The ESSC promotes sportsmanship above all else. The goal is for players to have fun, regardless of whether they win or lose. Those who choose to play with the ESSC are required to bring good sporting behavior to the games and to promote and abide by the ESSC sportsmanship policy and values of “fun-first, winning-second.”

 

General Guidelines

  • Players must have control over their emotions and actions at all times.
  • Player should treat opponents, ESSC office and field staff and facility staff with fairness, courtesy and respect.
  • Verbal or physical abuse will not be tolerated.
  • Players should not retaliate or react in a negative way to any situation or player regardless of the circumstance. Retaliation will be subject to the same consequences as instigation.
  • When required, feedback should be provided in a constructive way.
  • Teams should be open to receiving feedback from the Coordinator and/or opponent.
  • All facilities must be treated with respect - this includes, but is not limited to: wearing appropriate footwear, not consuming alcohol on facility property, not littering, not using unauthorized equipment, not urinating in undesignated areas, not entering a facility before the permit time begins and leaving the facility by the end of the permit time.

The ESSC will not tolerate players who do not follow these sportsmanship guidelines. Violation of these guidelines could result in suspension or ejection from the league.

Zero Tolerance Policy

ESSC Staff (including Games/Event/Beach Volleyball Coordinators) reserve the right to remove players immediately from a facility and/or league, tournament, or event if they are involved with any of the following acts toward a coordinator, facility staff, player, or spectator:

  • Using racial, ethnic, homophobic, fatphobic, gendered, transphobic, sexist, sexual, disability or other slurs
  • Swearing directly at another person
  • Intentionally pushing, shoving, or making physical contact with another person
  • Instigating and/or retaliating in an altercation
  • Displaying disrespectful or threatening behavior

If a player is ejected due to unsportsmanlike play, they must vacate the facility immediately, inclusive of the parking lot.

SSC Inclusion, Anti-Discrimination and Anti-Racism Policy

The Sport and Social Club (SSC) recognizes that racism, discrimination, harassment, bullying, and violence is harmful to our community, not only for the group(s) targeted, but for all SSC participants. The SSC is committed to creating and maintaining a safe sport environment which is free of discrimination and harassment, where all individuals are treated with respect and dignity, can contribute fully and have equal opportunities. All SSC participants are expected to uphold these values and actively maintain a sport environment that fosters respect, is anti-discriminatory, and actively anti-racist. Please click here to read our full SSC Inclusion, Anti-Discrimination and Anti-Racism Policy (last updated July 20, 2021).

If you want to learn how you can bring inclusion to the playing field, click here for our tips and tricks.

Sportsmanship Ratings

The sportsmanship rating system was implemented when the ESSC first started to ensure that all players maintain a fun and sportsmanlike attitude. It has been adapted over time to promote the fun-first mentality, and enhance the experience for players. Ratings are handed out by the opposition and the Games Coordinator (in some cases) at the end of each game.
 

Rating Explanation
(+1)

The team had an appropriate level of sportsmanship, played by the rules, and did not hinder the experience of their opponent. There were either no issues with the team or only a few minor issues that were resolved at the game.
(0)

The team did not meet the expected standard for sportsmanship, did not play by the rules of the sport, did not call their own fouls, or had a notable negative impact on their opponents. There were some major issues that were not appropriately resolved at the game, and may require follow-up from the ESSC.

 
‘0’ Rating

All 0 ratings must be accompanied by a complaint form and submitted by 5:00pm the day following the game, outlining the issues that were present otherwise the 0 rating will not be upheld.

Sportsmanship in the Standings

How Spirit Points Impact the Standings:

Spirit Points are used as the 1st tie breaker in the standings, and do not contribute to any points earned from wins and ties.

Should two (or more) teams be tied for a playoff spot at the conclusion of the regular season, the team with the highest spirit point value will advance. If these values are the same, standard point-differential will be used.

PLS - Points Lost Due to Sportsmanship Ratings: There is a column in the standings titled PLS that can negatively affect a team’s total points. A team will be given a 'PLS' and have 2 points (equivalent of one win) subtracted from their total points in the following situations:   

  • When a team receives three 0 spirit ratings in a season, a PLS will apply.
  • Any subsequent 0 ratings awarded after the initial three will also result in PLS.