GCAA takes these Codes of Conduct seriously. Any member of our organization accepts these rules, and will be bound to them simply by virtue of being a member. Adherence to the spirit, as well as the letter of the Code, is required.

For the health and safety of our kids:

1. Weapons, smoking, vaping, chewing tobacco, alcoholic beverages, illegal drugs, or pets (including dogs of any size) are NOT allowed on GCAA properties. This includes the GCAA Complex, the West View Elementary fields, HopeFront Church fields, or any other place where GCAA teams are gathering, practicing, or competing. 
   1. If you are seen with any of these things, you will be asked to leave the property and will be found in violation of the GCAA Codes of Conduct.
   2. Failure to comply could result in suspension from GCAA properties, removal from the team, removal from our association, sanctions, and/ or police involvement.
2. The use, possession, or being under the influence of alcohol or illegal drugs at the GCAA Complex, West View Elementary fields, HopeFront Church fields, or any other place where GCAA teams are gathering, practicing, or competing is prohibited.
   1. These actions may also result in being reported to the local authorities, which could result in criminal charges and/or disciplinary action by the GCAA Board of Directors, Disciplinary Committee, or the Chairperson of a sport.
   2. Failure to comply could result in removal from the team, removal from our association, sanctions, and/ or police involvement.

GCAA takes these Codes of Conduct seriously. Any member of our organization accepts these rules, and will be bound to them simply by virtue of being a member. Adherence to the spirit, as well as the letter of the Code, is required. 

I, as a proud GCAA parent, agree to the following code of conduct:

1. I understand that the Greater Cleveland Athletic Association is organized to promote youth athletics and good sportsmanship.
2. I understand that GCAA hires trained officials tasked with officiating all contests. Officials are trained not only in the rules of the game, but also in keeping players safe. Officials who feel a player's safety is in question will always make the call.
3. I understand that my conduct as a parent will have a definite impact on youth for whom it is intended, the program, and myself. I pledge to:
   • Always support my child with positive encouragement.
   • Refrain from coaching from the sidelines during training, practices, and games
   • Show respect for the feelings and accept the capabilities of my child, my child’s teammates, and players on the other team.
   • Refrain from demonstrating frustration or anger after a loss or poor performance.
   • Always accept defeat graciously.
   • Exhibit a high degree of sportsmanship, teamwork, and positive attitude always when representing my child, the team, and our club.
   • Respect the facilities, either home or away, in which my child is privileged to play.
   • Always maintain self-control and respect the 24 hour rule when dealing with issues and or concerns I have with respect to my child when communicating with a coach, program director, or staff member.
4. I pledge to support, cooperate, and work in every way to promote youth athletics in the best interest of the programs and youths involved.
5. I pledge to be respectful to all officials, even in an expression of disagreement.
6. I agree to adhere to the principles of good sportsmanship, and to the rules and regulations defined by GCAA, any organizations affiliated with GCAA, and any sports’ sanctioning bodies.
7. I understand that weapons, pets (including dogs of any size), smoking, vaping, chewing tobacco, alcoholic beverages, or illegal drugs are NOT allowed on GCAA properties. This includes the GCAA Complex, the West View Elementary fields, HopeFront Church fields, or any other place where GCAA teams are gathering, practicing, or competing. 
   • If you are seen with any of these things, you will be asked to leave the property and will be found in violation of the GCAA Codes of Conduct.
   • Failure to comply could result in suspension from GCAA properties, removal from the team, removal from our association, sanctions, and/ or police involvement.
8. I understand that if I display poor sportsmanship, whether before, during, or following a game, I will be subject to partial or permanent program suspension. Unsportsmanlike conduct is defined as, but not limited to the following:
   • Harassment of coaches, players, spectators, or officials
   • Use of profane language and/or gestures towards any person
   • Public threats, verbal abuse, or physical violence towards any person
9. Regulations regarding adult's ejection or suspension will follow (but are not limited to) the guidelines listed below:
   • I understand that if I am asked to leave a game, I will be suspended from attending the next game to be played by my player’s team.
   • I understand that if I am asked to leave a second game during any one season. I will not be allowed to attend any of the remaining regular season games and any end of season tournament(s).
   • I understand that the GCAA board will review all adult ejections or suspensions and may extend any suspension beyond what is stated above as deemed appropriate for the offense.
10. I understand that any suspension may be appealed by using the following process:
    • The suspended individual should submit in writing a detailed account of the incident to the president of the association within 48 hours of the suspension.
    • The statement should give names of any witnesses that observed the incident.
11. I understand that this Code of Conduct does not exclude discipline from other sanctioning bodies (i.e. NCYSA for soccer). In the case of an ejection, the parent must leave the facility (out of sight and sound) in which the field is located and cannot return until 1 hour after their team's next match. If the parent does return before this time, an additional 2 game suspension will be incurred. 
12. If I violate any of the above provisions, I will adhere to the following typical GCAA disciplinary actions:
    • Disrespect to an opposing player = 1 game suspension
    • Ejection from a game (first offense) = 1 game suspension
    • Ejection from a game (second offense) = 1 season suspension
    • Ejection from a game (third offense) = life suspension from participating in GCAA sanctioned events
    • Verbal assault/hostile challenge of a referee/coach/player = 1 year suspension from attending games
    • Physical assault/hostile challenge of a referee/coach/player = life suspension from participating in GCAA sanctioned events

* Violations may also warrant further disciplinary actions from other sanctioning bodies.

Failure to comply with the Parent Code of Conduct could result in removal from the property, removal from the team, removal from our association, sanctions, and/or police involvement.

GCAA takes these Codes of Conduct seriously. Any member of our organization accepts these rules, and will be bound to them simply by virtue of being a member. Adherence to the spirit, as well as the letter of the Code, is required.

I, as a player at GCAA, agree to the following code of conduct:

1. I will be respectful at all times to other players, both on my team and the opposing team as well as to coaches, officials, and spectators.
2. I will not challenge a coach or official in a hostile manner.
3. I will not taunt, trash talk, bully, use profanity, or make any threatening remarks to another individual. I understand that doing so will result in my immediate suspension from the league.
4. I will clean up after myself by taking trash from my food/beverages.
5. I will show good sportsmanship to all other individuals at all times.
6. I will let my parent(s), guardian(s), or coach(es) know of any misconduct that puts my safety or the safety of others at risk.
7. I will win and lose with dignity and respect.

This code of conduct in its entirety does not exclude discipline by the local association/club (when participating in away games) or other sanctioning bodies.

Failure to comply with the Player Code of Conduct could result in removal from the property, removal from the team, removal from our association, sanctions, and/ or police involvement.

GCAA takes these Codes of Conduct seriously. Any member of our organization accepts these rules, and will be bound to them simply by virtue of being a member. Adherence to the spirit, as well as the letter of the Code, is required.

I, as a coach at GCAA, agree to the following code of conduct:

1. I will respect the opposing team, its players, its coaching staff, and spectators and will not engage in any disrespectful conduct.
2. I will not engage or speak to another team's players and may only engage with their coach or an official in a respectful manner should an issue arise.
3. I will respect the referees (umpires) and will not challenge or show dissent with their officiating.
4. I will inform and adhere to all GCAA bylaws for my designated division.
5. I will respect all GCAA officials and will abide by their directives.
6. I will be responsible for the conduct of my players and their parents and will take all necessary steps to ensure their proper behavior.
7. As a coach, I will not engage in any activity that encourages unsportsmanlike behavior by my players.
8. The use, possession, or being under the influence of alcohol or illegal drugs immediately before, during, or immediately following GCAA events involving GCAA players and parents is prohibited.

If I violate any of the above provisions, I will adhere to the following discipline:

• Showing disrespect to a referee/coach/player/parent or any other person at any event with which GCAA is involved – minimum 1 game suspension, maximum 1 season suspension
• Ejection from a game by ref or other GCAA officials (first offense*) – 1 game suspension
• Ejection from a game by ref or other GCAA officials (second offense*) – 1 season suspension
• Ejection from a game by ref or another GCAA official (third offense*) – Lifetime suspension from coaching in any GCAA Sport
• Verbal assault/hostile challenge of a referee/coach/player/parent or any other person at any GCAA event – 1-year suspension
• Physical assault of referee/coach/player/parent or any other person at any GCAA event – Lifetime suspension from participation in GCAA and possible legal action.
• Coaching unsporting behavior – 1-year suspension
  * This violation may also warrant further disciplinary actions from other sanctioning bodies.

In the case of an ejection, the coach must leave the park/facility (out of sight and sound) in which the playing area is located and can not return before being contacted by a GCAA Discipline Committee. If the coach does return before this time, a minimum of an additional 2-game suspension will be incurred.

Failure to comply with the Coaches Code of Conduct could result in removal from the team, our club, a field, sanctions, and/ or police involvement.

2023 Fall - NCYSA Disciplinary Chart

Adult misconduct towards sports officials is becoming more prevalent in society.  To draw attention to and help put a stop to this behavior, North Carolina Youth Soccer (NCYSA) and the North Carolina Soccer Referees Association (NCSRA) have instituted the Yellow Wrist Band Initiative for Minor Referees.

For our young, inexperienced Referees to become more experienced and better Referees, they must be able to officiate games without intimidation, fear, and/or abuse.

A Referee wearing the Yellow Wrist Band is a minor.  We expect adults to show the encouragement and respect the minor deserves as the minor learns their craft.  

Adults that are written up for misconduct – whether an official is wearing the Yellow Wrist Band or not – will be given more severe sanctions than in the past!

Click HERE for the full letter!