Club
Values
We are dedicated to developing players in an environment that nurtures both their football skills and personal growth. We aim to help them become not only outstanding athletes but also well-rounded individuals who make positive contributions to society.
Sharks Values
Hard Work
We outwork every opponent, pushing each other to improve every day, on the pitch and off it.
Discipline
We show up prepared, stay accountable, and do the simple things well in everything we do.
Respect
Respect starts with us. We give it first and earn it through the way we play and how we behave.
Humility
We celebrate victories, stay humble, and handle success or setbacks with equal grace.
Sharks Integrity Standards
We take pride in maintaining the highest level of professionalism, respect, and ethical behaviour across all aspects of our club. These standards are designed to ensure that all players, parents, coaches, and staff conduct themselves in a manner that reflects our commitment to fairness, accountability, and respect. By adhering to these standards, we foster a positive and supportive environment where everyone can thrive both on and off the field.
Players
- We expect 100% commitment at every training session. Injured players are still required to attend unless they are physically unable, contagious or have a scheduled physiotherapy session.
- Players must wear the correct uniform at all times.
- Home and away change rooms, dugouts and benches must be left clean and tidy after every match.
Parents
- To maintain a positive and supportive club environment, we ask parents to keep conversations at games constructive and avoid negativity, as this can cause unrest and disharmony. Parents should be aware that creating disharmony could lead to being asked to leave the club or exclusion from team selection.
- Parents should not engage directly with coaches at training or games. Regularly scheduled parent/player/coach reviews are available for such communication.
- If you have an urgent concern about your child, please arrange an unscheduled review with the coach or TD through the team manager. Communications should always be respectful.
- Parents must refrain from entering the pitch at any time.
- To minimise distractions, parents are strongly discouraged from attending training sessions.
Managers
- Managers must have no influence over, or involvement in, team selection.
Coaches
- Coaches are prohibited from offering external training or academy sessions to players within their own squad.
- We play to win. Youth coaches are required to select the strongest team based on transparent and well-communicated selection criteria including effort and attention at training, attitude, discipline, game day performance and cohesion within the playing group.
- Coaches must communicate team selection decisions clearly, emphasising areas for improvement.
- Coaches (with the help of players) must return all equipment used for training to the gear room in a neat and tidy manner.
Sponsor and Coaches Conflict of Interest Policy
As a volunteer-run, not-for-profit club, sponsorship is essential to the ongoing success of Sutherland Sharks FC. We also recognise that at times, the best coach for a team may have a child or relative in the squad. In these instances, upholding the club’s integrity is our top priority. As such, we have strict measures in place to prevent any conflicts of interest in sponsorship and coaching arrangements.
To ensure impartiality, any child of a coach or sponsor trialling for a team or being considered for retention must receive unanimous approval from the Technical Director, Club President, and an independent committee member. If any of these individuals have a personal relationship with the coach or sponsor, they will be replaced by a committee member without such connections. The club’s integrity takes precedence over all sponsorship considerations.
Conflict Resolution
The Sharks provide an anonymous reporting system for players and parents to report ethical concerns directly to the player welfare officer without any fear of repercussions.