game or practice is automatically suspended from attending and/or participating in the next scheduled game or practices for a week. This rule in not subject to protest or review. (Removal from a game or practice shall be interpreted to include the playing/practice field and the spectator area)
- A second offense by the same person during the same season and/or during the following season will result in immediate suspension for the remained of the current year.
- A third offense by the same person will result in immediate lifetime suspension from participating or attending any Little Lions games and/or any activity sponsored by the New Brighton LIttle Lions
Unauthorized Personnel
Any unauthorized personnel who enter the playing area during, before, or after a game and causes a disruption will result in a $500 Fine and forfeiture of that game. The unauthorized person will be responsible for all fines.
PLEASE NOTE:
- While on suspension, the coach, player, cheerleader, parent or other may not attend any practices or games in which any New Brighton Little Lions team participates
- Those who receive suspensions must take the initiative to contact the Board to apply for reinstatement
- The Board of Directors shall reserve the right to impose any penalties or disciplinary actions it deems necessary and appropriate violations of the New Brighton Little Lions By-Laws and/or Code of Conduct
Fact Finding Hearing
Prior to any decision by the Board of Directors for disciplinary action for board members, coaches, players, cheerleaders, parents or spectators or others, a Fact Finding Hearing before a minimum of two thirds of the Board will be held behind closed doors by the Board of Directors, with notice given to all involved, via (1) telephone, (2) email, and/or U.S. Mail. Said hearing should take place within a reasonable amount of time of the alleged incident unless two thirds of the board members cannot be present. The board must then reschedule the next available date that the two thirds of the board will be present.
Hearing Process
- The President (or Vice President, if President is not available) shall run the hearing
- The President (or Vice President, if President is not available) shall read the charges brought against the accused
- The Board of DIrectors MAY then hear from both sides and/or witnesses in an orderly manner
- The Board of Directors shall then determine whether sufficient facts and/or evidence have been presented to warrant the holding of the hearing on some or all of such charges with the person violating the Code of Conduct
- The Board of Directors shall then judge whether or not the preponderance of the evidence presented in a hearing shows the accused to have committed the acts alleged
- The Board of Directors (by majority vote) shall then impose any disciplinary action it deems necessary and appropriate, and/or as specified in the By-Laws and Code of Conduct, if the accused is judged to have committed such act or acts as brought before the board
- If the accused does not appear at the hearing, the NBLL Board of Directors will render their decision and the accused person will be notified of the disciplinary action to be taken via telephone with a follow-up written notice via email or certified U.S. Mail
Complaints, Allegations, Grievances
Improper conduct should be reported to President, Head Football Coach, or Cheerleading Coordinator of the Little Lions within 24 hours of incident. Those who are found guilty of improper conduct will be subject to disciplinary action by the NBLL Board of Directors (see above). Complaints, allegations, or grievances should be brought to the immediate attention of the President and/or sitting Board Member of the New Brighton Little Lions who shall then do the following:
- Make note of complaint, allegation or grievance and date/time of incident and date/time of complaint, allegation, or grievance
- Notify within 24 hours date/time of complaint, allegation, or grievance, the President, (if not available, the Vice President) of the New Brighton LIttle Lions that a complaint, allegation, or grievance has been made
NOTE: If the NBLL Board finds that the President (if not available, then the Vice President) and/or the Head Football Coach or Cheerleading Coordinator did not act upon the complaint, allegation, or grievance in a timely manner, then the Board of Directors, at its discretion, may impose disciplinary action it deems appropriate
