The vast Pima County Junior Soccer League, which has about 5,500 young players and more than 10,000 parents and family members, instituted a Respect the Game policy this year in which parental (and player) behavior is monitored.
When play began last week, βBe Kind To The Gameβ signs were erected at all playing facilities. New code of conduct rules, which donβt tolerate verbal abuse to players, coaches or referees, are monitored by newly-appointed PCJSL marshals.
District commissionerΒ Ted Schmidt, a Tucson attorney, said there were no violations in the first week.
By comparison, there were nine ejections of players/parents in Phoenix as part of the greater Arizona Youth Soccer Association, of which Tucson is a member.
Schmidt said there were two fights involving parents in Phoenix games. In another incident, a parent stopped her van to let several players out to assault a player from the opposing team.
Schmidt is hopeful PCJSL conduct rules will be absorbed by the statewide AYSA next season.
Is this year too soon?
