DISCIPLINARY PROCEDURES

• Code of conduct
• Procedures
• Punishments
• EIHA Disciplinary Points & Fines

CODE OF CONDUCT

The aim of this code is to ensure that the club is able to run smoothly and that all energies are concentrated on developing and supporting junior ice hockey. The committee and club officials spend many hours of their time and incur quite a few costs to enable you, the player, to play hockey in a safe and constructive environment. Our reward is your enjoyment and the success of the team.

Please read the following carefully and, only once you have read each item and understood it, sign where indicated at the bottom. If you have any queries please ask your team manager to explain.

• All players registered with the club must attend regular training. It is the responsibility of every player to notify the team manager or coach at least 24 hours before any intended absence. In exceptional circumstances a later notification will be acceptable if it was made at the earliest possible time. The same rule applies to games if a player is asked to play.
• All players must report to team officials at the rink one hour before the start of matches, both home and away. Players are responsible for providing their own refreshments at games. Sharing of drinks during games is not acceptable (for health reasons).  Playing members must wear full protective equipment when practicing or playing in club matches.
• Whilst off ice any player who offends under this code of conduct or club disciplinary rules when under the jurisdiction of the club will be liable to disciplinary action by the club. Serious or repeated offences could result in suspension or dismissal from the club. Offences include, but are not limited to, disruptive behaviour, fighting, bullying, racial and sexual abuse, bad language, disrespectful behaviour, unsafe actions and acts that could bring the club into disrepute including damaging equipment and facilities and the use of alcohol or illegal drugs of any kind.
• On ice offences will be dealt with by on ice officials and the EIHA in the first instance. Whilst offences on-ice during a game will normally be dealt with by the on ice officials appointed by the EIHA, in exceptional circumstances the club may also take action (e.g. where the on-ice officials did not see an incident or where the repeated offences of a member are bringing the club into disrepute) in addition to any action taken by the EIHA. The responsible member(s) will be liable to pay any fine imposed upon the club as a result of on ice offences. Any penalty points incurred by a player leading to an EIHA fine will also be paid pro rata by the responsible member(s) at the prevailing rate. No player is to go on the ice for training or games without the permission of the coach or when the coach is not present.
• Players who feel that they have been unfairly disciplined by the club will be entitled to a hearing by the committee in the presence of parents/guardians.
• All monies such as subscriptions, additional ice time or game fees, EIHA fines, and equipment costs must be paid when required. Any debts overdue by more than one month (sometimes less at the club treasurer's discretion) may automatically lead to suspension from training and games.
• The club will not be responsible for loss or damage to individual player’s equipment or possessions. Parents are advised to take out their own insurance if so required.
• Stealing of equipment, valuables etc. will be treated as a very serious offence and could mean instant dismissal. Stealing includes borrowing or using items not belonging to you without obtaining prior permission from the owner.
• Players are required to adhere to any club or team dress code, on and off ice, when representing the club.
• Players (and parents) must always treat team members, other club members and all officials with respect.
• Players must always remember that they are part of a team (whether playing or not) and must always aim to help improve the team as well as themselves. Actions detrimental to the team, which include actions detrimental to team mates and their development, may make you liable to disciplinary action.
• All players must realise that misbehaviour at training or games may lead to disciplinary action which could include being sent off the ice, being sent to the changing room or being benched for a game or games. There will be no refund of training fees if training sessions or games are missed because of disciplinary punishment.

The club has a Child Protection Officer (CPO) who players can always approach, in confidence, if they have any problems. These can include problems with team mates, coaches, club officials, other club members (and their parents) or anything else causing concern. Players are urged to use this facility at an early stage to enable the CPO to advise them or take any necessary action. This does not preclude players from raising issues with the team manager, team coach or any other club official if they wish.

All members will be supplied with a copy of this Code of Conduct. A member’s signature will act as confirmation that they have read and understand them and agree to comply with them. A copy can be downloaded here.

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DISCIPLINARY PROCEDURES

The disciplinary procedures following breaches of the club code of conduct are as follows:-

Club officials

If a formal complaint concerns the conduct of club officials (coaches, managers or officers) it should be made directly to the chairman of the disciplinary committee (or another committee member if the chairman is not available or appropriate). If not settled to the satisfaction of the people concerned it shall be referred to the disciplinary committee and heard within 7 days of the request for referral. It is recommended that any such issues should normally be discussed with the individual's concerned before a formal complaint is made.

Junior Players (under 19s and younger)

The initial disciplinary action shall be decided by the relevant team coach and/or manager unless they decide the matter is sufficiently serious to be referred straight to the club disciplinary committee.

To ensure equality of treatment of players the team manager shall report any offence and the action taken to the disciplinary committee chairman if sanctions include a suspension from training or games. The disciplinary committee chairman shall have the right to refer the matter to the disciplinary committee if he thinks this appropriate.

If a player (or parent/guardian) should have a grievance about any action taken against them or about their treatment by other players or by the manager or coach it should normally be discussed with their team manager and/or coach in the first instance.

Appeals

If the matter is not settled by discussion between the relevant members of the section concerned then the member can request a hearing by the club disciplinary committee.

In the case of matters where initial disciplinary action was taken by the disciplinary committee an appeal can be made and will be heard by a further committee as detailed below.

Club Disciplinary Committee

The club permanent disciplinary committee shall consist of four members of the club committee selected by the club committee to serve for a year. One of these four shall normally be the club's Child Welfare Officer, who will be a non-voting member, and another will normally be the club's head coach.

If the club member comes from a section that a member of the disciplinary committee is directly connected with (as a manager or a parent/guardian) then that member will stand down for the hearing. Similarly if the grievance relates to a member of the disciplinary committee or one who has any direct involvement with the grievance then that member shall stand down. If a member has to stand down either through such connection or through unavailability then a temporary member will be co-opted onto the committee for the hearing to ensure the committee has a minimum of three voting members.

If the initial discipline is dealt with by the disciplinary committee then any appeal shall be heard by three different members of the club committee. Normally one of these will be the club chairman. The Child Welfare Officer shall again attend unless the appellant requests otherwise.

Time limits

Any matter relating to players referred to the disciplinary committee will be heard within 14 days of the referral unless all parties agree to an extension of the time limit.

Representation

In all cases where the player involved is a minor then one of the player's parents/guardian should attend the hearing.

Child Welfare Officer

The Child Welfare Officer will be a non-voting member of the disciplinary committee but this should not prejudice the Officer in the carrying out of their duties. Junior players shall always retain the right to raise matters with that officer outside of the disciplinary committee structure if they so wish.

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A Rough guide to penalties for breaching the Code of Conduct

1. Failure to notify absences. Normally a warning for a first offence or if good reason for the lateness is given. Persistent offenders may be banned from a training session they do arrive for (if the offence relates to training sessions) or banned from playing in a game they do arrive for (if the offence relates to games).

2. As in section 1.

3. Offences under this section obviously vary considerably in seriousness. Minor breaches may lead to just a warning, but serious offences of, for example, fighting, bullying or racial or sexual abuse will lead to lengthy suspensions or dismissal from the club. It is certain that anybody committing a serious offence for a second time (if they were lucky enough to be given the benefit of the doubt the first time) will be dismissed from the club.

4. Disruptive behaviour will normally lead to a warning, continuing will lead to you being sent to get changed and taking no further part in the session or game. Persistent offenders can expect to serve increasingly long bans from games and/or training. Serious offences will be dealt with as in 3.. Going on the ice, or staying on the ice, without permission will initially lead to a warning but can also lead to suspension from training. This is for your own safety, the safety of those around you, and to comply with insurance requirements.

Offences on ice during a game which fall foul of the exceptional circumstances rule may lead to a warning, will normally lead to suspension, but may lead to dismissal from the club in particularly serious cases.

5. Anyone guilty of deliberate theft is likely to be dismissed from the club.

Vandalism or wanton damage to property will be dealt with according to the level of damage and intent and could be punished by anything from a warning (for a very minor offence) to dismissal from the club. A second serious offence under this part of the rule is certain to lead to dismissal from the club.

6. Warnings will normally be given but if you are a persistent embarrassment at games you may find that you are not invited to take part in them.

Please note that this is just a rough guide for members and does not prevent the club from imposing any reasonable punishment/sanctions considered suitable on players who breach the code of conduct.

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EIHA Disciplinary points and fines

Penalty Points (2002-2003)

For every 5 disciplinary points a player gets he is suspended for one match (e.g. as he hits 5, 10, 15 points etc.). It is up to the team to keep a tally and withdraw him from a match if a suspension applies even if they have not been notified of the suspension by the EIHA.

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