As we enter week four, we unfortunately have to address last weekend’s concerning behavior on the sidelines from parents and coaches of all divisions.

This is recreational soccer. There are no standings and no scouts, for a goal of providing fun experiences in a non-competitive setting.

In separate divisions on the same day, we had a referee physically and verbally threatened and confronted by parents, a young referee brought to tears by the words of a coach, and parents and coaches yelling at a referee about an throw-in call– so loudly it could be heard from the opposite end of the park. This is completely unacceptable behavior and it must not happen again.

The following should go without saying, but we find ourselves having to share this anyway:

Players, Coaches, and Parents/Spectators will…

• Engage in and encourage sportsmanlike conduct at all times.
• Never use profanity toward another member or referee while at HSC activities.
• Always treat others with respect – regardless of race, creed, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation or ability.
• Never verbally or physically threaten or taunt any other member or referee.
• Never initiate a fight or scuffle with any member or referee.
• Never publicly yell about a call on the sideline.
• Never confront a referee after a match.

Effective immediately, Howell Soccer Club will implement a Zero Tolerance Policy. 

Any member that violates the above will be subject to immediate removal from the venue and/or suspension from the club. Based on the severity of the event, HSC reserves the right to share the information with other sports organizations in town for potential suspensions from multiple youth sport events that an individual may be involved in and additionally reserves the right to refer the case to NJ Youth Soccer Appeals & Discipline Committee for a potential statewide soccer activity suspension.  

The duty to provide our fellow community members with a positive atmosphere resides with us all.

Thank you