SAEF CODE OF CONDUCT

1. PREAMBLE:

This code of conduct indicates the standard of behaviour expected of a member of an

association. It is a formal statement of the values and ethical standards that guide
individuals in sport. It is a set of principles, and norms to which sporting people can be
held accountable when representing South Africa at any sporting event. This can also be
used as a point of reference when dealing with disciplinary procedures against members

2. VALUES STATEMENT:

The Purpose of this code is:

2.1. To outline incorrect and unacceptable actions/behaviours within sport and to

encourage ethical behaviour within sport, so that when the code is contravened
the appropriate disciplinary action can with consistency be taken, thus responding
to offences and preventing re-occurrence.

2.2. To help to resolve conflict.

2.3. To make ethical behaviour infringement easy to identify.

2.4. To enhance the ethical reputation of sports persons.

2.5. To promote respect for human dignity, rights and social justice.
 2.6. Provide a framework for all sporting persons to conduct their sporting activities
according to the following ethical principles:

2.6.1. Respect the rights, dignity and worth of every human being

2.6.2. Being fair, considerate, honest and respect for the law.

2.6.3. Being trustworthy and professional, accepting responsibilities for their

action.

2.6.4. Refraining from any racial, gender, verbal, physical or emotional abuse or
harassment.

2.6.5. Always making a positive contribution and refraining from destructive

criticism.

2.6.6. Always acting in the interest of South African sport.

3. APPLICABILITY:

3.1. The code shall apply to all individuals at any time including at any meetings or get
together and all participants/athletes who participate / attend any
competition/event, which is held under the auspices of the relevant Association,
or THE FEDERATION which are members of, or affiliated to the relevant
Federation.

3.2. The code shall apply to any administrator involved in the administration of the
relevant sport at any level within South Africa and who thereby falls under the
auspices of that relevant Association and THE FEDERATION.

3.3. The code shall apply to any coach involved in coaching a team/individual for any
event/competition, which falls under the auspices of the Association.

3.4. The code shall apply to any technical official involved in officiating or training at
any event/competition which falls under the auspices of the National Federation.
4. SUCCESS OF A CODE OF CONDUCT

This code of conduct can only be successful if:

4.1. The athletes, officials, coaches and administrators familiarize themselves with the
content of the Code.

4.2. National federations and macro-bodies frequently refer to the Code of Conduct
for guidance.

4.3. The code of ethics is included/captured in the national federation’s

rules/constitution and SASC colour regulations.

4.4. Anyone who fails to conform their conduct to the following code of conduct they
will be subject to disciplinary action according to their relevant federation’s
constitution or disciplinary procedures.

5. BEFORE GOING AGAINST THE CODE OF CONDUCT A PERSON SHOULD ASK THE
FOLLOWING QUESTIONS:

5.1. Is it legal and constitutional?

5.2. What does the code of conduct say?

5.3. How would it look in tomorrow’s newspaper?

5.4. Does it comply with the federation’s rules and regulations?

5.5. How does it make me feel?

5.6. Is it against the federations or professional standards?

5.7. Will it reflect negatively on my federation or me?

5.8. Whom else this could affect?

5.9. Would I be embarrassed if others knew I took this course of action?

5.10. Is there an alternative action that does not pose an ethical conflict?

5.11. What would a reasonable person think?

5.12. Can I sleep at night?

6. ADMINISTRATORS

I pledge to:

6.1. Do my best to ensure that all athletes are given an equal opportunity to
participate, regardless of gender, ability or ethnic background.

6.2. Discourage any sport program from becoming primarily an entertainment for the
spectators.

6.3. Ensure that all equipment and facilities are safe and appropriate to the athlete’s
ages and abilities.

6.4. Make sure that the age and maturity levels of the children are considered in
program development, rule enforcement and scheduling.

6.5. Remember that participation is done for the athletes own sake and ensure that
winning is kept in perspective.

6.6. Ensure that the code of ethics / fairplay is distributed, understood and agreed
upon by, coaches, athletes, and officials.

6.7. Ensure that coaches and officials are capable of promoting fair play as well as the
development of good technical skills, and encourage them to become certified.

6.8. Promote and develop the game by sharing knowledge and experience.

6.9. Administer all issues relating to the sport in the best interest of the sport and not
for my personal gain.

6.10. Educate and ensure high standards of risk management are maintained.

6.11. Educate athletes to respect other cultures and beliefs.

6.12. Keep athletes and officials updated on protocol of other countries where they may
compete.

6.13. Conform to my federation’s code of conduct.

6.14. Show common courtesy towards participants/players, other administrators,

coaches, spectators, technical officials, press and sponsors.

6.15. No administrator shall at any time give, make, issue, authorize or endorse any
public statement which will have or design to have, an effect prejudicial or
detrimental to the best interest of the National Federations or sport in general
7. ATHLETES/PARTICIPANTS

I will:

7.1. Respect the rules and play in the spirit of the game.

7.2. Display high standards of behaviour that promote a positive image for the game.

7.3. Respect my opponents.

7.4. Respect the officials and their decisions.

7.5. Be gracious in victory and defeat and remember that winning isn’t everything.

7.6. Give my team-mates positive inputs and feedback.

7.7. Compete fairly.

7.8. Refrain from the use of profane, insulting, harassing or otherwise offensive
language or behaviour on or off the field.

7.9. Strive to maintain a sense of self-control and dignity at all times.

7.10. Thank officials and opposing teams/athletes after every game/match or any event
where applicable.

7.11. Remember to maintain a sense of integrity.

7.12. Respect the facilities/equipment.

7.13. Do my best to try to be a true team athlete at all times.

7.14. Never advocate, condone, make use of drugs or other banned performance
enhancing substances or be involved with the administering of any to a horse been
ridden.

7.15. Reject corruption, drugs, racism, violence and other dangers to the sport.

7.16. Help others to resist corrupting pressures.

7.17. Denounce those who attempt to discredit the sport.

7.18. Honour those who defend the sports good reputation.

 7.19. To the best of my ability abstain from the use of tobacco products and alcoholic
beverages in public when representing my country.

7.20. Never provide under age participants with alcohol.

7.21. Participate in all team testing and satisfy all team program-testing objectives.
(Drug and High Performance)

7.22. Communicate and co-operate with registered medical practitioners/testing centre

in the diagnoses, treatment and management of medical problems and respect
the concerns of these medical people have when they are considering my future
health and wellbeing and when they are making decisions regarding my ability to
continue to play or train.

7.23. Respect other athletes and officials cultures and beliefs.

7.24. Conform to my federation’s code of conduct.

7.25. Show common courtesy towards administrators, coaches, spectators, technical

officials, press and sponsors.

7.26. No player/participant shall at any time give, make, issue, authorize or endorse any
public statement which will have or design to have, an effect prejudicial or
detrimental to the best interest of the National Federations or sport in general

7.27. Never commit an act of animal abuse as defined by the Animals Protection Act, 71
of 1962.

7.28. Never condone cosmetic surgery to horse.

8. TECHNICAL OFFICIALS

I will:

8.1. Make sure that every athlete has a reasonable opportunity to perform to the best
of his or her ability, within the limits of the rules.

8.2. Avoid or put an end to any situation that threatens the safety of the athletes.

8.3. Strive to maintain a healthy atmosphere and environment for competition.

8.4. Not tolerate unacceptable conduct toward officials, athletes, spectators or myself.
 8.5. Be consistent and objective in calling all infractions, regardless of my personal
feelings toward a team or individual athlete.

8.6. Handle all conflicts firmly but with dignity.

8.7. Accept my role as a teacher and role model for fair play.

8.8. Be open to discussion and contact with the athletes before and after the game.

8.9. Remain open to constructive criticism and show respect and consideration for
different points of view.

8.10. Obtain proper training and continue to upgrade my officiating skills.

8.11. Consistently display high personal standards and project a favourable image of the
sport and officiating.

8.12. Uphold the international standards.

8.13. To the best of my ability abstain from the use of tobacco products and alcoholic
beverages in public when officiating and working with officials and athletes.

8.14. Refrain from the use of profane, insulting, harassing or otherwise offensive
language or behaviour in the conduct of my duties.

8.15. Never advocate or condone the use of drugs or other banned substances.

8.16. Conform to my federation’s code of conduct.

8.17. Show common courtesy towards participants/players, administrators, coaches,

spectators, other technical officials, press and sponsors.

8.18. No technical official shall at any time give, make, issue, authorize or endorse any
public statement which will have or design to have, an effect prejudicial or
detrimental to the best interest of the National Federations or sport in general

9. COACHES

I will:

9.1. Treat everyone fairly within the context of his or her activity, regardless of gender,
place of origin, colour, sex, religion, political belief or economic status.

9.2. Ensure that confidentiality of players is maintained.

9.3. Teach the athletes how to manage conflict and stress and use good judgment in
tough situations.

9.4. Be generous with praise and give the team positive inputs and feedback.

9.5. Encourage a constructive attitude toward competitions.

9.6. Provide an equal opportunity for all to learn skills and further themselves.

9.7. Encourage individuals to continue their participation in sport.

9.8. Be reasonable when scheduling games and practices.

9.9. Teach athletes to play fairly and to respect the rules, officials and opponents.

9.10. Ensure that all athletes get equal instruction, support and playing time

9.11. Not ridicule or yell at my athletes for making mistakes or for performing poorly.

9.12. Within the limits of my control I will make sure that equipment and facilities are
safe and match the athlete’s ages and abilities.

9.13. Remember that athletes need a coach they can respect and thereby set a good
example.

9.14. Obtain the proper training and continue to upgrade my coaching skills.

9.15. Refrain from public criticism of fellow coaches, athletes, officials and volunteers
especially when addressing the media.

9.16. Communicate and co-operate with registered medical practitioners in the

diagnoses, treatment and management of the athlete’s medical and psychological
problems.

9.17. Consider the athlete’s future health and well-being as foremost when making
decisions regarding an injured athletes ability to continue playing or training.

9.18. Recognize and accept when to refer athletes to another coach or sport specialist,
allow the athletes goals to take precedence over my personal goals.

9.19. At no time become intimately and/or sexually involved with any athlete.

9.20. Never advocate or condone the use of drugs or other banned performance
enhancing substances.
9.21. Never provide under age athletes with alcohol, or encourage its use.

9.22. To the best of my ability abstain from the use of tobacco products and alcoholic
beverages in public when officiating and in the presence of the athletes.

9.23. Refrain from the use of profane, insulting, harassing or otherwise offensive
language or behaviour in the conduct of my duties.

9.24. In the case of minors, communicate and co-operate with the athlete’s parents or
legal guardians, involving them in management decisions pertaining to their child’s
development.

9.25. Conform to my federation’s code of conduct.

9.26. Show common courtesy towards participants/players, administrators,

spectators, technical officials, other coaches, press and sponsors.

9.27. No coach shall at any time give, make, issue, authorize or endorse any public
statement which will have or design to have, an effect prejudicial or detrimental
to the best interest of the National Associations or sport in general.