AFL Masters Code of Conduct

The AFLM Code of Conduct has been designed to ensure all interactions are conducted in the true spirit of Masters “Footy for Fun”.

Member Associations shall be responsible for the actions and behaviour of their officials, players, supporters and administrators before, after & during all games, and at all official AFL Masters functions, Tribunal hearings or meetings.

Contact on official matters with AFL Masters National Board members and officials by registered players or supporters should in the first instance be via their State or Territory  Association’s President or Delegate to the National Committee or to the carnival office on match days via the AFL Masters General Manager or a National Board member. Contact at official functions when AFL Masters Board members have official duties to perform should be with discretion and respect at all times.

All players, supporters and spectators should realise their obligation to know the carnival rules particularly regarding the consumption of alcohol outside of licenced areas.

All participants are requested to be aware that AFL Masters bans the consumption or taking of alcohol outside of licenced areas at any time during a Carnival. Any breaches will incur penalties for the State or Territory that the offender represents.

ALL PARTICIPANTS – GENERAL

• Do not engage in conduct which brings, or is likely to bring, the interests of AFL Masters into disrepute.
• Do not act in a manner which is, or is likely to be, prejudicial to AFL Masters.
• Do not directly or indirectly harass or bully (including cyber bully) any person.
• Do not make or post inappropriate, offensive or discriminatory comments in public (including via social media) about another person or AFL Masters.
• Do not commit a Serious Criminal Offence as defined in the AFL’s National Community Football Policy Handbook.
• Do not victimise another person for making a complaint.
• Do not engage in a sexually inappropriate relationship with a person that a person coaches, supervise, or has influence, authority or power over.
• Do not verbally or physically abuse, threaten, assault or engage in violence with another person, intimidate another person or create a hostile environment.
• Do not disclose to a person or organisation any information related to AFL Masters (including any investigation) that is of a private, confidential or privileged nature without the required consent.
• Do not make a complaint that is knowingly to be untrue, vexatious, malicious or improper.
• Do not act towards or speak to any other person in a manner, or engage in any other conduct which threatens, disparages, vilifies or insults another person or group of persons on any basis, including but not limited to, a person’s race, religion, colour, descent or national or ethnic origin, disability, sexual orientation or gender identity.
• Co-operate with any investigation including answering questions and providing statements truthfully. Do not make any false or misleading statement or act in a manner calculated to or which is likely to mislead.

PLAYERS CODE OF CONDUCT

• Play by the rules at all times.
• Never argue with an official; if you disagree, discuss the matter with your coach after the game.
• Control your temper; verbal abuse or racial or religious vilification of other players, or provoking an opponent is not acceptable.
• Be a team player, work equally hard for yourself and your team.Your team’s performance will benefit and so will you.
• Be a good sport; applaud all good plays by your team, opponent or the other team.
• Treat all players fairly; treat all players as you would like to be treated. Do not interfere with, bully or take unfair advantage of another player.
• Co-operate willingly with your coach, teammates and opponents.
• Play for the “fun of it” and not just to please coaches.

COACHES

• Be accredited.
• Be reasonable in your demands; consider players’ time, energy and enthusiasm levels, having regard to their health and well-being.
• Avoid over playing the talented players; the just ‘average players’ need and deserve equal time.
• Always monitor and ensure the health and safety of participants.
• Keep winning in perspective; maximise players’ participation for fun and enjoyment.
• Stress safety always; ensure that equipment and facilities are safe.
• Consider maturity and ability levels; match up practice schedules, practice activities and degree of competition with maturity and ability levels.
• Develop team respect; for the ability of opponents as well as for the judgment of officials and opposing coaches.
• Recognise the importance of injury; seek and follow the advice of appropriately qualified health specialists in relation to the participation of injured or ill players.
• Keep up to date with principles of coaching including skill development and requirements of Accreditation.
• Display and foster appropriate sporting behaviour such as fair play, to help players understand the responsibilities and implications of freedom to choose between fair and unfair play.
• Display and foster respect towards administrations, officials, umpires, opponents and spectators.

ADMINISTRATORS/ OFFICIALS

• Ensure equal participation for all; provide equal opportunities for all regardless of ability, size, shape, age, disability or ethnic origin.
• Ensure that the rules, equipment, length of games and training schedules take into consideration age, ability and maturity even of the participants.
• Stress enjoyment; remember that players participate for enjoyment and play down the importance of rewards.
• Promote fair play, ensure that coaches, officials, sponsored physicians and participants understand their responsibilities regarding fair play.
• Where appropriate modify rules and regulations to match the skill level of participants and their needs.
• Promote respect for opponents and condemn unsporting behavior.

SPECTATORS

• Applaud good performance and efforts from each team.
• Congratulate all participants upon their performance regardless of the game’s outcome.
• Respect officials’ decisions at all times Remember all officials are there for the fun (of the game and are volunteers; as such all should be treated with respect.
• Condemn the use of violence in any form, be it by spectators, coaches, officials or players.
• Show respect for your team’s opponents. Without them there would be no game.
• Encourage players to follow the rules and the officials decisions.
• Do not use foul language or harass players, coaches or officials.
• Each club, State or Territory is responsible for the behaviour of their spectators and officials during and at the conclusion of their games.

Revised 29/01/2024