The following Code of Conduct shall apply to all persons affiliated with Invicta Sharks Korfball Club, and acceptance of membership implies that the individual agrees to the following:

Interaction with the Referee (with reference to BKA Discipline Beliefs)

The control of the game is the responsibility of the appointed referee alone.

Even if assistant referee(s) or assessors are present the appointed referee is the person in charge during the game.

Players must respect the referee and his/her decisions, which are final, even if they believe them to be wrong.

Players and coaches are responsible for themselves and their actions before, during and after a game and must expect that any unacceptable acts, whether verbal, physical or expressed in any other way, will be punished through standard BKA procedures

Giving ‘advice’ to the referee and questioning his/her decisions during the game, even without using offensive language, is not allowed under the rules – only the captain may ask for an explanation and this must be done in a respectful manner and not on an excessively regular basis.

All players are requested to remind themselves of these matters regularly. It is also worth remembering that referees are human. In this context it is worth noting that:

Complaining to or about the referee during the game either directly, or to other players, should not be tolerated.

The more pressure your team exerts on the ref, the harder you make his/her ability to make good decisions.

All players ought to be acutely aware that unless standards of behavior improve more formal warnings with their associated fines, and bans for repeat offenders, are likely.

It's good practice to thank the referee at the end of the game, where a friendly handshake is usually welcome.

Referees have been given guidance about what constitutes a yellow or red card offence and have been asked to enforce this code of conduct this season.

Basically, an environment should exist for all referees to learn their trade in a ‘conducive’ atmosphere. Some referees may welcome constructive feedback, starting with praise where it is due. However, this type of approach may not be appropriate in all circumstances and if a referee does not wish to enter into a debate after a match this wish should be respected. Where a discussion is considered appropriate by all parties it should be conducted in an open and polite manner after sufficient time has passed after the end of the game to allow any ‘heat’ to have gone from the situations to be discussed.

Remember that referees are expected to rate the conduct of teams after each match and this information is used by the BKA to formulate a “league table” for sportsmanship. It is the goal of Invicta Sharks to achieve a respectable position on this list.

Interaction with the Opposing Team

Players shall treat their opposition respectfully and act in sporting manner at all times both on and off pitch.

Players shall offer handshake both before and after the game.

Swearing, “trash-talking”, and obscene gestures towards the opposition are an unacceptable means of communication and unacceptable behaviour.

Violent gestures such as slamming or kicking the ball, whether directly at a person or into free space, is not acceptable and may even lead to a yellow/red card.