Introduction and Purpose
This Code of Conduct is a mandatory policy for everyone who takes part in, works on or supports Scottish Esports activities. It applies to all players, staff, volunteers and parents/carers, and to the Team Managers, coaches and spectators involved in our competitions. Its purpose is to make sure everyone promotes a safe, respectful, fair, and inclusive environment.
Esports should be fun, welcoming, and safe for all. This code outlines the standards of behaviour expected from everyone involved in Scottish Esports activities, both online and in person. This includes our competitions and tournament platform, broadcasts, Discord and other online spaces, and events.
This policy is divided into three parts:
- Code of Conduct for Staff, Volunteers and Team Managers
- Code of Conduct for Players
- Code of Conduct for Parents, Carers and Spectators
Failure to adhere to this Code of Conduct may result in action, including suspension or removal from Scottish Esports activities.
Code of Conduct for Staff, Volunteers and Team Managers
This part applies to everyone who works, volunteers or represents Scottish Esports in any capacity, including staff, board members, volunteers, tournament admins and referees, casters and producers, coaches, and contractors. It also applies to the teachers, lecturers and other adults who manage or coach teams in our competitions, alongside their own school or college’s policies. You are in a position of trust and have a responsibility to uphold the highest standards of conduct.
You must:
- Prioritise Safety and Wellbeing: Always put the safety and wellbeing of players (especially children and adults at risk) first. Adhere to our Child Wellbeing and Protection Policy at all times.
- Be an Excellent Role Model: Set a positive example for others. Do not smoke (including vaping), drink alcohol, or use illegal drugs while actively responsible for players.
- Promote Fair Play and Respect:
- Champion the spirit of the game, encouraging fair play over winning at all costs.
- Treat all players, opponents, officials, and spectators with respect, dignity, and fairness, regardless of their age, gender, ability, race, religion, sexual orientation, or background.
- Respect the rules of all games and competitions, and respect the decisions of tournament officials.
- Create an Inclusive Environment:
- Actively work to prevent and challenge any form of bullying, harassment, discrimination, or hate speech.
- Never engage in or promote abusive, threatening, obscene, or defamatory behaviour, either in person or online (e.g., in chat, on-stream, or on social media).
- Maintain Professional Boundaries:
- Avoid any behaviour that could be misinterpreted, such as spending excessive time alone with a single child or showing favouritism.
- Only communicate with players under 18 via official channels and with parental consent, following the Digital Safety & Conduct Guidelines in our Child Wellbeing and Protection Policy.
- Never form intimate emotional or physical relationships with players under your care.
- Uphold Integrity:
- Never promote or engage in cheating, match-fixing, illegal betting, or any other unsportsmanlike conduct.
- Never use, supply or encourage the use of performance-enhancing drugs or other prohibited substances, and follow the rules on high-caffeine energy drinks in our Child Wellbeing and Protection Policy.
- Act on Concerns: Report any allegations or suspicions of poor practice, bullying, or child protection concerns immediately to the Scottish Esports Child Wellbeing and Protection Officer (CWPO), Mark McCready (mark@scotesports.org), or the Deputy CWPO, Dale Murray (dale@scotesports.org). School and college staff should also tell their own safeguarding lead.
You must not:
- Engage in any form of physical, emotional, or sexual abuse.
- Make sexually suggestive comments or engage in inappropriate touching.
- Allow bullying, swearing, or discriminatory language to go unchallenged.
- Place undue pressure on players to train or compete against their will.
Code of Conduct for Players
As a player in Scottish Esports competitions and activities, you are at the heart of everything we do. This part applies to all players, whatever their age. We want you to have fun, improve your skills, and make friends in a safe and fair environment.
We expect you to:
- Be a Good Sport: Play for the fun of it. Be a gracious winner and a respectful loser.
- Play Fair:
- Always play by the rules of the game and the competition.
- Never cheat, use hacks, exploit bugs, or engage in any form of match-fixing.
- Respect Everyone:
- Treat your teammates, opponents, Team Managers, coaches, and officials with respect.
- Do not use offensive, insulting, or abusive language. This includes “trash talk” that is personal, threatening, or discriminatory.
- Do not bully, harass, or threaten anyone, either in-game, in chat, or on social media. Bullying includes name-calling, making fun of someone, spreading rumours, or deliberately leaving someone out.
- Respect that people online are real people whose feelings can be hurt.
- Listen and Learn: Respect your Team Manager, coaches and our staff. Listen to their advice and follow their instructions during training and matches.
- Be a Good Teammate: Support and encourage your teammates. Celebrate their successes and don’t blame them for mistakes.
- Look After Yourself: Take regular breaks, stay hydrated, and tell someone if you feel unwell or injured. If you are under 18, let your parent/carer or a trusted adult know where you are going and when you will be back.
- Speak Up: If you are worried about anything or see someone else being bullied or treated unfairly, tell someone you trust. This could be your Team Manager, teacher or coach, a member of our staff, a parent or carer, or our Child Wellbeing and Protection Officer, Mark McCready (mark@scotesports.org), or the Deputy, Dale Murray (dale@scotesports.org). Anyone can report a concern, whatever their age. Speaking up is brave and helps keep everyone safe.
Code of Conduct for Parents, Carers and Spectators
Parents, carers and spectators play a vital role in supporting a positive and enjoyable esports environment for all. This part applies to anyone watching or supporting players, whether in person, online or on our broadcasts.
We expect you to:
- Be a Positive Role Model: Encourage players to play by the rules and respect their teammates, opponents, and officials.
- Focus on Enjoyment: Remember that players take part for enjoyment. Emphasise effort, improvement, and fun over winning or losing.
- Support the Team:
- Let the Team Managers, coaches and staff do their jobs. Do not shout instructions or criticise their decisions during training or matches.
- Communicate with the Team Manager or with Scottish Esports through the proper channels and raise any concerns you have in a respectful and private manner, not on the sidelines or in public forums.
- Applaud Good Play: Applaud effort and good play from all players and teams, not just the player or team you support.
- Respect Officials and Opponents:
- Always respect the decisions of match officials and tournament administrators.
- Never engage in, or tolerate, offensive, insulting, or abusive language or behaviour towards anyone.
- Promote Online Safety: If you are a parent or carer, take an active interest in your child’s online activities. Ensure they understand the rules and how to stay safe online, including not sharing personal information and how to block/report abusive users.
- Report Concerns: If you have any concerns about a player’s welfare or suspect any form of bullying, harassment, or poor practice, please report it immediately to the Scottish Esports Child Wellbeing and Protection Officer (CWPO), Mark McCready (mark@scotesports.org), or the Deputy CWPO, Dale Murray (dale@scotesports.org).
Breaches of the Code
Any person who breaches this Code of Conduct will be subject to a review by Scottish Esports. In competitions, breaches are handled under the sanctions and appeals process in the General Competition Rules (sections 15 and 16). Sanctions may include, but are not limited to:
- A verbal or written warning.
- A requirement to apologise.
- Temporary suspension from training, matches, or national activities.
- Permanent removal from national opportunities.
All serious concerns, especially those related to child wellbeing or criminal activity, will be reported to the appropriate authorities, including Police Scotland or Social Work, and to the player’s school or college where relevant.
Agreeing to this Code
Taking part in any Scottish Esports activity means agreeing to follow this Code. There is no separate form to sign.
Schools and colleges competitions: by entering a Team, the school or college agrees to the General Competition Rules, which include this Code, on behalf of its Team Managers, coaches and players. By entering each player, the Team Manager confirms that the school or college holds that player’s agreement to this Code and, where needed, parent/carer consent (General Competition Rules 1.5 and 4.8). Scottish Esports relies on this confirmation and does not collect or hold these records.
Staff, volunteers and others working for Scottish Esports: agree to this Code when they accept their role, as part of their recruitment and induction.
Parents, carers and spectators: agree to this Code by attending or watching our activities, whether in person, online or on our broadcasts.
