While the emphasis at Academy is first and foremost on fun, fitness and enjoyment, some students may excel in the sport and begin playing competitively. Like all youth sports programs, it is important and beneficial to all parties to define the parameters of the relationship between program, coaches, parents and students, both during practice, at tournaments and in any situation outside practice.

With this in mind, we have established a Parents Code of Conduct which Academy parents are required to follow.

About the U.S. Squash Parent Code of Conduct

U.S. Squash have developed an excellent framework that helps parents provide the best possible experience for their child as they learn and begin competing in the sport of squash. In addition to the Mission Squash Academy Parent Code of Conduct below, all Academy parents are strongly encouraged to read the U.S. Squash version as well.

At Practice

Parents are very welcome to come and spectate during Academy practices and team matches, and we would encourage you to do so (and volunteer!). However, it's also very important to maintain the integrity of the coach-athlete relationship whenever coaching is in progress. We therefore ask that parents:

• Refrain from interrupting any coaching session, briefing, de-briefing, match or any other activity unless for medical / emergency reasons
• Refrain from any type of inappropriate language or behavior including directly or indirectly insulting or abusive remarks, passive or active aggression towards other parents, students or staff
• Allow coaches to fully handle disciplinary issues during practice
• Refrain from coaching your child during a match, except in the break between games. This is expressly prohibited by the official squash rules, and includes verbal and non-verbal coaching e.g. gestures or hand-signals.
• Praise good play e.g. a winning shot, but it is considered bad etiquette to cheer the opponent's "unforced errors" - for example, hitting the tin.
• Address any concerns privately and professionally with coaches, so that they can be resolved collaboratively and without distress to students or disruption to practice
• Provide equal support to all other students taking part in the program - including students that are competing against your own. Examples of this would include praising good shots from both players during a match, or going out of your way to praise both competitors after a hard-fought match
• Parents must never administer first-aid to another student unless the situation is life-threatening and the parent has received first-aid training

At Tournaments

Both parents and students are expected to uphold the highest standards of behavior should they have the privilege of playing in tournaments, where they will effectively be representing the whole Mission Squash program. Parents are asked to:

• Ensure they have fully read the U.S. Squash Code of Conduct and Parent Code of Conduct for Junior Squash
• Never query the referee's decision, whether you or your child believe it to be right, wrong, or unfair. All juniors are required to referee at tournaments, and this practice continues into adulthood - and even onto the professional tour. Refereeing as a junior player is viewed as a learning experience, and it is a very difficult job. Remember that there are very often disagreeing views concerning lets, strokes and no lets, even at the professional level. Players are expected to accept the referees decision graciously, whether they believe it to be right or wrong, and move on with the game. A referee's decision is rarely a major factor in whether a game is won or lost
• Do not engage with parents who wish to argue with you. Instead, inform Mission Squash staff or the tournament director with a description of what happened.
• Remember that anyone can enter a tournament, and so at tournaments you may encounter children and adults who have been poorly educated on the etiquette and rules of squash. This should never be an excuse to lower our own standards, and we as the Mission Squash program should always be looking to set the example.