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Administrative Procedure 263: SPECTATOR CODE OF CONDUCT

Background

Westwind School Division recognizes and encourages athletics and extra-curricular activities as a part of a sound educational program.

Spectators are an invaluable component of our student-athletes’ experiences at athletic contests. As guests of the Division, and as a condition of such permission, spectators must comply with the Division’s policies and procedures. These expectations are to protect the rights of students to participate without fear of interference and to permit the administrators and officials of school athletic activities to perform their duties without interference.

The Division, its employees and its students have the responsibility to ensure that every student is provided with a safe, respectful and caring environment that fosters and maintains respectful and responsible behaviours. This responsibility is also to maintain a safe and harassment-free environment for our students and staff. The Division relies on the general public’s cooperation in modelling and promoting respectful, responsible behaviours at all times. These responsibilities are to support the Board’s vision, mission, and core values and the responsibility to take reasonable measures to care for and protect our students and staff from harm.

Definition

Sportsmanship refers to the ethical and moral principles that guide behaviour in athletic competition. It involves demonstrating respect, fairness, honesty, and kindness towards opponents, officials, and teammates, regardless of the outcome of the event. Sportsmanship also involves exhibiting self-control, discipline, and good judgment in the face of victory or defeat, and upholding the values of integrity and dignity in all aspects of athletic competition.

Procedures

  1. The Westwind School Division Spectator Code of Conduct will be read aloud before all school or division-operated activities.
  2. Every activity participant, spectator, official, staff, and student at any school or division-operated event or activity is required to:
    1. Demonstrate ethical behaviours and good sportsmanship at all times and demonstrate respect, courtesy, and consideration in all interactions.
    2. Ensure his/her conduct contributes to a caring, respectful and safe environment and respect the professional judgment of teachers, coaches, game officials, volunteers and other adults or students providing support or service to the school or for other students.
    3. Refrain from comments or behaviour which are disrespectful, offensive, racist, discriminatory, disruptive, sexist, intimidating, insulting and/or offensive to the person(s) organizing, attending, officiating, and/or participating in a school activity or event sponsored by the school of Division.
    4. Subject student-athletes, officials, coaches or school administrators to behaviour and/or language aimed to demean, disrespect or harm.
  3. In the event that any person fails to meet the requirements outlined above, is reported to verbally or physically disrupt, or threatens to disrupt, the operations of a school-related activity, threaten the health and safety or well-being of a student, staff, official, or parent of a student enrolled in a school operated by the Division, this will constitute a breach of this Administrative Procedure. 
    1. Any person who fails to meet the abovementioned expectations may be subject to the following outcomes at the discretion of the Principal or a person designated under the school or Division’s authority, with or without warning.  
      1. Immediate ejection from the event and/or school
      2. Restricted access to future school or division activities
      3. The Principal or designate may meet with that person to review the matter and expectations following the event.
    2. In the event that a person seriously violates the proceedings of a school activity or refuses to vacate school property following a request from the Principal or designate, law enforcement may be contacted to assist in dealing with that person and to ensure the safety of students, staff and others. 
  4. In the event that any person is deemed to be under the influence of drugs, alcohol, cannabis, or any other substance, that person will be requested to leave the school property or event by a Principal or a person designated under the school or Division’s authority.
  5. The Principal or a person designated under the school or Division’s authority reserves the right to stop the event immediately to meet with the coaches and the game officials about the next possible outcomes of violating this expectation, which could include:
    1. Forfeiture of the event or future events
    2. Resuming the game without fans 
    3. Scheduling future games without fans 
    4. Restrictions/suspensions from future attendance/participation

Reference

Section 11, 31, 33, 36, 37, 52, 53, 196, 197, 213, 222 Education Act

Approved: March 1, 2023

Last Updated: March 8, 2023