Section 10-138. Distribution of a Model Code of Conduct to participants in youth sports programs  


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  • a. Legislative findings and intent. Participation  in youth sports programs  should  be  a  rewarding  experience.  Through
      sports   programs,   our   youth   learn  the  importance  of  teamwork,
      cooperation, effort, discipline  and  commitment.  Furthermore,  regular
      physical activity is the cornerstone of an active and healthy lifestyle.
      Unfortunately,  good  sportsmanship  is sometimes lacking on the part of
      coaches, parents, players, spectators  and  other  persons  involved  in
      youth   sports   programs,  resulting  in  the  creation  of  a  hostile
      environment for participants. The City Council finds that  in  order  to
      realize   the  full  potential  and  value  of  youth  sports  programs,
      participants in such programs should  follow  a  Code  of  Conduct  that
      reflects  principles  of  good sportsmanship at all youth sports events.
      Furthermore, the City Council finds that organizations  that  administer
      youth  sports  programs  should  have  the  option  of  banning coaches,
      parents, players, spectators and  other  participants  in  youth  sports
      programs  from  attending  youth sports events if they engage in certain
      egregious behavior at  such  events.  Additionally,  such  organizations
      should have the option of requiring individuals to complete some form of
      anger management counseling before being allowed to resume attendance at
      youth sports events.
        b. Definitions. For purposes of this section:
        (1) The term "youth" shall mean any person under the age of eighteen.
        (2)   The   term  "organization"  shall  mean  any  individual,  firm,
      partnership, trust, association, corporation or other entity.
        (3) The term "youth sports event" shall mean a  competition,  practice
      or  instructional  event involving one or more youth sports teams, where
      such youth sports teams utilize  city  facilities  and/or  receive  city
      funding.
        c.  Any  organization  that  administers  a  youth sports program that
      utilizes city facilities and/or receives city funding  shall  distribute
      the  following  Model  Code  of  Conduct  or  a  similar Code of Conduct
      containing guidelines for conduct of behavior to be  observed  at  youth
      sports  events to all coaches, parents and players participating in such
      sports program:
        Model Code of Conduct
        1.  All  officials,  coaches,   parents,   players,   spectators   and
      participants shall respect one another.
        2.   All   officials,   coaches,   parents,  players,  spectators  and
      participants shall respect officials' decisions.
        3.  All  officials,  coaches,   parents,   players,   spectators   and
      participants shall engage in fair play and abide by all game rules.
        4.   All   officials,   coaches,   parents,  players,  spectators  and
      participants shall refrain  from  engaging  in  taunting  of  officials,
      coaches,  parents, players, spectators or other participants by means of
      baiting or ridiculing.
        5.  All  officials,  coaches,   parents,   players,   spectators   and
      participants   shall   refrain  from  verbal  and/or  profane  abuse  of
      officials, coaches, parents, players, spectators or other participants.
        6.  All  officials,  coaches,   parents,   players,   spectators   and
      participants   shall  refrain  from  threatening  physical  violence  or
      engaging in any form of physical violence.
        7.  All  officials,  coaches,   parents,   players,   spectators   and
      participants shall win and lose with good sportsmanship and shall strive
      to make youth sports programs rewarding for all participants.
        d.  Any  organization  that  administers  a  youth sports program that
      utilizes city facilities or receives city funding shall  post  or  affix
      the  Model  Code  of  Conduct  or  a  similar Code of Conduct containing
    
      guidelines for conduct of behavior to be observed at youth sports events
      at the primary  facility  where  such  youth  sports  events  occur,  as
      practicable.
        e.  Any  organization  that  administers  a  youth sports program that
      utilizes city facilities  and/or  receives  city  funding  may  ban  the
      presence  at youth sports events of any official, coach, parent, player,
      spectator or other participant who (1) engages  in  verbal  or  physical
      threats or abuse aimed at any official, coach, parent, player, spectator
      or  other  participant,  (2)  initiates  a  fight  or  scuffle  with any
      official, coach, parent, player, spectator or other participant  or  (3)
      engages  in  repeated  and  egregious  violations  of  the Model Code of
      Conduct or similar Code of Conduct containing guidelines for conduct  of
      behavior to be observed at youth sports events, if the conduct occurs at
      or in connection with such youth sports event.
        f. In the event that any official, coach, parent, player, spectator or
      other  participant is banned from attending youth sports events pursuant
      to subdivision (e)  of  this  section,  such  person  may  petition  the
      organization  that imposed such ban for permission to resume attendance.
      Prior to being permitted to resume  attendance,  such  organization  may
      require  such  person to present proof of completion of anger management
      counseling or its equivalent.