Houston Skyline The Woodlands with LOVB Player/Family Code of Conduct

Houston Skyline The Woodlands  is part of League One Volleyball (LOVB) – a community built on human connection and life-long belonging.  We are deeply committed to the physical safety and social and emotional well-being of all members of our Houston Skyline The Woodlands and LOVB community. We do not tolerate actions that undermine these values.

Players and their families, like all members of the community who contribute to the experiences of our athletes, have a responsibility to maintain a safe training and competitive environment for the athletes so that they can develop the confidence, self-belief, and resilience to be their best selves.

Standards of Behavior

Our families are representatives of Houston Skyline The Woodlands and League One Volleyball, and we expect our families and athletes to adhere to a high standard of behavior. Players and player families will be required to pledge their cooperation and conduct during training and the competitive season to uphold the following standards:

• Encourage and demonstrate good sportsmanship and positive support for all athletes, coaches, parents, opponents, and officials at all games, practices, tournaments, and events.  
• Acknowledge that expression of negative opinions, comments and/or statements about athletes, parents, coaches, opponents, and officials may be cause for ejection and further disciplinary action. 
• Unsportsmanlike conduct by players and player families, including but not limited to, booing, ridiculing, taunting, actively ignoring coaches/teammates (also known as silent bullying), refusing to shake hands, or the use of profane language or gestures is prohibited.  
• Abstain from partaking in drugs, alcohol, and tobacco products while participating in all games, practices, tournaments, and events.
• Respect all athletes, teammates, opponents, coaches, parents, and officials regardless of race, creed, gender, religious or political affiliation, sexual orientation, or ability.  Respect facilities and do your part to keep them clean.
• Prioritize emotional and physical well-being of the athletes. Please inform coaches of any illness or injury that may affect the safety of the athlete or team.
• Notify coaches as far in advance as possible of scheduling conflicts as to adequately prepare practice and tournament plans.
• Recognize that playing time is not guaranteed in club volleyball.  

All athletes and athlete families must be respectful fans by following all the above guidelines. In addition, all conflicts or club issues must be addressed after a cooling off period of at least 24 hours after completion of tournament play. Complaint protocol is at the discretion of each club’s management.

Our community is a safe place where fear has no place. We are committed to doing the right thing if any incident arises that undermines the safety of this community.  If you at any time become aware of:

1. Child Abuse:  Immediately report it to local authorities
2. Abuse or Sexual Misconduct (as defined in the SafeSport Code), promptly report it to SafeSport online or by phone:
   1. SafeSport Online Reporting Form
   2. SafeSport: 1-833-587-7233 (24/7; operator available Monday-Friday, 9-5pm)
   3. Report to your club director and to  [email protected] 
3. Other forms of misconduct (including physical misconduct, emotional misconduct, bullying, hazing and/or harassment) and Minor Athlete Abuse Prevention Policies (MAAPP) Violations, promptly report it to USAV and/or SafeSport:
   1. Report to your club director first
   2. Report to [email protected] 
   3. USAV Incident Reporting Form, 1-855-306-7775
4. Firearm Policy:  Even if state law allows concealed firearms or open carry, our LOVB facilities do not permit firearms or deadly weapons of any kind in our gyms.  Refusal to comply could result in termination.

Safe@LOVB Family Educational Options 

Education and awareness are essential in creating a positive and safe experience. To assist our families, we are providing two complementary courses that we believe LOVB families will benefit from.

• U.S. Center for SafeSport Parent’s Guide to Misconduct in Sport
• Positive Coaching Alliance Second-Goal Parent Course (dates for this courses will be shared with families in the fall)

If you need additional help or do not feel comfortable with the above resources, then please report to safe@lovb.com

I,_______________  (parent/guardian of) _______________  (athlete), acknowledge acceptance of all of the above. I also agree to take financial responsibility for the contract that has been agreed and signed allowing athlete participation. I acknowledge that refusal to adhere to this Code of Conduct will result in disciplinary action. This may include: (a) the removal of the athlete from participation due to argument or disagreement with a coach, athlete, opponent, or official; (b) forfeiture of the athlete’s right to play for Houston Skyline The Woodlands, League One Volleyball, or any of its affiliate clubs at any future event; (c) temporary suspension; (d) exclusion of an athlete’s family member at practices, tournaments, and club events.