Bedford Athletic Club is committed to providing a safe, positive, and respectful environment for every player, family, coach, referee, volunteer, and community member across all of our programs. Because emotions in youth sports can sometimes turn into abusive or even physical behavior, BAC maintains a zero-tolerance policy for unsportsmanlike and abusive conduct. Everyone in our community — players, parents, coaches, volunteers, and spectators — is expected to continually raise the standard of behavior, both on and off the field.

BAC is an all-volunteer club. The people running practices, lining fields, scheduling games, and serving on the Board are parents and neighbors giving up their evenings and weekends. Respect for them is part of this code, not an afterthought.

Who this applies to — players, parents and guardians, family members and spectators, coaches and team managers, volunteers, coordinators and Board members, sponsors and their representatives, and any adult who attends or takes part in a BAC activity.

Where this applies — all BAC programs (Travel, Recreational, Adaptive, futsal, indoor training, and camps) and all BAC-related activities: games, practices, tryouts, tournaments, club trips and travel, meetings, events, fundraisers, sponsorship activity, and communications about the club or the people in it, whether in person, by email or text, in group chats, or online.

Travel and Rec — the standards below apply to everyone unless an item is marked TRAVEL.

General Expectations

  • Treat others with respect, dignity, and sportsmanship.
  • Help build a positive and inclusive environment for all players and families.
  • Support the development of players, teams, referees, coaches, and volunteers.
  • Raise concerns constructively and respectfully, and through the club’s channels: your coach first, then the program coordinator or director, then the Board.
  • Follow BAC policies, league rules, and the decisions of coaches, referees, and club leadership.
  • Do not engage in behavior that disrupts the operation, safety, or wellbeing of the club community.

Players

  • Represent BAC and the Town of Bedford with pride and good sportsmanship.
  • Respect referees, teammates, opponents, coaches, and equipment.
  • Give your best effort and remember that winning is a result of teamwork — you are part of a team.
  • During practices, listen attentively to instructions, give your best effort, and follow drills as directed. Horseplay that disrupts the session is discouraged; a player who repeatedly disrupts practice may be asked — with parental support — to step away.
  • Poor sportsmanship, during or after games, will not be tolerated.
  • Do not use foul or discriminatory language or obscene gestures.
  • Do not bully, harass, threaten, or physically intimidate anyone, in person or online.

Parents, Guardians & Spectators

Includes parents, guardians, family members, team managers, and all spectators.

  • Represent BAC and the Town of Bedford with pride, and show positive support for all players, coaches, and referees at every game and practice.
  • Respect coaches, players, referees, other parents, opponents, volunteers, club officials, and equipment.
  • Encourage your child to treat teammates, opponents, coaches, and referees with respect.
  • Communicate proactively with your coach about schedule conflicts and absences — failure to communicate affects the team and others’ commitment to the program.
  • Do not enter the field of play or the coaches’ sideline unless you are asked to.
  • Do not coach from the sidelines — let the coaches coach.
  • Do not referee from the sidelines by appealing for free kicks, offside, etc. — let the officials officiate.
  • Do not lobby the coach regarding your child’s playing time or seek favoritism over other players.
  • Do not use foul or discriminatory language or obscene gestures.
  • Never verbally or physically abuse any coach, official, spectator, volunteer, or player — including your own child.
  • Do not engage in abusive, threatening, intimidating, harassing, or disruptive behavior toward anyone in the BAC community, in person, electronically, or online.
  • Raise concerns about players, coaches, referees, volunteers, or club leadership privately and through the club’s channels rather than through public criticism.

Coaches

Coaches play a vital role in creating a positive environment for our players and families. As a representative of BAC and the Town of Bedford, coaches are expected to uphold the highest standards of respect, professionalism, and sportsmanship.

Player-Centered Coaching

  • Emphasize player development, safety, and building confidence, while encouraging a positive approach to competition.
  • Create a positive learning environment where players feel encouraged to take risks, make mistakes, and grow.
  • Use positive reinforcement and constructive feedback to build player confidence and self-esteem.
  • Ensure fair and meaningful playing time, particularly in younger age groups. (Rec: equal/fair playing time. Travel: competitive, earned playing time with a focus on development, especially in younger age groups.)

Sportsmanship & Respect

  • Treat all players, parents, referees, opposing teams, volunteers, and equipment with respect.
  • Do not use foul or discriminatory language or obscene gestures.
  • Never engage in any verbal, physical, emotional, or sexual abuse or harassment.
  • Never argue with referees; seek clarification respectfully when necessary. Your behavior sets the tone for your team.
  • Enforce and support an anti-bullying policy to create a positive, inclusive environment where all players — regardless of background, ability, or identity — feel respected and valued.
  • Communicate clearly and professionally with families and players, and avoid behavior that demeans, intimidates, or embarrasses players or families.
  • Comply with the Referee Respect, Communication, and Substance-Free standards in the Standards for Everyone section below.

Safety & Compliance

  • Register as a BAC coach and complete SafeSport training, a background check, and the Code of Conduct acknowledgment as directed by BAC Leadership before working with players.
  • Inspect fields and equipment before every practice and game.
  • Be aware of concussion symptoms and follow return-to-play protocols. A player with a suspected concussion must receive medical clearance before returning to play.

Compliance with BAC & League Policies

  • Abide by BAC policies, including behavior expectations, playing-time standards, referee respect, and health and safety protocols.
  • TRAVEL Follow NHSL league rules, including club pass procedures, roster requirements, maximum allowed goal differential, accurate score reporting, and the game feedback form.

Volunteers, Coordinators & Board Members

Coaches, referees, Board members, program coordinators, team managers, and volunteers run this club. Respectful treatment of them is expected at all times, from everyone.

Harassment, intimidation, abusive communications, targeted personal attacks, threats, or conduct that undermines the safety or functioning of the club community will not be tolerated, whether it happens at a field, in a meeting, or in an email.

The same standard runs the other way. People serving the club in any role, including Board members, are held to this code in how they treat players, families, fellow volunteers, referees, and sponsors, and in how they conduct themselves at club meetings and events.

Sponsors

BAC values the businesses, organizations, and individuals that support its programs. Sponsors and their representatives are expected to:

  • Conduct themselves in a manner consistent with BAC values and this code, and treat players, families, coaches, referees, volunteers, Board members, other sponsors, and community members with respect.
  • Use BAC names, logos, team identities, photographs, and other club materials only as authorized by BAC and in accordance with the sponsorship agreement.
  • Keep sponsorship advertising, promotions, signage, communications, and activities appropriate for a youth and family organization.
  • Not use a BAC sponsorship to imply endorsement of products, services, political positions, causes, or organizations beyond the specific recognition BAC has authorized.
  • Respect player and family privacy. Participant information, images, contact details, or access obtained through BAC may not be used for unauthorized solicitation, marketing, or any other purpose.

BAC may decline, restrict, suspend, or terminate a sponsorship when a sponsor or its representatives violate this code, fail to meet sponsorship obligations, create a conflict with BAC policies or youth-safety responsibilities, or otherwise act in a manner detrimental to BAC.

Standards for Everyone

Players, parents, coaches, volunteers, and sponsors.

Respect for Referees & Officials

  • Referees and officials are to be treated with respect at all times. BAC maintains zero tolerance for any threats, intimidation, or abuse directed at officials — whether in person or online.
  • TRAVEL BAC fully supports U.S. Soccer’s “Respect and Protect” (RAP) initiative. Any threats, intimidation, or abuse directed at referees may result in immediate removal from BAC and possible legal action. For more information, visit ussoccer.com/rap.
  • The same standard of respect applies to all officials in our recreational league. Although Rec play falls under a different league, referees must be respected and abuse will not be tolerated.

Communication, Social Media & Electronic Messages

  • Use respectful and appropriate communication in emails, text messages, group chats, social media posts, online forums, and any other message related to BAC, its activities, or its people.
  • Negative or disparaging public posts about referees, coaches, players, volunteers, or the club are prohibited. Concerns should be addressed privately and respectfully through the club’s channels.
  • Communications, public or private, that include harassment, threats, bullying, intimidation, defamatory statements, or targeted personal attacks toward players, families, coaches, referees, volunteers, Board members, sponsors, or anyone else in the BAC community are a violation of this code and may result in disciplinary action.

Substance-Free Environment

  • Maintain a substance-free environment during all BAC player-involved activities.

Accountability & Disciplinary Action

BAC has a zero-tolerance policy for disrespectful and inappropriate behavior toward players, parents, coaches, referees, volunteers, Board members, opponents, and sponsors. The Board reviews all reported incidents and may act on any conduct that violates this code or is determined to be detrimental to the safety, wellbeing, reputation, or functioning of the club community, wherever that conduct occurs and by any person this code covers.

Depending on the severity and circumstances, action may include:

  • Verbal warning.
  • Written warning.
  • Fines.
  • Removal from the sideline or from an event.
  • Temporary suspension from games, practices, or club activities.
  • Restriction of participation privileges, including attendance at club events, participation in club trips and travel, volunteer roles, and sideline access.
  • Removal from a coaching or volunteer position.
  • Suspension or expulsion from BAC programs, or termination of a sponsorship or other club relationship.

Adults and children are treated separately. Where the Board restricts an adult’s participation, attendance, or access, that restriction does not by itself affect the registration or participation of the adult’s child, and the Board’s decision will say so.

How decisions are made. The Board decides at its discretion. Where it restricts a person’s participation beyond a single event, it will tell the person in writing what was decided and the conduct it is based on. The person may send a written response to the President, which the Board will consider. Club leadership may act immediately when needed to protect the safety of players, families, officials, or volunteers, with Board review to follow.

TRAVEL Coaches: Coaches are responsible for paying fines resulting from red cards, misconduct, or any other NHSL violations — BAC will no longer cover these costs, and any fines must be paid prior to returning to practices/games. BAC Leadership reserves the right to impose additional fines and/or suspensions above and beyond those determined by the NHSL/NHSA and, depending on severity, to remove a coach from BAC.

Acknowledgment

Registering a player, participating in or attending a BAC program or activity, serving as a coach or volunteer, or accepting a BAC sponsorship constitutes acknowledgment and acceptance of this Code of Conduct. Violations may result in fines, suspension, removal, or dismissal. Thank you for your cooperation and support.

Questions? Travel Program: travelprogram@bedfordac.com · Rec Program: recsoccer@bedfordac.com · Board: board@bedfordac.com