Pelham Youth Lacrosse believes the sport of lacrosse should be fun for players, coaches and parents. Our players should develop skills and a love for the game while also learning the value of sportsmanship and teamwork.

Coaches are expected to conduct themselves in a manner that honors the game and adheres to the following PYL mission statement:

We strive to provide each player the appropriate age level of coaching instruction; we seek to build a player’s confidence in learning lacrosse skills; we aspire to develop a sense of teamwork and fair play; we honor the game by respecting the rules, our opponents, officials, our teammates and ourselves; and we aim to develop character values that will benefit today’s players in later years and in other endeavors. Players will learn the value of teamwork, determination, and commitment, and HAVE FUN playing lacrosse. Players will end the season wanting to come back and play again next year.

Each season all coaches (including parent managers) shall be required to sign the following code of conduct.

Pelham Youth Lacrosse Coach Code of Conduct

I pledge to be responsible for my words and actions while attending, coaching, or participating in all PYL events, and when off the field recognizing that my behavior may reflect on the PYL organization even when not serving in an official coaching capacity. I shall conform my behavior to the following code of conduct:

• A coach is a role model for players. I will encourage good sportsmanship by demonstrating a positive attitude and respect for all coaches, parents, players, participants, officials or any other attendees.
• I will respect, know and teach the game of lacrosse and its rules.
• I will abide by all of Pelham Youth Lacrosse’s policies and follow the directions of the PYL Board of Directors and the Boys/Girls Director.
• I will not engage in unsportsmanlike conduct or encourage any other person to engage in unsportsmanlike conduct with any coach, parent, player, participant, official or any other attendee.
• I will place the safety and well-being of the players before any desire to win. I will not engage or encourage another person to engage in any behavior which would endanger the health, safety or well-being of any coach, parent, player, participant, official or any other attendee.
• I will not use or encourage others to use drugs or alcohol while at a youth sports event and will not attend, coach, officiate or participate in a youth sports event while under the influence of drugs or alcohol.
• I will not engage, or encourage others to engage, in the use of profanity or other inappropriate or offensive language during PYL events. I will not engage in verbal or physical threats or verbal or physical abuse aimed at any coach, parent, player, participant, PYL board member, official or any other attendee.
• I will treat all coaches, parents, players, participants, officials, PYL Board members or any other attendees with respect regardless of race, creed, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation or ability.
• I will not engage in any sexual activity with minors, will not make sexual comments or jokes to minors, will not share sexually explicit material with minors or assist in any way to provide access to such material. I will not meet with minors outside of the team setting or engage or communicate with minors through social networking websites, internet chat rooms, or other forms of social media.
• I will not possess or use of any type of weapon or explosive device.

All coaches and volunteers are appointed at the sole discretion of the PYL Board of Directors and conduct unbecoming of the PYL mission or in violation of this Code of Conduct can face discipline up to and including suspension of or expulsion from coaching or any other discipline approved by the PYL Board of Directors.