Parent & Spectator Code of Conduct

We believe parents are an important part of every athlete’s journey. We welcome parents to watch academy sessions because we see them as partners in their child’s development — not just spectators.

That partnership works when everyone in the gym is pulling in the same direction. This code sets out how.

What we ask of parents and spectators

Let the coaches coach. Athletes cannot process instructions from two directions at once. During sessions and matches, please leave technical instruction to the coaching staff — even when you disagree, and even when you are right.

Cheer effort, not just outcomes. Encouragement for effort, resilience and good decisions does more for a young athlete than praise reserved for points won.

Respect officials. Officials are often young, and always learning. Publicly criticising them teaches athletes that blame is an acceptable response to adversity.

Respect opponents. Every athlete on the other side of the net is somebody’s child, learning the same game.

Keep the sideline positive. Athletes hear far more from the sideline than adults realise. No athlete should be able to pick their parent’s voice out of a gym for the wrong reason.

Model the behaviour you want. Athletes learn how to handle pressure, disappointment and unfairness primarily by watching adults do it.

Be on time. Arrive for drop-off and pick-up promptly, and let us know in advance about absences.

Follow facility rules. Each venue has its own requirements for footwear, access, food and spectator areas.

What is not acceptable

• Abusive, aggressive, demeaning or discriminatory language or behaviour toward anyone.
• Confronting officials, coaches, athletes or other spectators.
• Coaching from the sideline in a way that contradicts or undermines the coaching staff.
• Criticising an athlete — your own or another family’s — in front of others.
• Entering the playing area during a session without invitation.
• Filming or photographing other people’s children without consent, or sharing such material.
• Attending under the influence of alcohol or drugs.

Talking to us

We value parent feedback, ideas and suggestions. While our coaches are responsible for delivering the program, we believe the best organizations listen, learn and continue to grow.

To make those conversations useful, we ask that:

• concerns about coaching, playing time or grouping are raised away from the athletes, not on the sideline;
• you allow a 24-hour window after a session or match before raising a heated concern — it helps everyone;
• questions about an athlete’s development go to coaches@primepotentialvolleyball.ca, and administrative or registration questions go to stewart@primepotentialvolleyball.ca.

We will always respond respectfully, and we would rather hear a concern early than have it grow.

Photography and video

Sessions are filmed for coaching purposes. Please review our Photo & Video Consent for how that footage is used and what choices you have.

Consequences

Where this code is not met, we will normally begin with a quiet, direct conversation. Where behaviour continues or is serious, we may ask a spectator to leave a session, restrict attendance at future sessions, or — in serious cases — withdraw an athlete’s place in the program.

We do not take these steps lightly. We take them because every athlete in the gym deserves to learn without fear.

Our commitment to you

In return, we commit to communicating openly about what athletes are working on and why, being honest about where an athlete is developing well and where they need work, keeping your family’s information confidential, and treating you as a partner.

Prime Potential Volleyball is more than a volleyball academy — it is a community built on trust, respect, collaboration and shared goals.

It takes everyone for everyone to reach their Prime Potential.