CODE OF CONDUCT 

 

 

MIND SPORTS SOUTH AFRICA (MSSA) is the National Sports Federation recognised by the Government of South Africa and the South African Sports Confederation and Olympic Committee as being the controlling body for the various disciplines constituting ‘mind sports’. 

Having been selected to represent South Africa in the national team, I realise that it is because the Selectors assessed my playing record and previous experience subject to their belief that my presence will be a positive addition. I understand that it is MSSA policy that the Management Board is not privy to selectors decisions and that the Selectors decisions are confidential and final.  I also realize the fact that belonging to a team depends on many factors and a good result at Team Trials is not an automatic indicator of possible team membership.

 

CODE OF ETHICS

I agree to subscribe to the Code of Ethics and specifically the following terms:

·         I accept the following terms of the Code of Ethics unequivocally:

·         The Code of Ethics 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 sports people can be held accountable when representing South Africa at any sporting event as well as in their everyday duties.  This can also be used as a point of reference in considering disciplinary affairs.

 

In the event that I participate in sport in an Administrative capacity:

I pledge to:

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

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

·         Ensure that all programmes, equipment and facilities are safe and appropriate to the athletes ages and abilities.

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

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

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

·         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.

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

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

·         Educate and ensure that high standards of risk management are maintained.

·         Educate athletes to respect other cultures and beliefs.

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

·         Keep relevant information confidential

·         Not to misuse my position or information for my own benefit

 

In the event that I participate in any sport as a player, athlete or participant:

I will:

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

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

·         Respect my opponents.

·         Respect the officials and their decisions.

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

·         Give my team mates positive inputs and feedback.

·         Compete fairly.

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

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

·         Thank officials and opposing teams after every game/match.

·         Remember to maintain a sense of integrity.

·         Respect the facilities/equipment.

·         Do my best to try to be a true team player.

·         Never advocate or condone the use of drugs or other banned performance enhancing substances or methods.

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

·         Help others to resist corrupting pressures.

·         Denounce those who attempt to discredit the sport.

·         Honour those who defend the sport’s good reputation.

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

·         Never provide under age participants with alcohol.

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

·         Communicate and co-operate with registered medical practitioners/testing centre in the diagnoses, treatment and management of medical problems and respect the concerns these medical people have when they are considering my future health and well being and when they are making decisions regarding my ability to continue to play or train.

·         Respect other athletes and official’s cultures and beliefs.

 

In the event that I participate in an event in a technical capacity:

I will:

·         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.

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

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

·         Not condone/tolerate unacceptable conduct toward officials, athletes, spectators or myself.

·         Be consistent and objective in calling all infractions, regardless of my personal feelings toward a team or individual athlete.

·         Handle all conflicts firmly but with dignity.

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

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

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

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

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

·         Uphold the international standards.

·         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.

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

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

 

In the event that I am involved in a coaching capacity:

I will:

·         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.

·         Ensure that confidentiality of players is maintained.

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

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

·         Encourage a constructive attitude toward competitions.

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

·         Encourage individuals to continue their participation in sport.

·         Be reasonable when scheduling games and practices.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

·         Communicate and co-operate with registered medical practitioners in the diagnoses, treatment and management of the athlete’s medical and psychological problems.

·         Consider the athletes future health and well being as foremost when making decisions regarding an injured athletes ability to continue playing or training.

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

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

·         Never advocate or condone the use of drugs or other banned performance enhancing substances or methods.

·         Never provide under age athletes with alcohol, or encourage its use.

·         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.

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

·         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.

 

ACCEPTANCE OF CODE OF CONDUCT

 

I hereby accept the Code of Conduct as being drawn up to hold all sports persons accountable for their actions.  I shall endeavour to not only follow the formal requirements of this Code of Conduct, but also to show its relevance in my everyday conduct.

 

ADDITIONAL RULES FROM THE REGULATIONS

 

Schedule 18, SPONSORSHIP

18.1            Every year at the National Convention, the President in consultation with the Vice President, shall identify the companies that the UNION will target for sponsorship. No member will be entitled to approach any of these companies for sponsorship.

18.2            Members shall identify the companies that they wish to target for sponsorship at the first, or any subsequent, Executive Committee Meeting. No member shall be allowed to approach any of the companies already listed.

18.3            Players will be allowed to apply in writing to the Executive Committee to be granted permission to approach companies for sponsorship. Such letter must contain full particulars. Players will not be allowed to approach companies already targeted by the UNION or members.

18.4            All sponsorship must be in keeping with the image that the UNION is trying to project, if it is not, the Executive Committee reserves the right to forbid any member or player from approaching the sponsor or from allowing any of the advertisements from being displayed.

18.5            The UNION shall display its sponsors names in any way it deems suitable at any Regional and/or National Championship, or any other Championship directly in its jurisdiction.

18.6            The member may display a banner no bigger than 6 x 4 foot at any Regional or National event hosted by the member. The sponsor's name and emblem may not exceed 2 x 4 inches on any clothing, score-sheets, stickers or other items which will be brought to the competition.

18.7            Players will only be allowed to advertise their sponsors by wearing suitable apparel with the sponsors names and emblems thereon. Such advertising must not exceed 2 x 4 inches in size.

 

Schedule 19, MEDIA

19.1            Only people appointed by the Executive Committee shall deal with the media.

19.2            At no times shall disparaging remarks be made about what is happening within the UNION.

19.3            Members shall submit copies of media coverage that they obtain on their own behalf to the UNION.

 

Schedule 20, DRESS CODE

20.1      Players representing the UNION at any International, National, or Interprovincial event may only wear clothing approved by the Executive Committee being,

a.       The Blazer, tie, white shirt, and black trousers (and/or skirt for women), or

b.       Shirt provided by the official sponsor and black trousers (and/or skirt for women), or

c.       The Golf shirt and black trousers (and/or skirt for women).

20.2            No player representing the UNION is permitted to wear any clothing having advertising slogans and emblems which have not been approved of by the Executive Committee.

20.3            Players representing their clubs at any National Trials, Regional Competition, and/or National Competition may not wear any clothing not approved of by their club's Executive Committee or any clothing not in keeping with sponsorships or clothing with advertising slogans and emblems without the prior approval of the Executive Committee.

20.4            All players shall be entitled to wear the GENERAL TIE and/or GENERAL GOLF SHIRT which shall be Navy Blue and shall have the UNION's emblem embroidered on it in yellow.

20.5            All players who have earned National and/or Regional Colours in the previous season must comply with the Dress Code at all Regional and National Championships.

20.6            THE GOLF SHIRT

To supplement the dress code for players participating at SAWU competitions to include the following:

            National -          Green golf shirt with the SAWU emblem, SOUTH AFRICA, and the date in gold.

            Regional -         Black golf shirt with the SAWU emblem, regional name, and date in gold.

            General -          Navy blue golf shirt with the SAWU emblem in gold.

20.7      Players shall always wear their highest award applicable for that wargaming year.