Conduct

MEDICINE HAT MINOR HOCKEY

ASSOCIATION


Teaching  

Respect    

Unity         

Safety      

Tolerance 

PROGRAM 

A Game and Conduct Management Initiative

Medicine Hat Minor Hockey “TRUST” Program

Over the past several years it has become increasingly apparent that participating in the Game, whether as a player, coach, official or spectator, has become less and less enjoyable. People are leaving the Game for the wrong reasons and with bad memories. Conduct of spectators, coaches, officials and players amongst themselves is increasingly more unacceptable, both on and off the ice.

The Medicine Hat Minor Hockey Association views the “TRUST” program as support and confirmation to the many excellent volunteers, coaches, officials and parents who are in the majority and who have always practiced and subscribed to the fundamental principles of fun, respect and positive development of the Game. We see this program as a vehicle to assist them to further these values and make the Game even better and more enjoyable. One could view the “TRUST” program as a celebration of the positive elements of the Game that will overwhelm those negative elements that have unfortunately tainted the reputation of the Game today. Those few who may question the program are the very ones that many of the elements of the program are aimed at and are indicative of a problem and not a solution. It is not a time to be defensive, but rather offensive and proactive in advocating a program that is totally positive. We encourage the majority to confidently come forward with energy and support the “TRUST” program to make our Game even better.

OBJECTIVES

To provide a program which plays a significant role in the development of a young person’s values, morals, social maturity, physical fitness and mental fitness. To promote acceptable conduct which provides:

•Respect for persons

•Protection from harm

•Development of ethical conduct towards others

•Caring attitudes

•Freedom to enjoy, to flourish

•Respect for the game

It is a must that every participant abides by these principles. A participant is defined as (but not limited to) a player, coach, official, or spectator.

This program is not intended to be a new process for complaints about officiating or general hockey rules. The objective is to promote and insure acceptable behavior.

DEFINITION OF “UNACCEPTABLE BEHAVIOR”

An individual is displaying unacceptable behavior if:

They are verbally or physically harassing and/or abusing a game participant. A game participant is described as a player, coach, spectator, or official.

They are causing damage to or destroying any property, equipment or facility.

When there is a situation of “unacceptable behavior”, the responsibilities of The Medicine Hat Minor Hockey Association, coaches, spectators and on-ice officials are set out herein. The focus is on achieving the program objectives. Confrontation should be avoided and reporting is encouraged, as it is an important step in attaining the objective.

COMPLAINT HANDLING PROCEDURE

Implementation Trigger

The reporting of unacceptable behavior by a director, spectator, coach, player or official is the triggering event of the complaint handling procedure. This reporting process will govern the person(s) responsible for investigating the complaint. The methods of enforcement will vary dependent on the severity of the event.

Reporting Process

If an incident occurs which meets the definition of unacceptable behavior and in the opinion of a player, spectator, coach, official or administrator, is serious enough to warrant a formal complaint, then an Incident Report Form (Appendix A) must be completed.

The Incident Report Form should be submitted to the Game & Conduct Committee for the review and actions.

MHMHA Incident Report Form

Responsible Reporters

1.On/Off Ice Officials

If, in the opinion of an official (on-ice or off-ice), an individual is verbally or physically harassing or abusing a game participant (coach, player or official), the official will at a stoppage of play, identify the offending individual and through discussion with one or both coaches, request that the offending individuals cease this unacceptable behavior. If the behavior continues, the offending individual will receive a card requesting that person to immediately leave the facility until one half hour after the game has concluded. Once the offending person has left the facility, play will resume. The official will document the offense or action on a Game Incident Report Form or the back of the Game Sheet. A copy of the write up on the Game Sheet will be forwarded to the Game & Conduct Committee, triggering the complaint handling process.

2.Directors, Spectators, Players

If, in the opinion of a Director, spectator or player an individual is verbally or physically harassing or abusing a game participant (coach, player, official, or spectator), an Incident Report Form is to be completed and forwarded to the Game & Conduct Committee. This will trigger the complaint handling procedure.

Enforcement

After investigation, the Medicine Hat Minor Hockey Association President shall have the power to suspend summarily any player, coach, trainer, manager, official or spectator of any team under the auspices of the Medicine Hat Minor Hockey Association for any conduct on or off the ice which in the sole discretion of the President is deemed to be unbecoming or detrimental to the game.

The Medicine Hat Minor Hockey Association President shall have the power to prevent summarily any spectator from viewing any game or other activity or entering a facility to view such game or activity under the auspices of the Association for any conduct which in the sole discretion of the President is deemed to be unbecoming or detrimental to the game.

Further, the President shall have the power to suspend summarily the player, coach, team official or the team to which the spectator is attached.

This authority may be delegated to such Medicine Hat Minor Hockey Associations directors and officials as the President may designate.

The power and delegation granted to the President allows for effective and quick action against conduct unbecoming or detrimental to the Game and its participants, as well as action against the team of the contravening spectator. The Medicine Hat Minor Hockey Association is prepared to enforce these provisions as required and are an integral part of the reporting and enforcement initiatives.

Appeal Process

Upon receiving a request for an appeal, the Medicine Hat Minor Hockey Association will establish a Special Committee comprised of three (3) members to hear any appeals related to the discipline or actions undertaken as a result of the outcome of an investigation. Appeals will be heard within seven (7) days. The appeal must contain a clear and concise summary of the grounds for the appeal. Notice of the appeal must be submitted to the President of The Medicine Hat Minor Hockey Association within five (5) days from the date of notification of discipline. If the appeal is denied, further appeals can be made to Hockey Alberta under the normal appeals process.

IMPLEMENTATION PROCESS

Incorporation into Bylaws

Bylaw S (I)

The President shall have the power to suspend summarily any player, coach, trainer, manager or official of any team under the auspices of a member of the Medicine Hat Minor Hockey Association for any conduct on or off the ice which in the sole discretion of the President is deemed to be unbecoming or detrimental to the game. Such suspension to be effective until dealt with by the Appeal Committee within a reasonable time.

Bylaw S (II)

The President shall have the power to prevent summarily any spectator from viewing any game or other activity or entering a facility to view such game or activity under the auspices of The Medicine Hat Minor Hockey Association for any conduct which in the sole discretion of the President is deemed to be unbecoming or detrimental to the game. Further, the President shall have the power to suspend summarily the player, coach, team official, official or the team to which the spectator is affiliated. Such action to be effective until dealt with by the Appeal Committee within a reasonable time.

Introducing the TRUST Program

At the start of the season, a meeting will be held with all team management, parents, players, and officials to present the program. At this presentation, the Medicine Hat Minor Hockey Association will:

•Detail the objectives

•Outline the expectation

•Lay out the consequences

•Explain the team’s responsibilities

•Explain the Medicine Hat Minor Hockey Associations responsibilities

•Explain the distribution and collection method that will be used

Packages with the TRUST Program outline and Fair Play Pledge forms will be distributed to the parents, players, coaches and officials for completion. Once complete they will be collected and returned to the Medicine Hat Minor Hockey Association.

Other Notifications

Notification of the TRUST Program will be given to the following:

City of Medicine Hat Recreation Department

Staff of all Medicine Hat ice facilities

Medicine Hat City Police

The Medicine Hat Minor Hockey Association will request full support from the above in the enforcement of some sanctions.

Pledge Forms and/or Code of Conducts

Medicine Hat Minor Hockey expects full cooperation in the signing of Pledge Forms and Code of Conduct forms. Regardless of whether either form is signed, all members (coaches, players, officials, parents, directors, spectators, managers, and trainers) are still subject to the consequences for unacceptable behavior as the TRUST Program is part of the Bylaws and Regulations of the Medicine Hat Minor Hockey Association and must be followed as a condition of membership.

Coach's Pledge

Player Pledge

Parent Pledge

Official's Pledge

DISCIPLINE GUIDELINES (appendix B)

(For parents, coaches, staff, spectators, officials)

SUSPENSION GUIDELINES

Medicine Hat Minor Hockey