Fair Play Charter

The Association, its clubs, officials, competitors and spectators, are perceived by the public as representatives of the sport, and must always attempt to set a good example of sportsmanship and fair play, especially to the younger generation, by the way they carry out their responsibilities both on and off the court.

The Association

  • Will ensure that its rules are fair, clearly understood by member clubs, club officials, coaches, players and match officials, and properly enforced.
  • Will make every effort to ensure that these rules are applied consistently and with absolute impartiality.
  • Will impress upon players and officials the need to maintain the highest standards of sportsmanship in the organisation and playing of basketball.

Basketball Players

  • Must abide by the rules and the spirit of the game.
  • Must accept the decisions of the referees without question or complaint.
  • Must never consider cheating, in particular, must not attempt to improve their individual performance by the use of drugs.
  • Must exercise self-control at all times.
  • Must learn to accept success, failure, victory and defeat, with good grace and magnanimity, and without excessive emotional displays.
  • Must treat their opponents and team-mates with due respect, both on and off the court.

Member Clubs

  • Must insist that players understand and abide by the principles of good sportsmanship.
  • Must never countenance the use of drugs by players.
  • Must never employ methods or practices that could involve risks, however, slight, to the long term health or physical development of their players.
  • Must not attempt to manipulate the rules in order to take advantage of their players or their opponents.

Club Officials

  • Must respect the regulations and authority of the Association and not attempt to avoid or circumvent these regulations.
  • Must recognise the special role that they have to play in the establishment of standards by setting a good example of sportsmanship at all times.
  • Must respect the rights of other clubs and not deliberately act in a manner intended to be to the detriment of any other club.
  • Must respect the rights of players, coaches and officials and not exploit nor deliberately act in a manner intended to be to the detriment of them.
  • Must not endeavour to influence the result of a match by any action not strictly within the rules and regulations, or within the fundamental precepts of fair play.

Failure to adhere to this Charter may be considered as evidence of conduct which brings the game into disrepute.

Each season a Fair Play Award will be made to the team which best embodies the spirit of this Charter. The recipient of this award will be determined by a ballot of active referees in the Association’s competitions. A Club referee may not vote for their own Club in such ballot.