NG Academy CODE OF CONDUCT AND GOOD BEHAVIOUR AGREEMENT
This agreement applies to every player participating in or representing NG Academy and to the parent, legal guardian or authorised carer accepting this agreement on the player's behalf.
It applies at training sessions, matches, tournaments, competitions, Academy events, team activities, travel organised or supervised by NG Academy and whenever a player, parent, guardian or supporter is representing NG Academy.
By accepting this agreement, players and families agree to support a safe, respectful and positive environment and to follow the standards below.
1. Respect for people
Players, parents, guardians and supporters must treat all players, coaches, volunteers, officials, opponents, parents and spectators with respect.
Abusive, threatening, intimidating, bullying, discriminatory, racist, sexually inappropriate, offensive or harassing language or behaviour will not be accepted.
Physical violence, deliberate aggression, threats, intimidation or retaliation against another person are not permitted.
These expectations apply in person, online and through social media or messaging platforms.
2. Respect for referees and officials
Players, parents and supporters must respect the decisions of referees, umpires and match officials.
No person may abuse, threaten, intimidate, aggressively approach or confront an official during or after a match.
Concerns about an official or match should be raised calmly through the appropriate competition, tournament or Academy process.
3. Parent, guardian and supporter behaviour
Parents, guardians and supporters are expected to encourage players positively and behave respectfully at all NG Academy activities.
Parents and supporters must not:
• continually coach or instruct players from the sideline unless authorised by NG Academy
• abuse, ridicule or publicly criticise a player, coach, official, opponent or another parent
• enter the field of play, team bench, change room or restricted area unless authorised
• behave aggressively or create an intimidating or unsafe environment
• interfere with coaching decisions, match management or the operation of an Academy activity.
Parents and guardians are expected to make reasonable efforts to ensure family members and supporters attending with them also follow these standards.
4. Child safety
NG Academy is committed to providing a safe environment for children and young people.
Bullying, physical violence, grooming, sexualised behaviour, harassment, discrimination, inappropriate contact or any behaviour that may place a child at risk will not be accepted.
Players are encouraged to tell a coach, parent or trusted adult if they feel unsafe, uncomfortable, threatened or bullied.
Parents and players must report genuine child safety concerns to NG Academy as soon as reasonably possible.
No person should be threatened, disadvantaged or retaliated against for raising a genuine safety concern.
Serious concerns may be reported to the relevant governing body, child safety authority, police or another appropriate authority where required.
Victoria's Child Safe Standards require organisations working with children to address child safety through policies, codes of conduct, complaint processes and risk-management practices, so this Code should form part of your broader child-safety system rather than being the only document.
5. Safety and fair play
Players must follow the Laws of the Game, coaching instructions, venue requirements and reasonable safety directions given by NG Academy.
Players must not intentionally or recklessly behave in a way that creates an unreasonable risk of injury to themselves or another person.
Players must use equipment appropriately and must not participate in dangerous, reckless or deliberately violent behaviour.
NG Academy may stop a player from training, playing or continuing an activity where the coach reasonably believes the player may be injured, unwell, unsafe or placing another person at risk.
6. Participation and risk of injury
Football, futsal, training and other sporting activities involve physical activity and contact and therefore involve an unavoidable risk of injury.
Possible injuries may include strains, sprains, cuts, bruising, fractures, joint injuries, head injuries, concussion and other injuries. In rare circumstances, serious injury may occur.
By allowing the player to participate, the parent or guardian acknowledges that these risks cannot be completely removed even when reasonable safety precautions are taken.
Players are expected to participate responsibly, follow instructions and immediately report an injury, accident or unsafe condition.
A player must not knowingly continue participating when injured or medically unfit where doing so may place the player or another person at unreasonable risk.
Nothing in this agreement is intended to remove any legal right that cannot lawfully be excluded or limited.
7. Injuries, illness and medical conditions
Parents and guardians are responsible for providing NG Academy with relevant and accurate information about any injury, illness, allergy, medical condition or restriction that may affect the player's safe participation.
NG Academy should be informed when a player's medical circumstances materially change.
Parents must not knowingly allow a player to participate contrary to medical advice.
Where a doctor, physiotherapist or other appropriately qualified health professional has imposed a restriction or return-to-play requirement, that requirement must be followed.
NG Academy may request medical clearance before allowing a player to return where there is a reasonable concern about the player's safety.
8. Concussion and head injuries
Any suspected concussion or significant head injury must be taken seriously.
Players must report symptoms such as headache, dizziness, confusion, blurred vision, nausea, loss of balance or unusual behaviour following a head impact.
A player suspected of concussion may be removed from participation and must not return merely because the player, parent or team wants them to continue.
Any applicable medical advice, competition concussion protocol or return-to-play requirement must be followed.
9. Emergency medical assistance
If a player becomes injured or seriously unwell during an NG Academy activity, NG Academy may provide reasonable first aid and seek emergency medical assistance where considered necessary.
Where a parent or guardian cannot be contacted immediately, the parent or guardian authorises NG Academy representatives to obtain reasonable emergency medical assistance for the player.
Where reasonably possible, NG Academy will attempt to contact the player's parent or emergency contact.
Any ambulance, hospital, medical or related costs remain the responsibility of the parent or guardian except where another person or insurer is legally responsible for those costs.
10. Personal responsibility and supervision
Players must listen to coaches and follow reasonable instructions relating to safety and behaviour.
Parents remain responsible for ensuring that NG Academy has correct emergency contact and relevant medical information.
Parents must also ensure appropriate arrangements are made for collecting their child at the end of an activity.
A player must not leave an organised activity without appropriate permission where supervision is required.
11. Attendance and communication
Players should attend agreed training sessions, matches and tournaments and arrive at the requested time.
If a player cannot attend, the coach should be informed as early as reasonably possible.
Players should arrive with the correct clothing, footwear, protective equipment, water and other equipment requested for the activity.
Repeated unexplained absence, lateness or failure to communicate may be discussed with the player and parent or guardian.
12. Alcohol, drugs, smoking and vaping
Junior players must not possess or use alcohol, tobacco products, vaping products, illegal drugs or prohibited substances while participating in or representing NG Academy.
Parents and supporters must not attend an Academy activity while intoxicated to a level that may affect their behaviour or the safety and wellbeing of players or others.
Illegal substances are not permitted at NG Academy activities.
13. Social media, messaging, photography and video
Players, parents and supporters must use social media and messaging platforms responsibly.
No person may use social media or electronic communication to bully, threaten, harass, humiliate or target another player, child, coach, official, opponent, parent or NG Academy.
Private information about another child or participant must not be published without appropriate permission.
Photography or video must never be taken in change rooms, toilets or other areas where a person reasonably expects privacy.
Use of a player's image by NG Academy for promotional or communication purposes is handled separately through the NG Academy Photo and Media Consent.
14. Academy property and venues
Players and families must respect NG Academy equipment, uniforms, grounds, change rooms, tournament facilities and other property used by the Academy.
Damage, unsafe equipment or facility problems should be reported as soon as possible.
Deliberate or reckless damage may result in disciplinary action.
Where legally appropriate, NG Academy may seek recovery of reasonable costs associated with deliberate damage caused by a participant.
15. Concerns and complaints
Concerns regarding coaching, team selection, playing time, another player, another parent, an official or an Academy matter should be raised privately and respectfully with NG Academy.
Concerns should not be argued about from the sideline or in front of children and should not be pursued through abusive or inappropriate social media posts.
NG Academy will aim to consider concerns fairly and provide relevant people with a reasonable opportunity to explain what occurred where appropriate.
Nothing in this section prevents a person from reporting a serious safety, child protection or criminal concern directly to an appropriate authority.
16. Breaches and disciplinary action
NG Academy may take reasonable action where this Code is breached or where behaviour presents a safety or welfare concern.
Depending on the circumstances, action may include:
• discussion with the player or parent
• verbal or written warning
• removal from a training session, match, tournament or event
• conditions being placed on future participation
• temporary suspension
• exclusion of a parent or supporter from an activity
• removal of the player from NG Academy.
NG Academy may take immediate temporary action where it reasonably considers this necessary to protect a child, participant, coach, official or other person while an incident is reviewed.
Serious misconduct may also be reported to a tournament organiser, venue operator, football governing body, child safety authority, police or another appropriate authority.
17. Player responsibility
Players are expected to:
• respect teammates, coaches, officials, opponents and supporters
• listen to coaches and follow reasonable instructions
• play fairly and safely
• report injuries and unsafe situations
• tell a trusted adult if they feel unsafe, bullied or uncomfortable
• represent NG Academy positively
• take responsibility for their own behaviour.
18. Parent and guardian responsibility
Parents and guardians agree to support their child and help them understand and follow this Code.
Parents agree to provide relevant medical and emergency information honestly and keep that information reasonably current.
Parents should raise concerns directly and respectfully with NG Academy.
Parents acknowledge that participation in football and futsal involves physical activity and carries inherent risks of injury that cannot be completely eliminated.
Parents agree to support reasonable decisions made by NG Academy concerning player safety, injuries, concussion and removal from participation.
AGREEMENT
By accepting this agreement, I confirm that:
• I am the player's parent or legal guardian or otherwise have legal authority to accept this agreement on the player's behalf.
• I have read this Code of Conduct and Good Behaviour Agreement.
• I have read it with the player, or explained the relevant parts to the player in a way appropriate to their age.
• I understand the standards of behaviour expected from the player, myself and supporters attending with us.
• I understand that football, futsal and related training and competition involve physical activity and an inherent risk of injury.
• I agree to provide relevant information concerning injuries, medical conditions and restrictions that may affect the player's safe participation.
• I authorise reasonable first aid and emergency medical assistance where required.
• I understand that NG Academy may prevent or stop a player's participation where there is a reasonable safety or welfare concern.
• I understand that serious or repeated breaches of this Code may result in suspension, exclusion or removal from NG Academy.
• I agree to support NG Academy in maintaining a safe, respectful and positive environment.
PLAYER ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
Where appropriate for the player's age and understanding:
I have read this Code or had it explained to me.
I understand how I am expected to behave.
I agree to respect other players, coaches, officials and families.
I agree to listen to safety instructions and tell an adult if I am injured or feel unsafe.
I understand that I may be removed from an activity if my behaviour is unsafe or seriously breaches this Code.
I agree to represent NG Academy respectfully.
NG Academy Code of Conduct and Good Behaviour Agreement
Version 1.0
Effective: September 2026
