ASL Code of Conduct

Purpose and the general standard

1. Purpose

Apex Super League is intended to provide young players with a competitive, developmental, safe and enjoyable football environment.

Everyone involved is expected to contribute positively to that environment.

Competitive football can involve emotion, pressure, disagreement and disappointment. These circumstances do not excuse abusive, unsafe or inappropriate behaviour.

2. General standard of behaviour

Everyone participating in or attending Apex Super League activities must:

• treat players, coaches, match officials, staff, parents and spectators with respect;
• contribute to a safe environment for children and young people;
• behave honestly and fairly;
• follow reasonable safety and operational instructions;
• avoid abusive, threatening, intimidating, discriminatory or violent behaviour;
• respect the facilities and equipment being used;
• communicate concerns through appropriate channels; and
• behave in a manner consistent with the values and standards expected within a youth football environment.

Players

3. Player responsibilities

Players are expected to:

• treat teammates, opponents, coaches, referees and spectators respectfully;
• train and compete with appropriate effort and attitude;
• follow reasonable coaching and safety instructions;
• play within the rules and spirit of the game;
• accept referee decisions appropriately;
• arrive prepared and on time where reasonably possible;
• look after equipment and facilities;
• support teammates;
• behave appropriately whether winning or losing;
• avoid deliberately dangerous play;
• avoid bullying or humiliating another player; and
• raise concerns if something makes them feel unsafe or uncomfortable.

4. Competitive behaviour

Apex Super League encourages players to compete seriously and confidently.

Players may:

• compete aggressively within the rules;
• celebrate appropriately;
• disagree with an outcome;
• feel disappointed;
• communicate during matches; and
• challenge themselves and their opponents.

Competitive intensity must not become:

• abuse;
• intimidation;
• retaliation;
• deliberate violence;
• discriminatory conduct;
• threatening behaviour; or
• intentionally dangerous play.

5. Respect for teammates

Players must not:

• deliberately isolate or exclude a teammate as a form of bullying;
• repeatedly insult or humiliate a teammate;
• threaten another player;
• spread harmful rumours;
• target another player through social media or messaging;
• deliberately damage another player's belongings; or
• encourage others to bully or exclude a player.

Football disagreements should be resolved appropriately.

6. Respect for opponents

Opponents must be treated as competitors, not enemies.

Players must not engage in:

• deliberate physical retaliation;
• threatening behaviour;
• discriminatory abuse;
• persistent taunting intended to humiliate;
• fighting; or
• conduct intended to injure another player.

Normal competitive communication and celebration must remain appropriate for junior football.

7. Respect for match officials

Referees and other match officials must be treated respectfully.

Players must not:

• verbally abuse an official;
• threaten or intimidate an official;
• deliberately surround or confront an official aggressively;
• use discriminatory language towards an official; or
• physically confront an official.

Players may respectfully seek clarification where appropriate, but the referee's match authority must be respected.

Parents, guardians and spectators

8. Parent and legal guardian responsibilities

Parents and legal guardians are expected to:

• support their child's participation positively;
• encourage effort, development and good conduct;
• treat players, coaches, referees, staff and other families respectfully;
• allow Apex Football Group coaches to coach;
• allow match officials to officiate;
• avoid placing unreasonable pressure on children;
• comply with venue and safeguarding requirements;
• raise concerns through appropriate Apex Football Group channels;
• ensure their child understands the applicable standards of behaviour; and
• contribute to an environment where children can enjoy and develop through football.

9. Sideline behaviour

Parents and spectators may support and encourage players from the sideline.

They must not:

• verbally abuse players;
• verbally abuse referees;
• aggressively confront coaches;
• threaten another person;
• direct discriminatory abuse at anyone;
• repeatedly undermine coaching instructions;
• enter the playing field without permission;
• enter restricted technical areas without authorisation; or
• behave in a way that materially disrupts the match or makes participants feel unsafe.

Apex Football Group may require a person to modify their behaviour or leave the venue where reasonably necessary.

10. Coaching from the sideline

Parents and spectators should avoid giving continuous tactical or technical instructions that conflict with coaching provided by Apex Football Group.

Positive encouragement is welcome.

Apex Football Group coaches are responsible for the sporting direction of their teams during organised Apex Super League activities.

11. Concerns about coaching

Parents and legal guardians may raise genuine concerns or ask questions about their child's football experience.

Concerns should be communicated respectfully and through the appropriate Apex Football Group channel.

Parents should not:

• aggressively confront coaches immediately before, during or after a match;
• argue with coaches in front of children;
• encourage children to disregard reasonable coaching instructions; or
• direct personal abuse at coaches.

Where possible, substantive concerns should be discussed at an appropriate time away from the immediate intensity of a match.

12. Concerns about refereeing

Disagreement with a referee's decision does not justify abuse or confrontation.

Where Apex Football Group provides a process for raising concerns regarding officiating, that process should be used.

Parents and spectators must not approach junior referees in an aggressive or intimidating manner.

Coaches, staff and match officials

13. Coaches and Apex Football Group staff

Apex Football Group coaches and staff are expected to:

• prioritise player safety and welfare;
• maintain professional boundaries;
• treat players respectfully;
• coach in an age-appropriate manner;
• provide an environment that supports development;
• avoid humiliating or degrading coaching practices;
• avoid discriminatory behaviour;
• follow applicable safeguarding requirements;
• model appropriate sporting conduct;
• communicate appropriately with families;
• respect match officials;
• act reasonably when exercising authority; and
• report safeguarding concerns through the appropriate process.

14. Coaching standards

Coaches may challenge players, hold them accountable and provide honest performance feedback.

Constructive coaching may include:

• correcting mistakes;
• setting performance expectations;
• changing positions;
• changing tactical responsibilities;
• managing substitutions;
• challenging effort or decision-making; and
• providing direct feedback.

Coaching must not involve:

• degrading humiliation;
• threats of physical harm;
• discriminatory abuse;
• inappropriate personal insults;
• sexualised comments;
• intentionally frightening a child; or
• punishment that creates an unreasonable physical or psychological safety risk.

15. Professional boundaries

Apex Football Group coaches, staff and other adults working with players must comply with the Player Safety & Safeguarding Policy.

Adults must not exploit their position of trust or authority to develop an inappropriate relationship with a player.

Secretive, sexual, exploitative or otherwise inappropriate adult-child relationships or communications are prohibited.

16. Match officials

Match officials engaged in Apex Super League activities are expected to:

• officiate impartially;
• treat players respectfully;
• communicate appropriately with children;
• maintain appropriate professional boundaries;
• apply competition rules reasonably;
• avoid abusive or discriminatory behaviour; and
• contribute to a safe match environment.

Concerns about a match official should be raised with Apex Football Group through the appropriate channel.

Behaviour that is never acceptable

17. Bullying

Bullying is not accepted.

This includes bullying:

• face-to-face;
• during training;
• during matches;
• through team communication channels;
• through the Parent Portal;
• through social media;
• through messaging services; or
• elsewhere where the behaviour is connected with Apex Super League.

Bullying may include repeated intimidation, humiliation, threats, deliberate exclusion, abuse or harassment.

18. Discrimination, vilification and harassment

Discriminatory abuse, harassment and vilification are not accepted within Apex Super League.

Participants must not target another person with abusive or degrading conduct because of a personal characteristic or perceived characteristic protected by applicable law.

Football banter does not excuse discriminatory abuse.

19. Violence and threatening behaviour

Deliberate violence outside the ordinary physical contact of football is prohibited.

This includes:

• fighting;
• punching;
• kicking another person outside legitimate play;
• deliberately attempting to injure someone;
• threatening physical violence; or
• physically intimidating another person.

Immediate protective or disciplinary action may be taken where Apex Football Group reasonably considers that conduct presents a safety risk.

20. Dangerous conduct

Players must not intentionally engage in conduct that creates an unreasonable risk of injury to another participant.

Normal physical challenges occurring within football are distinguished from deliberate dangerous behaviour.

Match officials and Apex Football Group may respond to dangerous conduct independently.

21. Language

Swearing or emotional language may sometimes occur in competitive sport, but language directed aggressively at another person may result in disciplinary action.

Particularly serious concerns include:

• threats;
• discriminatory slurs;
• sexualised comments;
• sustained personal abuse;
• bullying language; and
• language directed at humiliating a child.

Online and digital conduct

22. Online conduct

Standards of behaviour apply online as well as in person.

Players, parents, legal guardians, staff and other participants must not use digital platforms to:

• bully;
• threaten;
• harass;
• impersonate;
• humiliate;
• discriminate against;
• spread deliberately harmful content about; or
• inappropriately contact

another person connected with Apex Super League.

Online sporting environments can extend issues such as bullying, unwanted contact and harassment beyond the physical venue, which is why online conduct is part of the safeguarding framework.

23. Group chats and messaging

Where Apex Super League-related group chats or communication channels exist, users must communicate appropriately.

Participants must not:

• post abusive material;
• distribute inappropriate images;
• share another family's private information without authority;
• use a group chat to publicly attack a player, parent, referee or coach; or
• deliberately encourage harassment of another participant.

Administrative communication involving junior players should ordinarily follow the communication arrangements described in the Player Safety & Safeguarding Policy.

24. Parent Portal conduct

Information available through the Apex Super League Parent Portal must be used responsibly.

Users must not:

• attempt to access another family's private information;
• share protected information without authority;
• misuse match footage to bully or ridicule a child;
• extract information for an improper purpose;
• harass another participant through portal features; or
• interfere with the security or operation of the system.

Apex Football Group may restrict access where reasonably necessary to protect privacy, safety or system security.

25. Photography and videography

Photography and videography are governed by the Media & Recording Policy.

Participants must not use photographs or videos captured in connection with Apex Super League in a manner that:

• bullies or humiliates a child;
• sexualises a child;
• creates an unreasonable child-safety risk;
• reveals sensitive private information without authority; or
• otherwise breaches the Media & Recording Policy.

26. Changing rooms, toilets and private areas

Photography or videography is prohibited in:

• toilets;
• showers;
• changing areas while players are changing; and
• other spaces where a person would reasonably expect privacy.

Participants must respect the privacy of children and other individuals in these areas.

Venues, substances and privacy

27. Facilities and equipment

Players, parents, spectators and staff must treat venues and equipment appropriately.

Deliberate damage, theft or serious misuse of:

• football equipment;
• facilities;
• changing rooms;
• goals;
• signage;
• technology; or
• another person's property

may result in disciplinary action and, where appropriate, recovery of losses to the extent permitted by law.

28. Alcohol, smoking, vaping and illegal drugs

Players must not participate while affected by alcohol or illegal drugs.

Adults must comply with venue rules and applicable law concerning alcohol, smoking and vaping.

Smoking or vaping must not occur in prohibited areas or in circumstances inconsistent with maintaining an appropriate junior sporting environment.

Illegal drug use or distribution is prohibited at Apex Super League activities.

29. Weapons and dangerous items

Weapons or intentionally dangerous items must not be brought to Apex Super League activities except where lawfully carried by an authorised person performing an official role.

Any immediate safety concern may be referred to venue security, police or another appropriate authority.

30. Respect for privacy

Personal information obtained through participation in Apex Super League must be treated responsibly.

Participants must not knowingly misuse another person's:

• private contact information;
• medical information;
• Parent Portal information;
• account credentials; or
• other private information.

Personal information is otherwise handled in accordance with the Privacy Policy.

Child safety and speaking up

31. Child safety

Everyone involved in Apex Super League has a role in contributing to a child-safe environment.

A person who becomes aware of a genuine concern about the safety or welfare of a child should follow the Player Safety & Safeguarding Policy.

A Code of Conduct is specifically recognised in WA child-safe guidance as an important way to establish clear behavioural expectations, and WA guidance links complaint processes directly to breaches of the Code.

32. Speaking up

Players should be able to raise a concern where behaviour makes them feel:

• unsafe;
• uncomfortable;
• intimidated;
• bullied;
• threatened; or
• worried about another person.

A genuine concern raised in good faith should be taken seriously.

WA's child-safe framework emphasises that children and young people should be informed about their rights, participate in decisions affecting them and be taken seriously.

33. Raising a concern

Concerns about behaviour under this Code may be raised with an appropriate Apex Football Group coach or staff member or through the contact information provided by Apex Football Group.

Where the concern involves child safety, abuse, grooming or other safeguarding matters, the procedures in the Player Safety & Safeguarding Policy should be followed.

Where a child is in immediate danger, call 000.

34. Immediate action

Apex Football Group may take immediate temporary action where reasonably necessary to protect:

• a child;
• another participant;
• a match official;
• staff;
• spectators; or
• the safe operation of an activity.

Temporary protective action may be taken before a final disciplinary decision has been made.

Taking temporary protective action does not necessarily mean that an allegation has been proven.

Breaches and consequences

35. Breaches of this Code

A breach of this Code may result in action depending on the nature, seriousness and circumstances of the behaviour.

Apex Football Group may take action including:

• discussion or guidance;
• a verbal or written warning;
• behavioural conditions;
• requiring an apology where appropriate;
• removal from an individual activity;
• substitution or match-related consequences where relevant;
• temporary suspension;
• spectator restrictions;
• restrictions on Parent Portal or digital access;
• reassignment where appropriate;
• removal from Apex Super League;
• termination of a worker or contractor engagement where applicable; or
• referral to an appropriate authority.

36. Factors considered when responding to conduct

Apex Football Group may consider matters including:

• the seriousness of the behaviour;
• whether the conduct was intentional;
• the person's age;
• the impact on another person;
• whether safety was compromised;
• whether the behaviour was repeated;
• previous warnings or incidents;
• safeguarding considerations;
• whether the person accepts responsibility; and
• any other relevant circumstances.

Responses do not have to be identical where circumstances are materially different.

37. Player disciplinary matters

When disciplinary action involves a child, Apex Football Group will seek to respond in a manner that is appropriate to the player's age and the circumstances.

The purpose of discipline may include:

• protecting others;
• maintaining standards;
• addressing behaviour;
• helping the player understand expectations; and
• preventing recurrence.

Player discipline must not involve abusive, humiliating or unsafe punishment.

38. Parent or spectator disciplinary matters

Where a parent or spectator breaches this Code, Apex Football Group may impose conditions on that person's attendance.

Depending on the circumstances, this may include:

• a warning;
• requiring the person to leave an activity;
• restricting sideline access;
• requiring communication through a nominated contact;
• temporary exclusion from particular activities; or
• longer-term spectator restrictions.

Where reasonably practicable, Apex Football Group will seek to avoid unnecessarily penalising a child for conduct committed solely by an adult associated with them.

39. Staff and coach breaches

Where an Apex Football Group coach, staff member, contractor or other worker breaches this Code, the matter may also be dealt with under employment, contractor, safeguarding or other applicable procedures.

Serious conduct involving children may be addressed under the Player Safety & Safeguarding Policy and referred externally where appropriate.

40. Procedural fairness

Where reasonably appropriate, a person facing significant disciplinary action will be informed of the substance of the concern and given an opportunity to respond before a final decision is made.

This does not prevent Apex Football Group from taking immediate temporary action where reasonably necessary for safety or safeguarding.

41. Serious incidents

Serious incidents may be referred to an appropriate external body.

Depending on the circumstances, this may include:

• police;
• emergency services;
• child-protection authorities;
• the Working with Children Screening Unit;
• a venue operator; or
• another relevant authority.

Apex Football Group does not need to resolve a matter internally before contacting emergency services or an appropriate authority where circumstances justify doing so.

42. Financial consequences of removal

Removal or suspension from Apex Super League does not automatically determine whether a refund, credit or outstanding payment remains applicable.

Any financial consequences will be considered under the Terms & Conditions, Trial, Cancellation & Refund Terms, Payment Plan Terms and applicable law.

43. No retaliation

A participant should not be bullied, threatened or disadvantaged merely because they raise a genuine concern about behaviour or child safety in good faith.

This does not prevent reasonable action where a person knowingly makes a deliberately false or malicious allegation.

Understanding and accepting the Code

44. Responsibility for understanding the Code

Parents and legal guardians should ensure that their child understands the parts of this Code relevant to them in an age-appropriate way.

Apex Football Group may also communicate standards directly to players, coaches, staff and other participants.

45. Acceptance of the Code

Acceptance of the applicable Apex Super League Terms & Conditions includes agreement to comply with this Code of Conduct where it applies to the participant.

Continued participation in Apex Super League is subject to compliance with reasonable conduct and safeguarding requirements.

46. Changes to this Code

Apex Football Group may update this Code of Conduct to reflect:

• changes in law;
• changes in safeguarding guidance;
• operational requirements;
• Apex Super League development; or
• improvements identified through experience.

The version applying to an existing registration will ordinarily be the version forming part of that registration, subject to reasonable safety or safeguarding requirements that may need to take immediate effect.

47. Contact

Questions or concerns regarding this Code of Conduct may be directed to:

• Apex Football Group
• ABN 34 672 323 867
• Email: info@apexsuperleague.com.au

Child-safety concerns should be reported through the contact process in the Player Safety & Safeguarding Policy.

If a child or another person is in immediate danger, call 000.