For this week’s edition of #dontbethatpaent we are going to focus on the important role our Coaches play for sideline behaviour, few would know but our Coaches were fundamental contributors when we started on the sideline behaviour journey.

As trusted mentors and teachers of our kids, our coaching group back in 2016 adopted the coaching box policy including “One Voice”, dealing with sideline behaviour from our enthusiastic parents trying coach from around and near our Coaches box.
The message to our players was getting very confused. By introduce the “One Voice” we allowed the coaches to manage who from the coach’s box was giving the right message to our players. This evolved to 3 simple rules as part of our coaching box policy.

One Voice from the Coaches box. This includes officials and spectators.
Runners run, not standing on the boundary and yelling instructions. reenforcing the EDFL rules of runners delivering a message and then returning to the Coaches box.
Let the coaches coach, this one is for the parents and officials. We need to support our Coaches of all experience leaves and let them coach on the day.
The Match Day Official, supporting the game by modelling respect, de-escalating issues, and ensuring a safe environment for players, umpires, and spectators.

Promotes and reinforces expected behaviour among supporters, ensuring they remain respectful and positive.
Walks the boundary regularly to ensure spectators stay behind the fence/second line and stay clear of the coach’s exclusion zone.
Attends the centre square during breaks to receive updates from umpires and communicate any key points back to your team.
Raise any concerns about opposition or sideline behaviour with the opposing Match Day Official, and inform the umpire if the issue is significant

Keep up all the good work on the sidelines and continue to keep it calm on the boundary.

#dontbethatparent Member Clubs
Moonee Valley (originating Club)
Ascot vale
Burnside Heights
Coburg Juniors
East Sunbury
Gisborne Rookies
Hadfield
Hillside
Keilor Park
Maribyrnong Park
St Albans
Sunbury Lions Junior
Taylors Lakes
West Meadows
West Coburg


Brad Young
MVFC Juniors
#Dontbethatparent Ambassador