Anti-Bullying

LCFC is committed to providing players with a fun, positive, and secure environment to learn and enjoy the game of soccer. We do not tolerate bullying at any practice, game, or other LCFC-sanctioned event. We will promote a TELLING atmosphere. This means anyone who knows that bullying is occurring is expected to report the incident. Players and parents should be assured they will be supported when bullying is reported.

Definition of Bullying

Bullying is defined as conduct, gestures, or comments which are insulting, intimidating, humiliating, hurtful, malicious, degrading, or otherwise offensive to a player, group of players, and/or teammates and which create a hostile or intimidating environment or which negatively affects a player’s physical and/or emotional well-being. Bullying is any written, verbal or physical act, or any electronic communication, whether a single incident or a series of incidents, that results in intentional pain and distress to the victim.

Signs and Symptoms

• A child may indicate he or she is being bullied through various signs and symptoms. While some children are prone to report bullying to their parents, coaches, or adults, others will not due to fear, intimidation, or other factors. Coaches and parents should be aware of possible signs indicating that bullying may be taking place. These signs and behaviors could indicate other problems, but bullying should be considered possible and investigated. For a list of potential signs of bullying, please consult this list.
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Procedures for Parents, Coaches, and the Executive Director

• Parents should report bullying incidents to the team coach or manager. If the problem persists, contact the LCFC Coaching Director. If necessary and appropriate, police may be consulted.
• In all cases of reported bullying, the player’s parents shall be informed immediately. They may be asked to discuss the incident with the respective team coach and/or coaching director. In all cases, strict confidentiality shall be maintained. It is not our goal to make a public example of reported incidents.
• The negative behavior must be investigated, and the bullying stopped immediately. The parents of any player reported to be bullying will be contacted immediately by the respective team coach or LCFC Coaching Director and asked to discuss the incident to help the bully or bullies change their behavior.

Consequences of Bullying

• In a first-offense situation involving bullying, an attempt will be made to encourage the bully (or bullies) to modify their behavior for their benefit, the benefit of the person bullied, and the team. An attempt will be made by the coach, manager, or parent(s) to reconcile the situation between players (age and level of maturity and or severity of offense must be considered).
• If the bullying persists, disciplinary action against a player may be taken by the team coach and/or LCFC Executive Director, which may include but is not limited to, immediate suspension from participation in practices or game(s) for a period of time.
• After the incident/incidents have been investigated and addressed, the situation will continue to be monitored by the respective team coach, team manager, and players’ parents to ensure the problem is resolved.

Coaching

Coach Expectations

All LCFC coaching staff members are to see themselves as role models and ambassadors for the Club.  We ask that our coaches be aware of how they represent themselves, their team, and LCFC. It is  imperative that our coaches are respectful to all around them, including parents, opposing teams, and  referees. 

We expect our coaches to exhibit professional behavior on and off the field at all times. Disciplinary  action will be taken against any coaching staff member whose actions bring the Club into disrepute. 

LCFC coaches should aspire to be experts in player development and seek feedback and education, both  formal and informal, that will help them down that path. We provide a variety of educational opportunities  and resources for our coaches, including the coaching portal, to help our coaches be the best they can  be. 

We ask that our coaches prepare for training by reviewing the session and curriculum materials  provided. LCFC coaches must embrace the Club philosophy, and take pride in the development of each  player assigned to them. We are committed to building a consistent style of play across our  programming with the help of our dedicated coaches.

Coach Right to Refuse

LCFC reserves the right to refuse any coaches for any reason except for reasons of race, color, national  origin, age, disability, sex, gender identity, religion, reprisal, political beliefs, marital status, familial or  parental status, sexual orientation, or if all or part of an individual’s income is derived from any public  assistance programs. Most importantly, most reasons include perpetual negative or abusive sideline  behavior. 

Coach Right to Terminate

The Club reserves the right to remove any volunteer coach or paid coach for any reason. Additional  action may be required, including banning coaches from attending games as spectators and removing  any future coaching rights. If coaches refuse to cooperate, they and their children may be banned from  the club immediately and possibly permanently. Any further refusal to cooperate can result in police  interaction. 

Reasons for removal

-Violations of the Code of Conduct: Engaging in unsportsmanlike behavior, disrespecting officials or players, or using inappropriate language.

-Abuse or Mistreatment: Verbally or physically abusing players, or coaching in an unsafe manner.

-Refusal to Cooperate: Refusing to comply with league or club rules, or instructions from officials or club staff.

-Failure to fulfill duties: Neglecting responsibilities like holding practices, communicating with parents, or providing adequate player development.

-Putting Winning Above Player Welfare: Pressuring injured players to play, focusing solely on winning at the expense of player development, or fostering a negative environment.

Coach Sideline Behavior Policy

LCFC has a zero-tolerance policy regarding aggressive coach sideline behavior. Excessive coaching is  strongly discouraged and only positive reinforcement should be provided to our players by coaches and  sideline spectators. Coaches may be removed from the program for consistent violations of this  philosophy. 

Playing Time & Commitment Expectations

Playing Time

• At the Academy and Select levels of play, playing time needs to be earned by the players.  Coaches will have the discretion to field the most competitive team. Players are being  evaluated based on their work ethic, commitment, attitude, coachability, and performance. With that said, Academy players can expect about 60% playing time or more; Select players under the age of 13 should expect at least 50% playing time in all matches. Select players at or above the age of 13 will earn playing strictly on merit. Coaches may withhold playing time at their discretion if the player is not following team rules.

• Please do not approach your coaches immediately after a game to discuss playing time. If a conversation is needed, you are required to wait at least 24 hours before setting up time and your child must be present. We do expect players to drive this process. This is a skill  set that will serve young people well in high school, college, and in life. 

Training & Attendance Expectations

• All soccer players who accept a roster spot on LCFC Academy & Select teams must  understand that they are not only making a commitment to their own development, they are  making a commitment to their teammates and coaches as well. Soccer is a team sport and  each players’ commitment level can either enhance or detract from the environment that  ultimately impacts the development and future opportunities of all players on the team. 

• Absences that are excused in advance by the head coach will not count against player attendance. We expect proactive and transparent communication directly from players so we can work together to problem solve around conflicts. Marking a player unavailable for a practice or a game is sufficient for prior notice. 
• Failing to meet minimum attendance may result in reduced game playing time, and/or withheld game opportunities.

Force Majeure

Lake Country Football Club shall not be liable or responsible for refunds for failure, cancellation,  suspension, postponement, delay, or shortening in services resulting from a Force Majeure Event,  inclusive of causes beyond its reasonable control, including, but not limited to acts of God; field closures;  labor disputes; equipment failure; war; terrorism; riot; acts of civil or military authorities; epidemics;  floods; fires; unusual severe weather conditions; accidents; or other contingencies the non-occurrence of  which was a basic assumption on which the registration was made. 

Guest Playing

Players in the LCFC must ask for permission from the appropriate Director of Coaching to participate in  outside events with other clubs. The technical staff wants to ensure players are getting enough rest and  are fulfilling the training-to-game ratio set forth at the beginning of each year. 

To manage the player’s development and time on the field, the Directors will approve or not approve the  request. If the request is approved, the director must fill out guest player paperwork and provide the  player pass. 

Makeup Sessions

Sessions/games/practices may be required to be played on non-traditional days, including Sundays,  weekdays, and doubleheaders. Game and practice schedules may be changed throughout the season  due to, but not limited to, teams folding, bye weeks, quality of fields, lack of fields, weather, and other instances that may be out of our control. LCFC aims to provide a safe and  positive environment for all our teams. 

Media Release

LCFC reserves the right to use photographs, video, voice, and likeness of players, parents, coaches, and  referees participating in our programming without compensation. The media obtained by LCFC may be  used on our website, social media, publications, etc. By participating in LCFC Youth Soccer, members  agree to the following statement: 

“I grant Lake Country Football Club and their respective successors and assign the perpetual worldwide and  royalty-free rights to use my child’s voice, photograph, and likeness in any media related to my performance  in or observation of the club, including, without limitation, a videotape recording of such programming  without compensation to me, or my personal representatives, assigns, heirs, children, dependents, spouse,  and relatives.” 

Movement Between Teams

LCFC finds it very important to ensure all players are playing at the correct level and being challenged  just enough to help their development. Sometimes the coaching staff will find the best option to be  moving a player to a new environment. 

If a player is moved, this can result in an increase or decrease in fees for the remainder of the season or  year. As soon as the appropriate director approves this move of coaching, your player will be moved into the system, and the fees will be updated according to the number of games and events left for the new  team. 

No Solicitation Policy

Any solicitations, promotions, distributions of written or other materials, or any other advertisement not  previously approved by the LCFC is strictly prohibited at practices, games, or other activities sponsored  by the club. 

Non-Discrimination

LCFC does not discriminate against its members, players, coaches, parents, or referees based on race,  color, national origin, age, disability, sex, gender identity, religion, reprisal, political beliefs, marital status,  familial or parental status, sexual orientation, or if all or part of an individual’s income is derived from any public assistance programs. 

Parent Code of Conduct

Youth soccer is for the players. All parents associated with LCFC are invited to share the pleasure of  watching their children participate in the world’s most popular sport, so long as their behavior does not  distract the players and officials from the free flow of play, which is the sport’s trademark. LCFC prides itself on having respectful and engaged families, and we ask that parents and guardians continue to adhere to these guidelines. 

A parent or guardian should:

• Foster an environment of respect for referees, players, coaches, and spectators of the  opposing team through words of encouragement and support.

• Applaud play, effort, and sportsmanship by players on both teams.

• Support your coaches, managers, and club consistently regardless of the results on the field. Coaches contribute many hours of their time to your children. They deserve your congratulations when the team wins and your encouragement when the team doesn’t. 

• Communicate concerns to the coach at the appropriate time (recommended 24-hour cool off period) away from the playing location and players.

• Always remain at least two yards from the playing field so our young players have room to play and enjoy the game.

• Your cooperation with these standards before, during, and after each game or practice will make LCFC more enjoyable for everyone.

• Encourage your athlete to practice their skills at home! The more they play, the better they’ll perform.

A parent or guardian must:

• Never use foul language or obscene gestures at a game or practice site.
• Avoid comments and gestures that express disagreement with referee decisions.
• Cooperate with any request by the game officials.
• Set a good example for our players

A parent or guardian understands that:

• Any parent or spectator who fails to adhere to these standards will be required to leave the playing area, and play will be suspended until he or she does so.
• LCFC reserves the right to suspend or terminate a player’s enrollment for his or her parent’s persistent or extreme misbehavior, and there will be no refunds of player fees in such cases.
• Parents or guardians are responsible for their guests’ behavior and must inform their guests of the applicable rules of conduct.

Any breaches of this Code of Conduct can result in your child’s suspension and a member’s removal from LCFC. Comments and behavior of any member which contradicts the mission statement or disrupts the functioning of a team can result in suspension and/or removal from the LCFC.

Player Policies

Player Failure to Place Policy

Registration of your child with LCFC does not guarantee a place in the Club’s Programs. As we do our  best to give as many players the ability to play as possible, there may be instances where your child will  be turned away. Such instances include, but are not limited to, the inability to create enough teams due  to a lack of players, inability to find a coach, late registrations, unsuccessful payments, and missing  payment deadlines. 

Player Pick-Up Policy

LCFC paid coaches are required, and our volunteer coaches are requested to stay on the field until the  last player is picked up. This policy applies to players from age 4 through age 18 and is designed to  ensure your child’s safety. 

Additionally, all coaches are requested to have a “two-deep” player policy, meaning coaches should never  find themselves in a position being alone with a child. As a result, it is important that parents and  guardians drop off and pick up their players from practice on time. 

While we understand that many parents have hectic schedules and getting to and from practices can  present challenges, it is important to note that we rely on many volunteers and professional coaches  who similarly have demanding schedules and often must leave immediately following your child’s  practice. Should a coach need to leave the field area while children are still present, children may only be  left with an adult (including parents) who has completed a volunteer disclosure form and submitted the  form to LCFC prior. You can find our Volunteer Disclosure form on our website. 

Player Right to Refuse Policy

LCFC reserves the right to refuse participation for any reason except for reasons of race, color, national  origin, age, disability, sex, gender identity, religion, reprisal, political beliefs, marital status, familial or  parental status, sexual orientation, or if all or part of an individual’s income is derived from any public  assistance programs. 

Most importantly, most reasons include perpetual negative or abusive parent/guardian or player behavior  or repeated non-payment of registration fees without resolving to cure.

Release of Information

It is the Lake Country Football Clubs policy not to release any information regarding any participants participation within Club structured programming, including, but not limited to, team name, practice date, practice time, practice location, game date, game time, game location, coach name, coach contact information, or any other information about the player’s participation in LCFC.

Information in PlayMetrics of the player’s account will only be released to the contact person. If you’d like information released to additional guardians or individuals, please have the main contact person on the account add those individuals to the account or email emily@lakecountryfc.com to add them.

Uniform Policy

LCFC official apparel and equipment sponsor is FLITE. This relationship is critical to the success of both  on and off-site programming. All uniforms, training gear, cold weather gear, bags, and training should  ONLY be provided from the Club/Flite. New uniforms must be purchased on a 2-year cycle regardless of  need. The Club will assign uniform numbers.