Code of Conduct for Players

DIHA is fully committed to safeguarding and promoting the wellbeing of all its members. The club believes that it is important that members, coaches, administrators and parents associated with the club should, at all times, show respect and understanding for the safety and welfare of others. Therefore, members are encouraged to be open at all times and to share any concerns or complaints that they may have about any aspect of the club with Junior Club VP.

As a member of DIHA you are expected to abide by the following junior code of conduct:

• All members must play within the rules and respect officials and their decisions.

• All members must respect the rights, dignity and worth of all participants regardless of gender, ability, cultural background or religion.

• Members should keep to agreed timings for training and competitions or inform their coach or team manager if they are going to be late.

• Members must wear suitable protective equipment (including helmet) for training and match sessions, as agreed with the coach/team manager.

• Members must pay any fees for training or events promptly.

• Junior members are not allowed to smoke on club premises or whilst representing the club at competitions.

• Junior members are not allowed to consume alcohol or drugs of any kind on the club premises or whilst representing the club.

By agreeing to this document, you will;

…play ice hockey because I want to, not just because others or coaches want me to.

…play by the rules of ice hockey, and in the spirit of the game.

…control my temper – fighting and “mouthing off” can spoil the activity for everyone.

…respect my opponents. …do my best to be a team player. …remember that winning isn’t everything – that having fun, improving skills, making friends.

…and doing my best are also important.

…acknowledge all good plays/performances – those of my team and of my opponents.

…remember that coaches and officials are there to help me. I will accept their decisions and show them respect.

Any breaches of this agreement will result in the attached “Dealing with Breaches” mechanism being initiated.

Dealing with Breaches of the Club’s Code of Conduct

The implementation of the Code of Conduct includes a process to deal with any alleged breaches of the Code of Conduct. The Code committee’ is to hear any alleged breaches. It is up to the club to decide who should be on this committee at the Annual General Meeting (AGM) or nearest committee meeting after the terms of acceptance, and the committee to hear any said complaint will be named in the AGM (or nearest meeting) minutes of the year that said complaint is laid. This committee has the authority to determine how alleged breaches should be dealt with.

The process to hear alleged breaches are as follows;

• The complaint must be in writing, addressed to the club secretary and be received within 48 hours following the alleged incident.

• The committee will consider the alleged breach and all of the information available.

• The committee will set a date, time and venue for a hearing if it deems a hearing is necessary.

• Establish appropriate penalties for breaches, eg: stand down from playing for a certain length of time, suspension from the club, monetary fine or ultimately banned from being involved with the club at any level.

• All necessary parties will be advised of the decision verbally and in writing within 28 days of a decision being made or hearing being held.

• The manner of bring an appeal must adhere to the following;

• An appellant brings an appeal by sending a notice of appeal to DIHA Board
• o The notice must be received by the DIHA within 28 days after the date on which the Code Committee gives a copy of the decision to the appellant.

It is the responsibility of the club committee to set standards and provide guidelines for club members’ behaviour on and off the rink. Once a Code of Conduct has been formulated, the committee should communicate this to all its members. It is the responsibility of the committee to have a reasonable expectation of gaining agreement. Without agreement it is reasonable to expect that the suggested signatory not be invited to aspects (some or all) of DIHA.