JK Vändra Vaprus Parent Code of Conduct and Behavioural Guidelines

JK Vändra Vaprus aims to provide every child with a safe, supportive and developmental football environment. A child's development is best supported by good cooperation and mutual trust between the child, parent, coach and club.

Parents play an important role in this. Through our behaviour, attitude and example, we help shape an environment where children can develop both as footballers and as individuals.

1. Support your child and take an interest in their activities

Be your child's supporter and encourager. Whenever possible, attend their matches and tournaments and show positive support for the team.

Acknowledge your child primarily for their effort, development, learning and contribution to the team – regardless of the match result.

After training or a match, show interest in your child's experience. Good questions include:

  • What did you learn today?
  • What went well for you?
  • What was challenging?
  • What did you enjoy the most today?

Football should first and foremost provide children with the joy of playing and the desire to continue developing.

2. Be a Role Model for Your Child

Children learn a great deal by observing the behaviour of adults.

Be polite and respectful towards your child, their teammates, opponents, coaches, referees and other parents.

Control your emotions, even in tense match situations. Avoid derogatory remarks, shouting, blaming, and commenting on referees' decisions.

Making mistakes is part of the development process for players, coaches and referees alike.

Always adhere to the principles of fair play.

3. Trust the Coach and Respect Their Role

During training and matches, it is the coach who instructs the players.

Parents should not give tactical or technical instructions to their child from the sidelines, nor interfere with the conduct of training.

Simultaneous instructions from multiple sources can confuse the child and make learning more difficult.

Respect the coach's decisions regarding, among other things:

  • the organisation of training;
  • team selection;
  • player positions;
  • playing time;
  • player movement between training groups;
  • the individual development path of the player.

A player's transfer to another group or any other important developmental decision is never random or one person's impulsive decision, but is considered with the child's and the team's long-term development in mind.

4. At Training Sessions

Bring your child to training on time, and if possible, with enough time to spare.

If your child cannot attend or will be late to training, inform the coach according to the procedure agreed upon in the team.

Ensure your child has clothing suitable for the weather and conditions, as well as the necessary equipment for training.

During training, parents must remain in the area designated by the coach or club. Parents should not be on the training pitch or interfere with the training process, unless requested by the coach.

Training is a place for your child to learn and become more independent. The older the child gets, the more they need the opportunity to act independently in the training environment.

5. At Competitions

Arrive at the match or tournament with your child at the time and place designated by the team.

During the match, stay in the area designated for spectators. If there are no stands, position yourself away from the technical areas and the substitutes’ benches.

Do not stay in the technical area, near the team’s bench or behind the goal if the competition regulations do not permit it.

Let the coach coach and your child play.

A parent's role during the match is to encourage and support, not to instruct.

Acknowledge good play and effort from both your own team and the opposition.

6. A Child’s Development Is More Important Than Results

Every child develops at a different pace, and their physical, technical and mental abilities are unique.

Do not constantly compare your child to other players.

Winning and results are a natural part of sport, but in youth football, the most important things are the child’s:

  • development;
  • learning;
  • effort;
  • self-confidence;
  • teamwork;
  • joy of playing;
  • desire to continue playing sports.

Losses, setbacks and mistakes are all part of the learning process.

7. Respect All Players

All children in the team deserve equal respect and support.

Do not criticise your child's teammates or make unfavourable comparisons.

Remember, comments made on the sidelines are often heard by both players and other parents.

Acknowledge the team's collective effort after both victories and defeats.

8. Communicate Properly When Problems Arise

The first point of contact for both child and parent regarding football-related matters is the team’s coach.

If you have a question or problem, discuss it calmly and privately with the coach.

Do not resolve disagreements:

  • during a match;
  • during training;
  • in front of other children or parents;
  • in an emotional social media post.

If no solution is found after speaking with the coach, contact the management or board of JK Vändra Vaprus.

The club always welcomes constructive suggestions that can help improve our activities.

9. Take Care of Your Child’s Health and Recovery

A child's athletic development does not depend solely on training.

Make sure that your child has:

  • balanced and adequate nutrition;
  • enough water;
  • sufficient sleep and rest;
  • opportunity to recover;
  • training clothing suitable for the weather.

Support your child in developing healthy and active lifestyles outside of football training as well.

10. Teach Your Child Responsibility

Being a club member comes with the agreement to take part regularly in team training sessions and competitions. Training and matches form a complete whole in a child’s development, and consistent participation is important for both the child’s own progress and the functioning of the entire team.

We understand that, due to illness, injury, family reasons or other valid circumstances, it is not always possible to attend training or competitions. In such cases, please inform the coach of the absence as early as possible, according to the procedure agreed in the team.

As children grow older, they should gradually take more responsibility for their own football-related commitments.

Support your child so that they:

  • take part regularly in training and competitions;
  • arrive on time for training and matches;
  • notify the coach of absences in advance;
  • take care of their equipment;
  • follow team agreements;
  • communicate politely with the coach and teammates;
  • behave representatively during training, competitions, and free time.

We recommend marking your child’s name or initials on their playing and training kit, to make it easier to return any lost items to their owner.

11. Maintain the Good Reputation of the Club and Team

As members of JK Vändra Vaprus, players, coaches and parents all represent the same club.

Behave respectfully at competitions, training sessions and in public.

Refrain from making posts or comments on social media that could harm the reputation of the club, coaches, players or team.

If a problem arises, resolve it directly with the parties involved or with the club management.

Constructive feedback is always welcome.

12. Honour Club Agreements

A child’s participation in the club also means following the club’s common rules and agreements.

Parents are responsible for ensuring that the club’s tuition fees and other agreed invoices are paid by the due date.

If your family experiences payment difficulties or needs to apply for a fee exemption or other special arrangement, please contact the club board in good time.

Exceptions and exemptions from monthly fees are decided by the club board in accordance with current regulations.

Our Shared Goal

A child should come to training with the desire to play, and leave with the wish to return.

The coach teaches.

The parent supports.

The child plays and learns.

The club creates the best possible environment for this.

Together, we help nurture players who love football, respect others and feel proud to belong to JK Vändra Vaprus.