Code of Conduct

BDAFA is committed to providing a safe environment for participation in our sport. Angry, aggressive or other inappropriate behaviour by members, their families and friends and other participants or spectators while attending a BDAFA match or event will not be tolerated.
These behaviours are outlined in our Codes of Conduct and By-laws and specifically include (but are not limited to):

  • persistently challenging the decisions or performance of match officials;
  • using offensive, insulting or abusive language;
  • harassing or ridiculing players, team officials, match officials or other spectators;
  • making racist, religious, sexist or other inappropriate comments to players, team officials, match officials or other spectators;
  • any threatening behaviour or physical altercation between spectators and players, team officials, match officials or other spectators; and
  • putting undue pressure on children, berating them or putting down their performance.

Where officials are mentioned, the protection of this policy is considered by BDAFA to extend to all team officials (coaches, managers, team marshals etc), match officials (referees, ground marshals etc), Club officials (Club committee personnel) and Association or parent
body officials (BDAFA committee personnel, Football NSW personnel etc).

BDAFA encourages the reporting of misconduct and has empowered a Tribunal to properly investigate and deal with incidents of inappropriate behaviour. All reports should be submitted in writing to your Club Secretary. Ground marshals and team marshals are
required at every BDAFA-sanctioned fixture to monitor behaviour and ensure the safety and security of all participants. Police may also be called where situations become unsafe or where illegal behaviour is occurring.

Parents or other spectators who are found to have behaved inappropriately may face disciplinary action. In cases where such persons are not registered Club members, action may be taken against those individuals, teams or Clubs to which the person has a relationship. Such penalties may include bonds, fines, loss of competition points, and/or suspensions of players, teams or Clubs. The power to impose sanctions in this way is derived from the FFA National Code of Conduct and from Football NSW Rules and Regulations.

This policy is not aimed at stifling or diminishing healthy supportive cheering or the ability of all participants to enjoy ‘the beautiful game’. A better standard of behaviour from all people will make the sport more enjoyable for players, officials and spectators alike.

ALL Clubs and players should make their families, friends and other spectators aware that participation in our sport is a privilege which can be revoked due to the misconduct of spectators. Spectators who feel that they cannot refrain from the above behaviour should be asked not to attend.