The US Squash Codes of Conduct exist to elevate and maintain the high standard of sportsmanship in squash competition. They have been developed to maintain enjoyment and safety during accredited play, and are aligned with US Squash values of fairness, sportsmanship and respect.
Being respectful of one’s opponent and the officials, courteous on and off the court, and responsible for one’s own behavior are the fundamentals of competing in a sportsmanlike manner and upholding the integrity of the sport. Squash requires achieving this, while competing in very close quarters with ones opponent, often in situations where the players are physically and mentally pushed to the limit, when the difference between winning and losing fairly, is in the hands and control of each player, regardless of the officials involved.
Competitors must balance many elements which are ultimately in the control of each individual: sportsmanship with the desire to win; courtesy and respect with raw determination; fair play and while testing limits physically and mentally. Preserving the integrity of squash, the true essence of the sport, relies on everyone involved in the game to be courteous, respectful and responsible for his or her own behavior.
CODE OF CONDUCT FOR MEMBERS AND PARTICIPANTS
Preamble
The integrity of the game is of paramount importance. Being respectful of one’s opponent and the officials, courteous on and off the court, and responsible for one’s own behavior are the fundamentals of competing in a sportsmanlike manner and upholding the integrity of the sport. Squash requires achieving this, while competing in very close quarters with ones opponent, often in situations where the players are physically and mentally pushed to the limit, when the difference between winning and losing fairly, is in the hands and control of each player, regardless of the officials involved.
Competitors must balance many elements which are ultimately in the control of each individual: sportsmanship with the desire to win; courtesy and respect with raw determination; fair play and while testing limits physically and mentally. Preserving the integrity of squash, the true essence of the sport, relies on everyone involved in the game to be courteous, respectful and responsible for his or her own behavior.
Code of Conduct
I therefore pledge to be responsible for my words and actions while participating in US Squash competition and conform my behavior to the following code of conduct:
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I will learn and abide by all US Squash Rules, Policies, Procedures and Guidelines, those of the U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Committee that are applicable, and the current
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I will learn and abide by all US Squash Rules, Policies, Procedures and Guidelines, those of the U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Committee that are applicable, and the current Rules of Squash.
- I will not engage in unsportsmanlike conduct with any coach, parent, player, participant, official, US Squash staff member or any other attendee.
- I will not engage in any behavior which would endanger the health, safety or well-being of any coach, parent, player, participant, official, US Squash staff member or any other attendee.
- I will not engage in the use of profanity.
- I will treat any coach, parent, player, participant, official, US Squash staff member or any other attendee with respect regardless of race, creed, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation or ability.
- I will not engage in verbal or physical threats or abuse aimed at any coach, parent, player, participant, official, US Squash staff member or any other attendee.
- I will not engage in a fight or argue with any coach, parent, player, participant, official, US Squash staff member or any other attendee.
- I will respect the officials and their authority during a match and will never question, discuss, or confront players or officials before, during or after a match.
I hereby agree that if I fail to conform my conduct to the foregoing while attending, coaching, officiating or participating in a squash event I will be subject to disciplinary action, including but not limited to the following in any order or combination:
Disciplinary Actions
These disciplinary actions will be imposed in a manner commensurate with the offense and in accordance with the below qualifications of the severity of their disruption or threat.
- Verbal warning issued by a league, organization, school official, or US Squash.
- Written warning issued by a league, organization, school official, or US Squash.
- Suspension or immediate ejection from an event and/or suspension for a period of time ranging from days to weeks, issued by a league, organization or school official who is authorized to issue such suspension or ejection by a school board, youth sports organization, or US Squash.
- Suspension from multiple events and/or suspension for a period of time ranging from weeks to months, issued by a league, organization or school official who is authorized to issue such suspension by a school board, youth sports organization, or US Squash.
- Season suspension, multiple season suspension, or lifetime suspension, issued by a school board, youth sports organization or US Squash.
Types of Infractions
Minor Infraction
A Minor Infraction will result in penalties and warnings within the rights of a referee during a match and or equal to the disciplinary action 1 or 2 as written above. A Minor Infraction is defined as a single occurrence or disturbance from which no threat has been brought upon any coach, parent, player, participant, official, US Squash staff member or any other attendee though is a violation of the “Player Code of Conduct”. Examples of Minor Infractions include but are not limited to:
- A single instance of disrespectful language or actions directed at any coach, parent, player, participant, official, US Squash staff member or any other attendee.
- A single occurrence of excessive tardiness or absenteeism at which ones presence is obligatory.
- A single occurrence of non-compliance with the Policies and Guidelines set forth by US Squash.
Major Infraction
A Major Infraction will result in disciplinary actions involving suspension from a single event, multiple events, a season or multiple seasons. A Major Infraction is defined as repeated Minor Infractions or a single occurrence or disturbance of an event in which a threat has been brought upon any coach, parent, player, participant, official, US Squash staff member or any other attendee. These threats or actions if deemed sufficiently damaging to the event or sport gives US Squash or the event organizers the right to immediate action in accordance with any and all disciplinary actions as outlined in the “Player Code of Conduct”. Examples of Major Infractions include but are not limited to:
- Multiple reported instances of disrespectful language or actions directed at any coach, parent, player, participant, official, US Squash staff member or any other attendee.
- A threat or act of violence or assault, sexual or otherwise, against any coach, parent, player, participant, official, US Squash staff member or any other attendee.
Preamble
Youth sports programs play an important role in promoting the physical, social and emotional development of children. It is therefore essential for parents, coaches and officials to encourage youth athletes to embrace the values of good sportsmanship. Moreover, adults involved in youth sports events should be models of good sportsmanship and should lead by example by demonstrating fairness, respect and self-control.
Code of Conduct
I therefore pledge to be responsible for my words and actions while attending, coaching, officiating or participating in a US Squash event and conform my behavior to the following code of conduct:
- I will learn the rules of the squash and abide by all US Squash Policies.
- I will not engage, nor encourage my child/player, in unsportsmanlike conduct with any coach, parent, player, participant, official, US Squash staff member or any other attendee.
- I will not engage, nor encourage my child/player, in any behavior which would endanger the health, safety or well-being of any coach, parent, player, participant, official, US Squash staff member or any other attendee.
- I will not engage, nor encourage my child/player, in the use of profanity.
- I will, and encourage my child/player to, treat any coach, parent, player, participant, official, US Squash staff member or any other attendee with respect regardless of race, creed, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation or ability.
- I will not engage, nor encourage my child/player to engage, in verbal or physical threats or abuse aimed at any coach, parent, player, participant, official, US Squash staff member or any other attendee.
- I will not engage, nor encourage my child/player to engage, in a fight or argue with any coach, parent, player, participant, official, US Squash staff member or any other attendee.
- I will, and will encourage my child/player to, respect the officials and their authority during a match and will never question, discuss, or confront players or officials before, during or after a match.
- I will promote the emotional and physical wellbeing of the athletes ahead of any personal desire I may have for my child to win.
I hereby agree that if I fail to conform my conduct to the foregoing while attending, coaching, officiating or participating in a US Squash event I will be subject to disciplinary action, including but not limited to the following in any order or combination:
Disciplinary Actions
These disciplinary actions will be imposed in a manner commensurate with their offense and in accordance with the below qualifications of the severity of their disruption or threat.
- Verbal warning issued by a league, organization, school official, or US Squash.
- Written warning issued by a league, organization, school official, or US Squash.
- Suspension or immediate ejection from a youth sports event and/or suspension for a period of time ranging from days to weeks, issued by a league, organization or school official who is authorized to issue such suspension or ejection by a school board, youth sports organization, or US Squash.
- Suspension from multiple youth sports events and/or suspension for a period of time ranging from weeks to months, issued by a league, organization or school official who is authorized to issue such suspension by a school board, youth sports organization, or US Squash.
- Season suspension, multiple season suspension, or lifetime suspension, issued by a school board, youth sports organization or US Squash.
Types of Infractions
Minor Infraction
A Minor Infraction will result in penalties and warnings within the rights of a referee during a match and or equal to the disciplinary action 1 or 2 as written above. A Minor Infraction is defined as a single occurrence or disturbance from which no threat has been brought upon any coach, parent, player, participant, official, US Squash staff member or any other attendee though is a violation of the “Parent, Coach and Attendee Code of Conduct” or the rules of squash as they relate to conduct and etiquette. Examples of Minor Infractions include but are not limited to:
- A single instance of disrespectful language or actions directed at any coach, parent, player, participant, official, US Squash staff member or any other attendee.
- A single occurrence of excessive tardiness or absenteeism for a US Squash event at which ones presence is obligatory.
- A single occurrence of non-compliance with the policies and rules set forth by US Squash.
Major Infraction
A Major Infraction will result in disciplinary actions involving suspension from a single event, multiple events, a season or multiple seasons. A Major Infraction is defined as repeated minor infraction or a single occurrence or disturbance of an event in which a threat has been brought upon any coach, parent, player, participant, official, US Squash staff member or any other attendee. These threats or actions if deemed sufficiently damaging to the event or sport gives US Squash or the event organizers the right to immediate action in accordance with any and all disciplinary actions as outlined in the “Parent, Coach and Attendee Code of Conduct”. Examples of Major infractions include but are not limited to:
- Multiple reported instances of disrespectful language or actions directed at any coach, parent, player, participant, official, US Squash staff member or any other attendee.
- A threat or act of violence or assault, sexual or otherwise, against any coach, parent, player, participant, official, US Squash staff member or any other attendee.
Preamble
Youth sports programs play an important role in promoting the physical, social and emotional development of children. It is therefore essential for parents, coaches and officials to encourage youth athletes to embrace the values of good sportsmanship. Moreover, adults involved in youth sports events should be models of good sportsmanship and should lead by example by demonstrating fairness, respect and self-control.
Code of Conduct
I therefore pledge to be responsible for my words and actions while attending, coaching, officiating or participating in a US Squash event and conform my behavior to the following code of conduct:
- I will learn the rules of the squash and abide by all US Squash Policies.
- I will not engage, nor encourage my child/player, in unsportsmanlike conduct with any coach, parent, player, participant, official, US Squash staff member or any other attendee.
- I will not engage, nor encourage my child/player, in any behavior which would endanger the health, safety or well-being of any coach, parent, player, participant, official, US Squash staff member or any other attendee.
- I will not engage, nor encourage my child/player, in the use of profanity.
- I will, and encourage my child/player to, treat any coach, parent, player, participant, official, US Squash staff member or any other attendee with respect regardless of race, creed, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation or ability.
- I will not engage, nor encourage my child/player to engage, in verbal or physical threats or abuse aimed at any coach, parent, player, participant, official, US Squash staff member or any other attendee.
- I will not engage, nor encourage my child/player to engage, in a fight or argue with any coach, parent, player, participant, official, US Squash staff member or any other attendee.
- I will, and will encourage my child/player to, respect the officials and their authority during a match and will never question, discuss, or confront players or officials before, during or after a match.
- I will promote the emotional and physical wellbeing of the athletes ahead of any personal desire I may have for my child to win.
I hereby agree that if I fail to conform my conduct to the foregoing while attending, coaching, officiating or participating in a US Squash event I will be subject to disciplinary action, including but not limited to the following in any order or combination:
Disciplinary Actions
These disciplinary actions will be imposed in a manner commensurate with their offense and in accordance with the below qualifications of the severity of their disruption or threat.
- Verbal warning issued by a league, organization, school official, or US Squash.
- Written warning issued by a league, organization, school official, or US Squash.
- Suspension or immediate ejection from a youth sports event and/or suspension for a period of time ranging from days to weeks, issued by a league, organization or school official who is authorized to issue such suspension or ejection by a school board, youth sports organization, or US Squash.
- Suspension from multiple youth sports events and/or suspension for a period of time ranging from weeks to months, issued by a league, organization or school official who is authorized to issue such suspension by a school board, youth sports organization, or US Squash.
- Season suspension, multiple season suspension, or lifetime suspension, issued by a school board, youth sports organization or US Squash.
Types of Infractions
Minor Infraction
A Minor Infraction will result in penalties and warnings within the rights of a referee during a match and or equal to the disciplinary action 1 or 2 as written above. A Minor Infraction is defined as a single occurrence or disturbance from which no threat has been brought upon any coach, parent, player, participant, official, US Squash staff member or any other attendee though is a violation of the “Parent, Coach and Attendee Code of Conduct” or the rules of squash as they relate to conduct and etiquette. Examples of Minor Infractions include but are not limited to:
- A single instance of disrespectful language or actions directed at any coach, parent, player, participant, official, US Squash staff member or any other attendee.
- A single occurrence of excessive tardiness or absenteeism for a US Squash event at which ones presence is obligatory.
- A single occurrence of non-compliance with the policies and rules set forth by US Squash.
Major Infraction
A Major Infraction will result in disciplinary actions involving suspension from a single event, multiple events, a season or multiple seasons. A Major Infraction is defined as repeated minor infraction or a single occurrence or disturbance of an event in which a threat has been brought upon any coach, parent, player, participant, official, US Squash staff member or any other attendee. These threats or actions if deemed sufficiently damaging to the event or sport gives US Squash or the event organizers the right to immediate action in accordance with any and all disciplinary actions as outlined in the “Parent, Coach and Attendee Code of Conduct”. Examples of Major infractions include but are not limited to:
- Multiple reported instances of disrespectful language or actions directed at any coach, parent, player, participant, official, US Squash staff member or any other attendee.
- A threat or act of violence or assault, sexual or otherwise, against any coach, parent, player, participant, official, US Squash staff member or any other attendee.
If a member observes a violation of the US Squash Code of Conduct during accredited play, he or she is encouraged to report it to or league or tournament director, or a US Squash staff member if available on site. League or tournament directors will collect additional information as necessary and submit a Code of Conduct violation form to US Squash.
When a report is filed with US Squash, staff members will follow up with the involved parties as necessary and take action in accordance with the disciplinary actions listed in the Code of Conduct. In certain circumstances, the applicable portions of the US SQUASH Decision Review, Dispute Resolution, and Rule Clarification Procedures and Board of Review Disciplinary and Grievance Procedures will be utilized.
While it is important to identify violators of the Code of Conduct, it is equally important to identify players who exhibit exceptional sportsmanship and the ideals of the Code of Conduct. If you witness a player exhibiting exceptional sportsmanship at a tournament, let US Squash know about it! If you have seen a player who has acted in an admirable way during accredited matches, please share the moment with US Squash.