ATHLETE CODE OF ETHICS BC
School Sports, school districts and your school consider it to be a privilege to represent
your school in an athletic competition. Therefore, certain behavioural expectations come
with this selection. Student-athletes are expected to uphold the following standards:
411.1 Treat all participants fairly regardless of gender, race, sexual orientation, religion,
physical or mental abilities, political belief or economic status.
411.2 Embrace the highest ideals of sportsmanship, ethical conduct and fair play. Be
modest in victory and gracious in defeat.
411.3 Show respect and give courtesy to opponents, officials, volunteers, teammates,
spectators and coaches at all times.
411.4 Uphold the rules of the sport, spirit of such rules and encourage other athletes to
do the same.
411.5 Represent yourself, your parents, your school and your community with proper
conduct at all times on or off the playing field.
411.6 Respect other athletes’ dignity and acknowledge that verbal or physical behaviour
that constitutes harassment or abuse is unacceptable.
411.7 Participate in a manner that ensures the safety of fans, athletes, coaches and
officials.
411.8 Accept decisions of officials without dispute.
411.9 Shall not use the media, social media or networking forums to criticize or threaten
other student-athletes, coaches, officials, school teams, spectators or BCSS.
411.10 Demonstrate that it is a privilege to represent your school.
COACHES CODE OF ETHICS
The coach/student-athlete relationship is a privileged one. Coaches play a critical role in
the personal and athletic development of student-athletes. Therefore, coaches are
expected to model the fundamentally positive aspects of school sport. Coaches,
including community coaches, are expected to uphold the following standards:
412.1 Recognize that school sport is an extension of the classroom, and shall conduct
themselves accordingly when performing coaching duties;
412.2 Observe the Bylaws and Policies of BCSS and those of their local athletic
association;
412.3 Observe the rules of the sport, the spirit of the rules of the sport, and shall
encourage student-athletes to do the same;
412.4 Fulfill all competition, invitational, playoff and championship competitive and event
obligations;
412.5 Treat all participants fairly regardless of gender, race, sexual orientation, religion,
physical or mental abilities, political belief or economic status.
412.6 Respect the rulings of officials without gesture or argument, and shall require
student-athletes to do the same;
412.7 Shall not use foul, profane, harassing or offensive language or gestures in the
conduct of coaching duties;
412.8 Shall not use the media, social media or networking forums to criticize or threaten
student-athletes, coaches, officials, school teams, spectators or BCSS.
412.9 Shall not use physical force of any kind in the conduct of coaching duties;
412.10 Shall not, under any circumstances, endorse, recommend, or suggest the use of
performance-enhancing drugs or supplements by any student-athlete;
412.11 Shall not use tobacco products and alcohol while in the presence of
student-athletes, and shall discourage their use by student-athletes;
412.12 Shall not, under any circumstances, require, suggest or imply that a
student-athlete must be involved in any summer program or club program as part of
their responsibilities as a school team member;
412.13 Shall not, under any circumstances, require, suggest or imply that a
student-athlete cannot or should not participate in any BCSS-approved sport in the
season preceding or following the coach’s season of play;
412.14 Shall not, under any circumstances, start pre-season tryouts or practices to the
detriment of any in-season sport.
SPECTATORS CODE OF ETHICS BC
School Sports is committed to ensuring that all student-athletes, coaches and other
individuals involved in BCSS activities have the opportunity to participate in a safe and
enjoyable environment. Attendance at any BCSS event entitles you to enjoy an
exhibition of skills developed by athletes in an educational setting. Spectators are
expected to conduct themselves in a 56 | 2023-24 BCSS Handbook manner which
supports the values of BC School Sports, and encourages the development of all
student-athletes. Spectators are expected to uphold the following standards:
413.1 Show respect to all individuals including, student-athletes, coaches, officials,
volunteers and fellow spectators.
413.2 Shall not use foul, profane, harassing or offensive language or gestures while in
attendance at any BCSS event.
413.3 Abstain from consuming any unlicensed alcohol or illegal substances during any
BCSS events.
413.4 Remain in designated spectators zones at event locations.
413.5 Shall not use the media, social media or networking forums to criticize or threaten
student-athletes, coaches, officials, school teams, other spectators or BCSS.