Codes of conduct

All codes of conduct on this page are based on the safety codes of the Sports Safety Center.

As a trainer and/or coach, you are responsible for creating the safest possible environment for your athletes and your team, where everyone can be themselves at their own level. You can do this by applying the following rules:

Create a Safe Environment: Establish an environment and atmosphere where social safety is ensured and perceived as such. Adhere to safety standards and requirements.
Know and Follow Rules and Guidelines: Stay informed about the rules and guidelines, and apply them. Enable your athletes to learn more about these rules. Do not improperly interfere with doping control procedures or investigations.
Be Honest About Experience and Roles: Provide all relevant facts when applying as a trainer, coach, or supervisor. You should also be able to provide a certificate of good conduct (VOG).
Be Aware of Power Imbalance: Be mindful of power imbalances and potential dependency, and do not misuse your position. Refrain from any form of power abuse, emotional abuse, or physical misconduct, including sexually inappropriate remarks, touches, and/or sexual abuse. Any sexual act, contact, or relationship with minors is strictly forbidden. You are required to report any sexual harassment or abuse.
Respect Athletes’ Privacy: Do not intrude into the private lives of athletes more than necessary. Respect the athlete and the spaces they occupy, such as locker rooms or showers.
Treat Everyone with Respect: Refrain from making discriminatory, belittling, or intimidating remarks and behavior. Do not discriminate based on religion, belief, political affiliation, race, gender, sexual orientation, cultural background, age, or other characteristics. Include everyone and be tolerant.
Be a Role Model: Conduct yourself courteously and respectfully, and refrain from making offensive or insulting comments that could bring the sport into disrepute.
Avoid Conflicts of Interest: Do not accept favors, gifts, services, or payments to do or refrain from doing something that conflicts with the integrity of the sport. If you are offered something, report it to the board.
Ensure Compliance: Make sure everyone follows the regulations, house rules, and code of conduct.
Stay Alert: Be vigilant and alert to warning signs and do not hesitate to report them to the board or one of the designated confidants.
Be Cautious: Never share information that has not been made public and that could be used in betting. Do not bet on the sport in which you are involved.
Avoid Alcohol During Coaching: Do not consume alcohol while coaching or training.

Athletes

You play sports because you enjoy it, so ensure it remains enjoyable. Not just for yourself, but for others on your team/training group and your opponents as well. We treat each other with respect; everyone participates and can be themselves. You can do this by applying the following rules:

Be Open: If you're asked to do something that goes against your own feelings, norms, and values, report it, for example, to the board or one of the designated confidants. Also, report it if you are asked to cheat.
Respect Others: Show respect for everyone, including opponents, teammates, referees, trainers, spectators, and others. Watch your language and how you present yourself to others. Make sure everyone feels free to move around.
Respect Agreements: Be on time, notify (in a timely manner) if you can't make it, listen to instructions, and follow the rules.
Take Care of the Environment: Don’t damage anything, respect everyone’s property, leave the locker room tidy, put away the equipment, and dispose of trash properly.
Respect Personal Boundaries: Outside of normal sports activities, do not touch anyone against their will.
Follow the Rules: Read the regulations, house rules, this code of conduct, and other agreements, and adhere to them.
Treat Everyone with Respect: Avoid making discriminatory, belittling, or intimidating remarks and behavior. Include everyone and be tolerant.
Do Not Discriminate: Do not discriminate based on religion, belief, political affiliation, race, gender, sexual orientation, cultural background, age, or other characteristics.
Be Honest and Fair: Do not cheat, use verbal or physical violence, or doping. Do not participate in match-fixing, whether it’s a competition, a record, or even a moment like the first service. Do not bet on your own matches.
Report Violations: Report any violations of these codes to the board.
Drink Alcohol in Moderation: After sports, drink alcohol in moderation and do not drink if you still need to participate in traffic.

Board members

As a board member, you ensure that everyone can participate and be themselves. Set a good example by following these rules of conduct:

Create a Safe Environment: Establish an environment and atmosphere where social safety is ensured and perceived as such.
Be Service-Oriented: Always act in the interest of the association and focus on the members' best interests.
Be Open: Act as transparently as possible, so that it is easy to account for and explain your actions and motivations.
Be Reliable: Stick to the rules and agreements, such as statutes, regulations, and decisions of the national association. Use information only for the organization's purposes. Declare that you do not use confidential information for personal gain or the benefit of others.
Act with Care: Act with respect and prioritize equal treatment. Weigh interests correctly and be careful when mentioning experience and roles. Handle confidential information carefully and correctly. Justify board decisions well, so that the chosen direction is understood.
Avoid Conflicts of Interest: Do not hold side positions or engage in financial interests that conflict with your role. Avoid the appearance of favoritism in collaborative forms and relationships contrary to fair competition. Do not accept gifts or donations intended to provide a personal advantage. Do not give gifts in your capacity as a board member, offer services, or make promises to do or refrain from doing something.
Be a Role Model: Conduct yourself courteously and respectfully, and refrain from making offensive or insulting comments that could bring the sport into disrepute.
Enforce Compliance: Work diligently to ensure that all athletes and supervisors comply with regulations regarding doping, sexual harassment, and match-fixing. Athletes and supervisors must be bound by disciplinary rules, for example.
Take Reports of Misconduct Seriously: Take reports and signs of improper and boundary-crossing behavior seriously. Work to keep the issue of integrity on the agenda. Ensure a certain degree of alertness within the organization for improper and/or boundary-crossing behavior. Encourage reporting of undesirable behavior. Act promptly against violations of rules and norms by athletes, employees, supporters, and others.
Avoid Match-Fixing: Be aware of the risks of match-fixing and act accordingly. Do not bet on a sport you are involved in. Do not provide information that has not been made public about a match or aspect of a match you are involved in to bookmakers or others.
Ensure Compliance: Ensure that everyone complies with the regulations, house rules, and code of conduct.

Referees and officials

As a referee or official, you ensure that the match runs smoothly and fairly. Set a good example by applying the following rules of conduct:

Treat Everyone with Respect: Always treat everyone involved with respect.
Create a Safe Environment: Ensure a safe environment in and around the match. Create an environment and atmosphere where social safety is ensured and perceived as such. Adhere to safety standards and requirements.
Organize Good Cooperation: Work well with other officials involved in the match.
Be Service-Oriented: Facilitate the smooth conduct of the match and enforce policies regarding sportsmanship.
Enforce Rules and Norms: Ensure that regulations, house rules, this code of conduct, and other standards are followed.
Be Open: Act as transparently as possible so that it is easy to account for and explain your actions and motivations.
Be a Role Model: Conduct yourself courteously and respectfully, and refrain from making offensive or insulting comments that could bring the sport into disrepute, including on social media.
Avoid Conflicts of Interest: Do not accept favors, gifts, services, or goods from opponents, trainers/coaches, board members, or third parties to do or refrain from doing something that conflicts with the integrity of the sport. If you are offered something, report it to the board.
Do Not Offer Favors: Do not offer favors, services, or payments to opponents, trainers/coaches, board members, or third parties to do or refrain from doing something that conflicts with the integrity of the sport.
Be Collegial: Be supportive of other referees and officials, even when you are a spectator at a colleague's match.
Be Aware of Match-Fixing Risks: Act cautiously and report any signs of match-fixing to the sports association.