Saints Wrestling Participant Expectations

The essential elements of character-building and ethics in sports are embodied in the concept of sportsmanship and the following principles: respect, trustworthiness, fairness, caring, responsibility and good citizenship. The highest potential of sports is achieved when competition reflects these pillars of character.  The following sections provide the participant expectations and codes of conduct that must be adhered to and upheld for all members of the Saint Peter Youth Wrestling Club.

Saint Peter Youth Wrestling Character and Code of Conduct

Saint Peter Youth Wrestling Club is dedicated to increasing awareness and participation of wrestling in St. Peter, Minnesota. We focus on developing and promoting an understanding and appreciation of wrestling for youth and their parents. Children's sports are supposed to be fun – for the children. Unfortunately, in some cases, parents, fans, and coaches do not realize that their actions, whether verbal or nonverbal can have a lasting emotional effect on children.  Too many children are leaving sports activities because the fun is unfairly taken away by adults. The Saint Peter Youth Wrestling Club, rewards your child's efforts and not his/her victories.

The Club firmly believes that for the wrestling experience to be a positive, safe, and enjoyable learning experience for all, coaches, parents/guardians, and wrestlers must be held accountable for their behavior when working in and around any wrestling environment, especially youth wrestling. We want to partner with you to help us teach your child to enjoy wrestling while learning the fundamentals and art of the sport. Your child’s hard work and self-motivation will follow in time. Parents, fans, and coaches who follow this simple code can help reinforce what wrestling is all about… HARD WORK AND FUN FOR EVERYONE!

To this end, we have created a Code of Conduct that defines the expectations to be upheld and adhered to by all coaches, parents, wrestlers, officials, spectators or more generally the "participants" of the Saint Peter Youth Wrestling Club. All members will be asked to review and sign the applicable code of conduct during registration and it is especially important for parents/guardians to review and explain these expectations to their wrestlers.

Discipline for Violations

Any wrestler, coach, or parent/guardian of a wrestler who violates the Code of Conduct, is presenting a discipline problem, using foul language, or is otherwise determined by their actions to be detrimental in any way to children or adults at any wrestling activity or event will face swift action.  Any mischievous behavior or inappropriate conduct at wrestling events will result in the appropriate disciplinary measures, and based upon the severity of the incident the offender may be asked to leave the area.

If violations are observed, disciplinary action may be enforced immediately on the spot by coaching staff, referees, or by members of the board.  When a measure is taken on an offender that results in ejection from a wrestling event, a resolution committee comprised of the board, coaches, and parents (as appropriate) will set a meeting within one week of the occurrence to objectively evaluate the incident, determine a final resolution, and formally address the matter.  Any further discussions, decisions, or disciplinary actions will be followed up directly with the offender within 24 hours after the resolution committee has met.

 

  • Badgering, name-calling or use of foul language by a coach or parent, whether directed at a referee, coach, player or spectator will not be tolerated. Violation of this rule will result in a warning to the offender followed by ejection from the practice, tournament, or event.  Parents, coaches, and wrestlers will direct all cheering towards their own teammates and shall refrain from taunting, criticizing or jeering at opposing competitors.
  • Confrontations that involve direct verbal assault, cursing, or fighting is cause for immediate ejection from the wrestling event, and repeated offenses may result in the offender being barred from future practices, tournaments, or events.

Coaches' Code of Conduct

As a Saint Peter Youth Wrestling Coach, I agree that:

  1. I will adhere to the Coaches' Code of Conduct while participating in any wrestling activity, regardless of the sponsoring municipality or organization.
  2. I will place the emotional and physical well-being of the wrestlers ahead of a personal desire to win and remember that I am a youth wrestling coach and that the sport is for children and not adults.
  3. I will treat each wrestler as an individual, expect age appropriate skills from each of them, and practice positive reinforcement at all times.
  4. I will keep an open line of communication between myself and other coaches, parents/guardians, and wrestlers. At no time will I engage in a verbal confrontation with other coaches, parents, referees, or any wrestler while mat side or in front of other wrestlers. If necessary, I will respectfully request an appropriately agreed upon time discuss any issues with coaches, parents, or officials. I understand that the result of such behavior will be ejection from mat side involvement at practices, tournaments, or events.
  5. I will attend practices regularly to understand what the team has worked on, so that I may effectively coach at other practices and tournaments.
  6. I will be respectful in victory and defeat and refrain from using profanity at any tournaments, practices or any other youth wrestling events.
  7. I will conform to all applicable local, state, and federal laws and regulations, and any rules, regulations, and codes that may be established for competitions, camps, clinics, appearances or other events, programs, and activities in which I participate.
  8. I will respect the property of others, whether personal or public.
  9. I will respect the decisions of referees and coaches.
  10. I will respect members of Saint Peter Youth Wrestling, other teams and delegations, spectators, coaches, trainers, administrators, and officials, and engage in no form of verbal, physical, or sexual harassment, or abuse.  I agree that failure to comply with this will result in my removal from a practice, tournament, or event in which the offense occurs, and that repeat offenses may subject me to expulsion from the Club.

Wrestler's Code of Conduct

As a Saint Peter Youth Wrestler, I agree that:

  1. I will adhere to the Wrestler's Code of Conduct while participating in any wrestling activity, regardless of the sponsoring municipality or organization.
  2. I will participate in wrestling to have fun and remember that doing my best is far more important than winning.
  3. Win or lose, I will shake the hands of my opponent and my opponent’s coach. I will never ridicule or taunt another participant for making a mistake or losing a competition
  4. I will not engage in or encourage any behaviors that would endanger the health or wellbeing of another including any hostile, violent, or negative behaviors.
  5. I will not be disruptive during practice or competitions and understand that if I am, then my parent/guardian will be required to accompany me until I am able to act appropriately.
  6. I will inform a coach of any physical disability or ailment that may affect my performance, safety or the safety of another.
  7. I will conform to all applicable local, state, and federal laws and regulations, and any rules, regulations, and codes that may be established for competitions, camps, clinics, appearances or other events, programs, and activities in which I participate.
  8. I will respect the property of others, whether personal or public.
  9. I will respect the authority and judgment of coaches and officials during any wrestling related event or activity including practices and tournaments. At no time will I engage in a verbal confrontation with coaches, parents, referees, or any other wrestler while mat side or in front of other wrestlers. If necessary, I will respectfully request an appropriately agreed upon time discuss any issues with coaches or parents. I understand that the result of such behavior will be ejection from mat side involvement at practices, tournaments, or events.
  10. I will respect members of Saint Peter Youth Wrestling, other teams and delegations, spectators, coaches, trainers, administrators, and officials, and engage in no form of verbal, physical, or sexual harassment, or abuse.  I agree that failure to comply with this will result in my removal from a practice, tournament, or event in which the offense occurs, and that repeat offenses may subject me to expulsion from the Club.

Parent's Code of Conduct

As a Saint Peter Youth Wrestling Parent/Guardian, I agree that:

  1. I will adhere to the Parent's Code of Conduct while participating in any wrestling activity, regardless of the sponsoring municipality or organization. I will ensure that any other parent/guardian, family member, or guest that attends a wrestling event for the wrestler(s) that I am responsible for who does not sign the Parent/Guardian Code of Conduct will adhere to the rules at any time that I am subject to them.
  2. I will review the Wrestler's Code of Conduct with my child and explain the meaning of the clauses so that expectations are understood by my child before signing it or allowing them to sign it. Furthermore, I will learn the rules of wrestling and the policies of Saint Peter Youth Wrestling Club.
  3. I will remember that children participate in wrestling to have fun, that tournaments are for the children, not the adults, and will teach my child the same. I will not force my child to participate in wrestling and will never ridicule or punish my child or any other wrestler for making a mistake or losing a match.
  4. I will attend and provide additional supervision at all practices, tournaments, and any other wrestling related activity or event that my child attends if a Saints Wrestling coach determines that my child needs such additional supervision. I will also intervene in a calm manner if my child’s behavior is in any way unacceptable at a match or practice.
  5. I will inform a coach of any physical disability or ailment that may affect my child’s performance or safety or the safety of another.
  6. I will not engage in or encourage any behaviors or practices that would endanger the health or wellbeing of another including any hostile, violent, or negative behavior.
  7. I will conform to all applicable local, state, and federal laws and regulations, and any rules, regulations, and codes that may be established for competitions, camps, clinics, appearances or other events, programs, and activities in which I participate.
  8. I will respect the property of others, whether personal or public.
  9. I will respect the authority and judgment of coaches and officials during any wrestling related event or activity including practices and tournaments. At no time will I engage in a verbal confrontation with coaches, parents, referees, my child or any other wrestler while mat side or in front of other wrestlers. If necessary, I will respectfully request an appropriately agreed upon time discuss any issues with coaches or parents. If discipline is necessary for my child, I will calmly handle the situation in a less public area. I understand that the result of such behavior will be ejection from mat side involvement at practices, tournaments, or events.
  10. I will respect members of Saint Peter Youth Wrestling, other teams and delegations, spectators, coaches, trainers, administrators, and officials, and engage in no form of verbal, physical, or sexual harassment, or abuse. I agree that failure to comply with this will result in my removal from a practice, tournament, or event in which the offense occurs, and that repeat offenses may subject me to expulsion from the Club.