Defining expectations and priorities for players and parents as members of the club is important as experience tells us that one of the key ingredients to a successful club is creating and utilizing clear and consistent communication between the Pinellas Park Board of Directors, Directors of Coaching, the coaching staff, Pinellas Park players, parents and the community. 

Parental support and involvement in Pinellas Park is essential. Pinellas Park is not only an organization of players, but of members and families. Your son or daughter’s playing commitment also involves your support and commitment. There may be times when conflicts occur. It is absolutely necessary that parents and players communicate with Pinellas Park in a timely fashion with good information.

We ask players to be proactive in speaking with their head coaches, the Directors of Coaching, and Pinellas Park Board of Directors. Their willingness to ask questions, inquire about playing time, positional play or player management issues is absolutely necessary in order to develop a relationship with the technical staff of coaches and directors. Encourage your son or daughter to take the initiative to do this! Parents may attend meetings between coaching staff and players but the dialogue is between the coaching staff and the player.

Parents are asked to refrain from coaching your son or daughter during games. No matter how good your intentions are parents may not instruct and coach players or harass game officials. Parents are encouraged to voice their support and encouragement. Passion and enthusiasm for the players, the team, and the club are welcome!

Players and parents that become members of Pinellas Park should understand that:  

In instances where there are conflicts between the individual and the team, the team head coach in conjunction with the Directors of Coaching and Pinellas Park President will be responsible for resolving the issue.

Player performance and placement are subject to review and at the professional discretion of the Directors of Coaching and the coaching staff of Pinellas Park. Players are assessed and placed into teams based upon the technical, tactical, physical and psychological components. The staff will deal with Player evaluations and placement honestly and we ask that parents respect the judgment of the technical people in these areas.

Our policy is that once players are registered to Pinellas Park it is a matter of placement versus tryouts. Players registered to Pinellas Park are evaluated during the entire competitive year. Players may be asked to play on different teams during the season, or in an older age group (playing up).

Players are not “cut” for reasons of falling out of form as it is part of our philosophy to develop a spectrum of players participating at the elite level or of more average talent.  Players can and will be “cut” for being problematic in lacking discipline, character, behavior, responsibility or integrity.

We ask players to avoid finding excuses to substantiate poor training habits, poor performances or less than desirable outcomes of matches. We ask players to ignore the effect of:

·    Poor judgment by the referee

·    Poor field conditions or inclement weather

·    Negative behavior by opponents or opposing parents

·    Rough play by the opposition

We ask and expect that parents adopt the same approach. This allows young players to become responsible for their actions and outcomes.

There is an expectation of being prompt; being early in order to be on time. Be on time avoids being late.

Players are expected to participate fully and consistently in training, league competition, tournaments and state, regional and national cups with their team.

ALL players are expected to wear the designated ADIDAS uniform and apparel at ALL club league games, tournaments and club sponsored events, training sessions and other activities. ADIDAS is the official eqipment/appareal sponsor of Pinellas Park. Game foot wear is an exception. Players are required to have the proper equipment including ball, shin guards, socks pulled up and shirts tucked in their shorts. When traveling, players are expected to adhere to the required dress code. Travel attire does not include cut off shorts or clothes that fit inappropriately. Players having seniority with a team have the prerogative of selecting numbers for uniforms.

Pinellas Park United ask players to maintain a healthy life style. Use of alcohol, drugs and cigarettes is not tolerated and will result in temporary suspension or ultimate removal from the club.

Pinellas Park Players Code of Conduct for Travel 

Code of Conduct for Travel 

Our on field performance is as important as our character and behavior off the field.  The following are Pinellas Park guidelines and rules / regulations that must be adhered to.

PINELLAS PARK SPONSORSHIP / OFFICIAL ADIDAS GEAR 

All members of Pinellas Park United  are expected to cooperate with our current sponsors in a reasonable fashion as requested. Please make sure that your uniform and all uniform accessories, including warm-ups and equipment bags, are compliant with club policies. We ask that you support the club’s apparel and equipment sponsor, ADIDAS, by using ADIDAS shoes, balls, shin guards and other products whenever possible.

BEHAVIOR/DECORUM

Disrespectful slogans, political statements, disrespectful wording or statements shall not be displayed on the being.  Clothes shall “fit”, nothing too tight or nothing to lose.   No holes or tears in the clothing shall be present. The Head Coach when desired may establish a higher standard.  At no time will the Head Coach set a lesser standard then set forth in these Rules and Regulations. 

ROOM REQUIREMENTS

At no time will anyone of the opposite gender be allowed in each others rooms while club travel is taking place. Players are expected to stay in their assigned room or with parents/guardians. 

TRAVEL CURFEW 

The Head Coach will determine a team curfew. The Club recommended curfew is no later than 11:00 pm in the time zone you are currently staying for any age group.

PINELLAS RIADERS TRAVEL RESPONSIBILITIES 

 The players are expected to travel and stay and participate with the team for the entire event.  The entire event is classified as when the player arrives at their destination and when the player returns to their home field or at the end of the participating tournament. Any exceptions will be granted and determined by the Head Coach.

As far as common practice, all participants on the trip are expected to be polite, positive, well-mannered, cooperative, good sports, and respectful and considerate of others - those you encounter along the way as well as those with whom you are traveling.  Rooms and the vans will need to be kept clean.  

There are times when players may be without direct adult supervision. When this happens, one of the adults will be expected to know where you are and when you will be back.  At the same time, it is always your responsibility to a) know how to find one of the adults, b) to know when and where you are expected to be next, and c) to be there on time.  When you are off without adult supervision, you will always use the “Rule of Three” - at least three players together at all times.