ACAMIS SPORTS LEAGUE STATEMENT OF PHILOSOPHY

The ACAMIS sports league is focused on learning, sportsmanship and fair play both in preparation for, and during, sports competitions. The growth of our student-athletes is paramount.
Each member schools of ACAMIS, including the Head of School, the Athletics Director, the coaches and the wider school community recognise and agree that:
• Sports participation is first and foremost for the physical, social and emotional benefits that it can bring.
• The satisfaction at the end of the competition comes from knowing you’ve done your best and losing can be an important learning experience.
• Success comes in different ways for different teams and winning is not the only success factor.
• An ethic of fair play should be a cultural norm in ACAMIS competitions. A ‘Winning at all costs’ approach is not appropriate in an ACAMIS tournament.
• Rules should be viewed as an important part of maintaining fairness in a competition. Coaches and players should not look to exploit rules, but rather always play within the spirit of the rule.
• The opponent is not the enemy. They offer us an opportunity to learn and to demonstrate our ability, determination and class.
• We treat everyone with respect. This includes our own team members, the opponents, officials, and spectators.
• Coaches and spectators should remain positive and supportive of the athletes. Criticizing a referee or celebrating a mistake of the opposition does not contribute to the growth of our athletes. We celebrate our successes and learn from our mistakes.
• Athletes should be encouraged to understand that it is a privilege to represent their school and to do so in the best manner possible both in and out of competition
• Coaches have a responsibility towards the welfare of the student-athletes in their care. In particular, coaches should:
o be a positive role model for the players with regard to their behaviour towards their athletes, the opposition athletes, parents, coaches and officials
o beanambassadorfortheirschoolthroughtheirbehaviourandactionsasacoach o be responsible for, and maintain, the health and safety of their athletes whilst in
their care
o find an appropriate balance between the desire to win and the need to ensure
that all athletes gain a positive learning experience.
• Athletics Directors have an overall responsibility for supporting and developing this
philosophy across their school.
• Athletics Directors, as representatives of ACAMIS, should place the importance of
supporting this philosophy above any interest of their own school’s desire to win.
• The Head of School should enable and encourage this philosophy within his/her school’s
Athletics Department.
 Updated 27 Aug 2018