PA FREESTYLE SKI ASSOCIATION ATHLETE CODE OF CONDUCT

The PA Freestyle Board of Directors supports and enforces compliance with the United States Ski & Snowboard Association (USSA) Code of Conduct. This code is published in the USSA Competition Guide and on the USSA website.

Sportsmanship & Conduct Expectations

All USSA members—including athletes, coaches, officials, and volunteers—are expected to conduct themselves in a sportsmanlike manner at all times. Each individual is responsible for their actions during competitions, traveling to and from events, and while at competition venues. Members are also responsible for understanding competition rules and procedures.

Unsportsmanlike conduct may result in disqualification from an event and could prevent future participation. This includes, but is not limited to:

• Showing respect for competition officials, ski area employees, and the skiing public.
• Using courtesy and good manners.
• Engaging in responsible behavior and mature conduct.
• Avoiding profane or abusive language.
• Respecting facilities, privileges, operating procedures, and closed areas.
• Attending award ceremonies and receptions as required.

Commitment to the PA Freestyle Ski Association

All PA FREESTYLE SKI ASSOCIATION members, parents, and guardians must understand that the success of the program depends on the dedication and support of athletes, coaches, parents, and volunteers. Athletes, parents, and guardians are expected to contribute their time and effort when needed.

Compliance with USSA Codes & Equipment Standards

• All athletes must comply with the current USSA Code of Conduct and equipment standards.
• Parents and guardians present on the mountain during official USSA events are also expected to comply with USSA rules.
• Athletes and parents must review and acknowledge compliance with US Ski & Snowboard (USSA) equipment rules for their respective age groups.
• USSA equipment specifications are available on the USSA website. Violations of equipment rules may result in disqualification or sanctions imposed by USSA.

Safety & Respect at PA Freestyle Events

All PA FREESTYLE SKI ASSOCIATION athletes, parents, and guardians must abide by all rules of skier safety, including those set forth by individual ski areas while attending PA FREESTYLE SKI ASSOCIATION-supported events.

Behavioral Expectations

Athletes, parents, and guardians are expected to conduct themselves in a sportsmanlike manner at all times, recognizing that they represent the PA Freestyle Ski Association.

Prohibited Conduct:

• Profanity, abusive language, disruptive, or disrespectful behavior during any team-sponsored event, including training, competitions (home or away), and non-competition activities.
• Coaching or interfering with athletes during training or competition unless authorized by the coaching staff.
• Disrupting team activities with inappropriate behavior.
• Defamatory behavior—including spreading false information, slander, or making public statements (verbal, written, or online) intended to damage the reputation of a coach, athlete, parent, or the program itself. This includes:
  • Posting or sharing false, misleading, or harmful comments about any coach, athlete, or parent in public forums, including social media.
  • Making unsubstantiated accusations that create division within the team.
  • Engaging in negative discussions about athletes, coaches, or the program that could harm individual reputations or the integrity of the PA Freestyle Ski Association.
• Any violations of the PA FREESTYLE SKI ASSOCIATION Code of Conduct will be subject to review by the Board of Directors, and consequences may include suspension or removal from the program.

Consequences for Violations:

• If inappropriate behavior occurs, the individual may face suspension from training, racing in PA FREESTYLE SKI ASSOCIATION-supported events, or other team activities.
• Athletes, parents, or guardians who repeatedly display disruptive behavior during training may be suspended for the remainder of the day at the discretion of the lead coach or the PA FREESTYLE SKI ASSOCIATION Program Director/Board of Directors.

Alcohol & Drug Policy

• All PA FREESTYLE SKI ASSOCIATION athletes are strictly prohibited from using alcohol or illegal drugs at any PA FREESTYLE SKI ASSOCIATION-sponsored event, including training, competitions, and any time under the supervision of the PA Freestyle Board of Directors or staff.
• Consequences for Violation:
  • Any athlete found using or in possession of alcohol or illegal drugs will be suspended from all PA FREESTYLE SKI ASSOCIATION training and competitions for the remainder of the season, up to a maximum of one calendar year.
  • Suspensions will be determined by the Board of Directors with an appeal process in place.
  • No refunds or reimbursements will be issued for any athlete suspended due to violations.

PA FREESTYLE SKI ASSOCIATION PARENT CODE OF CONDUCT

PA FREESTYLE SKI ASSOCIATION has created the Parent Code of Conduct to help guide our program in fostering a culture that ensures a safe, educational, and nurturing environment for our athletes and community.  Achieving an athlete’s goals requires a cooperative and concerted effort by athletes, coaches, and parents. Each plays a critical role in ensuring success.

When in doubt: Athletes compete. Coaches coach. Parents parent.

PA FREESTYLE SKI ASSOCIATION has experienced, professional coaches dedicated to developing athletes into better skiers while simultaneously teaching and instilling important life skills. These skills include time management, self-discipline, perseverance, and sportsmanship.

As the parent/legal guardian of a PA FREESTYLE SKI ASSOCIATION athlete, you agree to uphold the highest standards of behavior and sportsmanship. Set a good example.

Sportsmanship Expectations

Sportsmanlike conduct is defined as, but not limited to:

• Showing respect for all athletes and the rest of the skiing community, including coaches, competition officials, resort employees, and the skiing public.
• Respecting facilities, privileges, and operating procedures.
• Using courtesy and good manners.
• Acting responsibly and maturely.
• Refraining from profane or abusive language.

Parents must:

• Show respect and be polite to everyone.
• Follow US Ski and Snowboard Safe Sport Policies (found under the Safe Sport tab on their website).
• Follow US Ski and Snowboard Code of Conduct (found under the Governance tab on their website).
• Demonstrate good sportsmanship—including showing athletes and others how to win gracefully, lose graciously, and congratulate opponents and teammates.
• Assume the best from coaches, parents, and persons affiliated with the PA FREESTYLE SKI ASSOCIATION; we all want to see athletes succeed and meet their individual goals.
• Represent PA FREESTYLE SKI ASSOCIATION in a positive and respectful manner at all functions, facilities, and events.

Know Your Role

·       Athletes compete. Coaches coach. Officials officiate. Parents parent.

·       Provide your children with positive reinforcement and encouragement.

• Ensure your child treats all athletes, coaches, competition officials, resort employees, and other members of the skiing community with respect.

·       Official Communications. On competition day, parents should raise concerns with team captains/coaches and not approach competition officials directly. Parents should generally never have substantive interactions with competition officials related to their athlete’s performance.

·       Coaching Communications.

·       In general, if you have a concern about your athlete arising from an event or incident, please reach out to the coach not sooner than 24-hours after any triggering event or incident (to allow for cooling off) and make arrangements for a respectful, productive discussion.

·       In general, refrain from discussing performance of any athletes – including your own – in any public forum, including at practices with the athletes.

·       Never publicly compare athletes’ skills or performances.

·       If a parent has communicated with the appropriate coach(es), and believes that an issue related to his or her athlete is insufficiently resolved, the parent shall contact the Program Director by email or telephone call, and schedule a time for a private discussion.

Zero Tolerance Behaviors

The following behaviors will not be tolerated under any circumstances and will result in immediate action by the PA FREESTYLE SKI ASSOCIATION Board:

• Inappropriate name-calling, bullying, or harassment of any PA FREESTYLE SKI ASSOCIATION athlete, parent, coach, competition official, resort employee, or other member of the skiing community.
• Public intoxication or substance abuse.
• Cheating, vandalizing any equipment or facilities or any ski club or venue, or engaging in any acts of violence.
• Engaging in any behavior that could result in the removal from a skiing venue.

Defamatory Conduct Policy

PA FREESTYLE SKI ASSOCIATION is committed to maintaining a respectful and supportive environment for all athletes, coaches, and parents. Defamatory remarks, slander, or any form of negative public statements (verbal, written, or online) that are intended to damage the reputation of a coach, athlete, parent, or the program itself will not be tolerated.

This includes but is not limited to:

• Spreading false or misleading information about an athlete, coach, competition official, resort employee, or other member of the skiing community.
• Engaging in negative discussions about athletes, coaches, competition officials, resort employees, or other members of the skiing community in public or online forums.

Any instances of defamatory conduct will be subject to immediate review by the PA FREESTYLE SKI ASSOCIATION Board and may result in disciplinary action, including suspension or removal from the program.