Fun First Policy

Purpose

The Fun First Policy outlines Urban Rec’s commitment to fostering an enjoyable, social, and inclusive sporting environment. This policy serves as a guide for all participants and works in conjunction with the Discipline Policy. Its purpose is to provide direction for situations where formal disciplinary action is not required, but the expected standards of Urban Rec—centered around fun, fairness, and respect—are not being met.

Guiding Principles – Living the Fun First Values

Urban Rec exists to provide a safe, enjoyable, and socially focused sporting experience. All participants are expected to embody the following Fun First values:

  • Fun is the priority – competition should never come at the expense of enjoyment for others.
  • One Club – everyone plays for Urban Rec. Your opponents are also your teammates in our wider community. Compete hard, but remember you are part of the same club.
  • Respect – treat teammates, opponents, and League Hosts with courtesy and fairness, regardless of the score.
  • Positivity – contribute to an encouraging and enjoyable atmosphere on and off the playing surface.
  • Inclusivity – welcome players of all skill levels and adjust style of play to ensure everyone can participate fairly.
  • Honesty – take responsibility for actions, call personal fouls, and play by the rules without relying on oversight.
  • Sportsmanship – compete in a way that values camaraderie and enjoyment over winning at all costs.
  • Engagement – embrace the full Urban Rec experience, including Fun Points, post-game rituals, and respectful communication.

These values form the foundation of our community and apply equally to players, captains, and League Hosts.

Fun Point System

Urban Rec uses a Fun Point system to monitor team culture and sportsmanship:

  • 5/5 Fun Points: Exemplary behaviour, positive interactions, and strong adherence to Urban Rec values.
  • 3/5 Fun Points: Acceptable behaviour but with areas for improvement.
  • 1/5 Fun Points: Behaviour significantly below expectations, such as poor sportsmanship or overly competitive play.

Fun Points are reported by opposing teams after each game. Teams that consistently receive low Fun Point ratings will be contacted by Urban Rec to address the issue. Continued failure to meet expectations may result in removal from the league.

Managing Situations Where Fun First Values Aren’t Being Met

If a team is compliant with the rules but demonstrates behaviour inconsistent with Urban Rec’s Fun First values—such as excessive competitiveness, poor sportsmanship, or negative interactions—the following steps will be taken:

1. Check-In:
 A League Host will initiate a friendly, constructive conversation during or after the game to remind the team of the Fun First philosophy.

2. Fun First Coaching:
 Urban Rec staff will follow up with the players or team captain to provide clear, specific feedback regarding behaviours perceived negatively by other teams or staff (e.g., failure to shake hands, unwillingness to accept feedback, lack of engagement in Fun Points, or displaying a dismissive attitude).

3. Review of Fun Points:
 If a pattern of low Fun Points persists, Urban Rec management will contact the team captain to discuss corrective actions.

4. Final Measure:
 If the team fails to demonstrate improvement, Urban Rec reserves the right to remove the team from the competition for failure to uphold the Fun First values and the principle of mutual respect. In this case, Urban Rec will provide a pro-rata refund of the team’s registration fees.

Skill Level Definitions and Expectations

Recreational
Intended Participants: New players or individuals returning to the sport after an extended absence.
Expected Standard of Play: Basic understanding of skills with limited practical experience.
Style of Play:
Calm, balanced gameplay with an emphasis on enjoyment and learning.
Players are encouraged to adjust their play to maintain fairness and inclusivity.
Keep in mind the One Club value – your opponents are also part of Urban Rec, so play to their level for mutual enjoyment.
Rule Knowledge: Minimal; League Hosts will provide guidance to ensure compliance with Urban Rec rules and standards.
 

Intermediate
Intended Participants: Players with prior experience, typically following multiple recreational seasons.
Expected Standard of Play: Strong understanding of skills and game structure.
Style of Play:
Increased pace and competitiveness, while prioritising the social and inclusive nature of Urban Rec leagues.
Adhere to One Club values by respecting opponents as fellow members of Urban Rec.
Strict adherence to Urban Rec rules, which may differ from traditional club or association rules.
Rule Knowledge: Comprehensive; players should understand and uphold Urban Rec rules and ethos.

Playing to the Rules – Not the Whistle

Urban Rec operates on a principle of self-officiation. While League Hosts will do their best to oversee gameplay and address rule violations, the responsibility for fair play lies with all participants. If a player knows they have committed an infraction, they are expected to acknowledge it honestly.
All participants are expected to:

  • Call personal fouls in the spirit of honesty and fairness.
  • Demonstrate good sportsmanship and treat opponents with respect and kindness at all times.
  • Play with integrity by respecting both the written rules and the spirit of the game.
  • Accept all outcomes – whether winning or losing—with grace and dignity.
  • Remember One Club – your opponent is also your teammate in the bigger Urban Rec community.
What Not to Do at Urban Rec Leagues

Urban Rec is built on the Fun First values, and while most of our community embraces these naturally, it helps to be clear about behaviours that do not belong in our leagues.
Examples of “What Not To Do”:

  • Overly aggressive play – playing in a way that intimidates or risks injury to others.
  • Arguing with League Hosts or opponents – showing disrespect instead of resolving situations calmly.
  • Playing for the win at all costs – putting competitiveness above enjoyment for both teams.
  • Ignoring Fun Points – refusing to engage with post-game scoring or dismissing its importance.
  • Poor sportsmanship – not shaking hands, mocking opponents, or showing negative body language.
  • Blaming others – criticising teammates or opponents instead of focusing on fun.
  • Rule-bending – deliberately taking advantage of grey areas instead of playing in the spirit of fairness.
  • Exclusionary behaviour – refusing to pass to less experienced players, or making someone feel unwelcome.

These behaviours go against the Fun First values and the One Club spirit of Urban Rec. If they are noticed, League Hosts or management will step in to address them. Repeated patterns may result in a team being removed from the league, with a full refund provided.

Conclusion

Urban Rec exists for those who prioritise fun, inclusivity, and camaraderie over winning at all costs. We recognise that our leagues are not for everyone—and that’s okay. Urban Rec was built to welcome players who want to compete in the true recreational spirit, where social connection, enjoyment, and respect come first.
For players who thrive on high-intensity competition, there are many other clubs and associations that encourage and celebrate that style of play. Urban Rec is different by design—we exist to provide a community where fun comes first, always.

Participants who consistently disregard these principles may be removed from the league to preserve the integrity and culture of the Urban Rec community. If a registration is cancelled by Urban Rec for reasons relating to the Fun First Policy, a full refund will be provided.