Hamburg Monarchs Soccer Club is a non-profit 501c3 organization run by a volunteer Board of Directors. Our club is one of the largest in WNY, with over 1,000 participants each year. As one of the leading clubs in the area, we have a long track record of promoting competition, sportsmanship, teamwork, and love of the game. Our goal is to develop not only good players, but good people as well. We believe the lessons and skills learned in athletics are the same ones needed to succeed in life.  

SCROLL DOWN TO VIEW OUR ZERO TOLERANCE POLICY, COACHES CODE OF ETHICS, PARENT CODE OF ETHICS, CLUB POLICIES, NIKE BASE SAFETY INFORMATION AND RELEASES. 

NYSW Zero Tolerance Policy

To help prevent physical assault and verbal abuse and maintain a respectful environment for all, the leagues and clubs within the New York State West Youth Soccer Association (NYSWYSA); the Association has adopted a ZERO TOLERANCE POLICY. This policy applies to all coaches, parents, spectators, players and other supporters and referees effective immediately. Abusive and obscene language, violent play/conduct, fighting and other behavior (including, but not limited to sarcasm, taunting, dissenting to calls, badgering the referee, etc.) deemed detrimental to the game between the above mentioned groups will not be tolerated. 

Coaches

It is the responsibility of all coaches to maintain the highest standards of conduct for themselves, their players and supporters in all matches. Failure to do so undermines the referee’s authority and the integrity of the game resulting in a hostile environment for players, the referee(s), coaches, assistant coaches, bench personnel and spectators. Coaches are expected to be supportive of, and to acknowledge the effort, good play and sportsmanship on the part of ALL players from either team in a contest. By example, coaches, assistant coaches and bench personnel must have respect for their opponent, referees and spectators at all times.

No coach shall persistently address the referee or assistant referees at any time.

This includes, but is not limited to:

a.) Coaches shall not interact directly or indirectly with the coaches or players of the opposing team or the game officials during the game in any manner that may be construed as negative, hostile or sarcastic either by way of demonstrative actions and gestures or by ill-intentioned remarks.

b.) Coaches shall not offer dissent to any call made by the referee(s) at any time. Referees are not required to explain rules of the game or justification for their calls.

The ONLY allowable exceptions to the above are:

a.)   Respond to a referee who has initiated a conversation.

b.)   Point out emergency or safety issues.

c.)   Make substitutions.

d.)   Ask for the time remaining in the half.

Polite and friendly concern can be exchanged with the referee. If the polite tone of the conversation changes, the referee may abandon the exchange at any time. Absolutely no sarcasm, harassment or intimidation is allowed.

Parents & Spectators

No parent or spectator shall persistently address the referee or assistant referees at any time.

This includes, but is not limited to:

a.)   Parents and spectators shall not dispute calls during or after the game.

b.)   Parents and spectators shall not make remarks to the referee(s) or advise the referee(s) to watch certain players or attend to rough play.

c.)   Parents and spectators shall never yell at the referee(s), including criticism, sarcasm, harassment, intimidation or feedback of any kind before, during or after the game.

The ONLY allowable exceptions to the above are:

a.)   Parents and spectators may respond to a referee who has initiated a conversation, until such time as the referee terminates the conversation.

b.)   Parents and spectators may point out an emergency or safety issues, such as a player apparently injured on the field or observed fighting.

Additionally, parents and spectators shall not make derogatory comments to players or coaches of either team.

Players

The conduct of the players is governed by the Laws of the Game as stated by FIFA and USSF. The Laws themselves describe penalties associated with violating the Laws of the Game. Additional penalties for players who engage in misconduct may be established by the club and/or league but may in no case be less severe than penalties established by FIFA, USSF, or NYSWYSA.

No player shall persistently address the referee or assistant referees at any time.

This includes, but is not limited to:

a.) Players shall not interact directly or indirectly with the coaches or players of the opposing team or the game officials during the game in any manner that may be construed as negative, hostile or sarcastic either by way of demonstrative actions and gestures or by ill-intentioned remarks.

b.) Coaches shall not offer dissent to any call made by the referee(s) at any time. Referees are not required to explain rules of the game or justification for their calls.

The ONLY allowable exceptions to the above are:

a.)   Respond to a referee who has initiated a conversation.

b.)   Point out emergency or safety issues.

Penalties

In the opinion of the referee, depending on the severity of the offense, the referee may take any of the following actions:

a.)   The referee may issue a verbal warning to the offending party

b.)   The referee may eject the offending party. Once ejected, the individual(s) will be required to leave the location immediately.

c.)   The referee should abandon the game, if the offending party does not leave the field or any immediate adjoining area after having been instructed to do so.

d.)   The offending party will be subject to removal from the league for several games, the rest of the season or indefinitely at the discretion of the Board of Directors. Legal or criminal actions may be taken against the offending party depending on the severity of the offense committed.

Please keep in mind

Referees are human. They will make mistakes and the wrong calls from time to time. Don’t sweat it. Berating the referee will NOT result in calls in your favor. It WILL result in your removal. Children will not remember the score of a specific game; they will remember you getting kicked out. Only when you are a perfect coach or your child is a perfect player, will we ever see a perfect referee.

All participants electronically agree to the Zero Tolerance Policy and Parent Code of Ethics upon registering for the league. Failure to abide by the Zero Tolerance Policy and the Parent Code of Ethics will result in further action at the discretion of the Hamburg Soccer Club Board of Directors.

CODE OF ETHICS/CONDUCT FOR COACHES

I hereby pledge to live up to the following code set forth by the NYSCA and the HAMBURG MONARCHS SOCCER CLUB: 

I will place the emotional and physical well being of my players ahead of a personal desire to win.

I will treat each player as an individual, remembering the large range of emotional and physical development for the same age group.

I will do my best to provide a safe playing situation for my players.

I promise to review and practice basic first aid principles needed to treat injuries of my players.

I will do my best to organize practices that are fun and challenging for all of my players.

I will lead by example in demonstrating fair play and sportsmanship to all of my players.

I will provide a sports environment for my team that is free of drugs, tobacco, and alcohol, and I will refrain from their use at all youth sports events.

I will be knowledgeable in the rules of play for each sport that I coach (including any special or local rules).  I will teach these rules to my players.  I will follow these rules at all times and demand that anyone involved with my team does so as well.

I will use coaching techniques appropriate for all of the skills that I teach.

I will remember that I am a youth sports coach, and that the game is for children and not adults.

I will accept responsibility for and demand that players, parents and coaches from my team respect and follow the rules of the facilities granted to the league.

I will treat referees, opposing coaches, opposing players, league officials, and all fans with respect.  I will refrain from openly and publicly criticizing the aforementioned individuals at all times.

I will use appropriate language and display appropriate behavior at all times. 

I will refrain from cursing, swearing, name calling, yelling, harassment, threats, taunting, intimidation, disrespect, discrimination, or unwanted physical contact toward any player, parent, coach, staff, or official. 

I understand that the HAMBURG MONARCHS SOCCER CLUB reserves the right to conduct thorough criminal background checks of all youth sports coaches under its auspices. I will comply with same and submit any and all information needed to complete said background checks. 

I hereby pledge to provide positive support and encouragement for my child participating in youth sports by following this
Parent Code of Ethics:

I will:
...Encourage good sportsmanship by demonstrating positive support for all players, coaches, parents, staff, and officials at every game, practice or other youth sports event.
...Place the emotional and physical well being of my child ahead of my personal desire to win.
...Insist that my child play in a safe and healthy environment.
...Require that my child’s coach be trained in the responsibilities of being a youth sports coach.
...Support coaches and officials working with my child, in order to encourage a positive and enjoyable experience for all.
...Do my best to make youth sports fun for my child.
...Expect my child to treat other players, coaches, fans, and officials with respect regardless of race, sex, creed or ability.
...Help my child enjoy the youth sports experience by doing whatever I can, such as being a respectful fan, assisting with coaching, or providing transportation. 
...Remember that the game is for youth, not adults.
...Refrain from dissenting or arguing with calls made by officials
...Demand a sports environment for my child that is free from drugs, tobacco and alcohol and will refrain from their use at all youth sports events. 
...Refrain from cursing, swearing, name calling, yelling, harassment, threats, taunting, intimidation, disrespect, discrimination, or unwanted physical contact toward any player, parent, coach, staff, or official. 

I understand that: 
...Any parent, player, or spectator not in compliance with the Parent Code of Ethics is subject to removal from the league at the discretion of the Hamburg Monarchs Soccer Club Board of Directors 
...The Parent Code of Ethics applies to all spectators at Hamburg Monarchs Soccer Club's games, practices, or functions. 
...The parents/guardians of individual players are responsible for relaying the Code of Ethics to any other friends or family members that may attend Hamburg Monarchs Soccer Club's games, practices, or functions. 

I agree that: 
...If I fail to abide by the aforementioned rules and guidelines, I will be subject to disciplinary action that could include, but is not limited to the following:
1. A verbal warning by an official, head coach, club employee, and/or board member
2. Written warning 
3. Player / parental / spectator game(s) / practice(s) suspension
4. Player / parental / spectator season suspension 
5. Removal from the league 
* The Hamburg Soccer Club Board of Directors reserves the right to proceed to any step of the disciplinary process at their discretion and depending on the severity of the offense committed

Copy righted: National Alliance for Youth Sports©

1. Hamburg Monarchs Soccer Club has a 'No Refund' policy for the House League and the Travel/Premier Leagues. Players who are not registered or paid for their appropriate league may not play under any circumstances. 

2. If we receive notice of insufficient funds for a check made out to our club, you will be responsible for the fees associated with a bounced check.

3. Due to a high volume of player/coach/team requests for our Outdoor House League, only siblings can request to be on the same team. Each coach also gets 1 player request.

4. Players with unpaid accounts are subject to suspension from training and games until that balance is paid.

5. All House League players must play in their correct age group based on their birth year.

6. For travel players, there is no playing up in age group (ex. U12 player playing in U14) and all players must tryout for their correct age group based on his or her birth year. All final decisions are based on Board of Director approval. Policy revised as of 9/19/19. 

7. Anyone not in compliance with the Code of Ethics toward any players, coaches, officials, staff, or parents is subject to suspension or removal from the league, per the discretion of the Board of Directors. The Code of Ethics can be found in the "About us" section of the website.

8. Any scholarship request must be made before House League or Travel payments are due. Families/players receiving a scholarship must volunteer with the club in some capacity for the season in which the scholarship is received.

9. Any person who registers and pays by mistakes is subject to administrative fees.

10. Anyone not in compliance with Club Policies is subject to suspension or removal from the league. 

1. All people entering the Nike Base should obey all traffic signs (including the "STOP" sign upon entrance to the Nike Base, all "No Parking" signs, and "Handicapped Parking" signs.

2. The Nike Base parking lot speed limit is 10 Mph.

3. People may not make u-turns near the front of the lot- they must circle around. 

4. Children are only to be dropped off or picked up at the back of the lot on the side in which they are playing-please utilize your blinkers when doing so and watch for children crossing. 

5. Dropping players off or pulling over near the snack shack is not allowed. 

6. The parking by the Nike Base shed is reserved for board members, workers, travel coaches, and those with a handicap sticker (only if all other handicap spots are taken).

7. No smoking or dogs allowed per Town of Hamburg policy. 

8. Anyone not in compliance with these rules will be subject to disciplinary action per the Hamburg Soccer Club Board of Directors and possibly the Town of Hamburg Police Department. 

I, ______________________________________ the parent or legal guardian of the registrant, _____________________ a minor,
agrees that the registrant and I will abide by the rules of the Hamburg Monarchs Soccer Club (HSC) and B.W.N.Y.J.S.L. Recognizing the possibility of injury associated with soccer and consideration for the HSC accepting the registrant for its soccer programs and activities (the “programs”), I hereby release, discharge and/or otherwise identify the HSC, Town of Hamburg Recreation Department, its sponsors, and associated personnel, including the owners of the fields and facilities utilized for the programs against any claim by or on behalf of the registrant as a result of the registrant’s participation in the programs and/or being transported to or from the same, which transportation I hereby authorize. In addition, as the parent or legal guardian or the registrant, I hereby give consent for emergency medical care prescribed by a duly licensed Doctor of Medicine or Doctor of Dentistry. This care may be given under whatever conditions are necessary to preserve the life, limb or well being of my dependent.

I hereby grant permission to the Hamburg Soccer Club to use my photograph on its World Wide Web site or in other official Hamburg Soccer related printed publications without further consideration, and I acknowledge the Club’s right to crop or treat the photograph at its discretion. I also acknowledge that the Club’s may choose not to use my photo at this time, but may do so at its own discretion at a later date. I also understand that once my image is posted on Hamburg Soccer Club's website, the image can be downloaded by any computer user. Therefore, I agree to indemnify and hold harmless from any claims the following: Board Members, all coaches, and all volunteers of Hamburg Monarchs Soccer Club. Hamburg Monarchs Soccer Club reserves the right to discontinue use of photos without notice.