As representatives of Badminton Newfoundland and Labrador (Badminton NL) athletes are expected to maintain high standards of moral and ethical conduct, which includes self-control and responsible behaviour on and off court.
1. Players must always treat opponents, partners, coaches, officials, tournament organizers, members of the public, and all public or private property with respect at all times.
2. Players must uphold the standards of Fair Play and exhibit a high level of sportsmanship and team spirit.
3. Players must refrain from the use of loud, profane, insulting, harassing or otherwise offensive language. Abusive behaviour and racquet throwing are strictly prohibited. In an umpired match, the player’s conduct will be penalized as necessary by the umpire. In a match without an umpire, the referee will address the behaviour.
4. If a problem occurs with an opponent during a match, athletes are expected to speak to the referee immediately and ask for an official, if appropriate. Coaches, spectators or parents may not get involved in any such problem.
5. Players must report to the draw desk as soon as their match is called. When walking to the court, they must not walk across, behind or beside a court while a shuttle is in play.
6. Once the match begins, play is continuous. Players may not leave the court until the match is finished, unless permitted by an umpire or referee. Players are advised to bring water, towels, spare rackets to the court.
7. Players must retrieve shuttles falling on their side of the net and return them promptly to their opponents. It is suggested that players call out the score before each service, which should be delivered as soon as opponents are ready. This will help reduce disputes over scoring.
8. When there are no linesmen, players must always make fair, quick and accurate line calls. If unable to make a call, players are expected to call in their opponent’s favour.
9. Athletes are expected to abide by reasonable requests from tournament officials, coaches, managers or chaperons.
10. Players shall always dress in appropriate court wear when competing in events.
11. Players must abide by the laws of badminton and observe all regulations of the tournament.
12. Athletes are expected to respect the property in their lodgings and be in their assigned bed space overnight. Any damage caused by an athlete, either intentionally or accidentally, will be the responsibility of the individual athlete and/or parents.
13. Athletes under 18 years of age shall not leave the venue or lodgings without supervision by the coach, assistant coach or manager unless arrangements have been made by parents, e.g. family visits, and the coach advised.
14. Coaches/managers must ensure that players abide by any curfew set by management/coaching staff and/or host organizing committee.
15. Players may not possess or use any illegal drugs, nor any drug banned by the World Anti-Doping Agency (https://www.wada-ama.org/en/what-we-do/prohibited-list).
16. Players competing as members of a Badminton NL team may not possess or use alcohol or tobacco in any form, nor electronic e-liquids, e-cigarettes, nor any vaping product, from the time of commencement of travel to the competition or training event, and until the end of return travel home.
Failure to abide by this Code of Conduct or any applicable rules or regulations may result in disciplinary action by the referee, host tournament organizing committee, Badminton Canada or Badminton NL.
Disciplinary action may include but is not limited to: warning; disqualification from tournament; immediate return home at athlete’s expense; suspension of funding; dismissal from Badminton NL Provincial team; or revocation of Badminton NL and/or Badminton Canada membership.