Code of Conduct

SIMSBURY YOUTH HOCKEY ASSOCIATION (SYHA) CODE OF CONDUCT

Policy Paper Sections 7.1 through 7.6 (July 2011)

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CODE OF CONDUCT – COACHES, PLAYERS, AND PARENTS

General Code of Conduct. All coaches, players, and parents will display good sportsmanship in their conduct at all SYHA activities and will at all times conduct themselves appropriately. Players, parents and coaches must adhere to the SYHA Code of Conduct and abide by all provisions at all times or be subject to disciplinary action by the Board. In particular, but not exclusively, the following standards of conduct shall be observed:

• Foul, disrespectful, or abusive language or gestures by any SYHA player, coach, parent, or associated spectator will not be tolerated
• Harassment of officials, players, coaches, or spectators by any SYHA player, coach, parent, or associated spectator will not be tolerated
• Currently-promulgated USA Hockey rules, including without limitation policies on sexual and physical abuse, shall govern the conduct of all SYHA coaches, players, parents, and associated volunteers unless the rules and regulations of SYHA impose a higher standard of conduct. Copies of USA Hockey rules and regulations are available upon request by the President.
• Any behavior, whether specifically associated with SYHA activities or distinct from them, deemed inappropriate by the Board, in its sole discretion.

Players' Conduct. In addition to the general standards of conduct set forth above, players shall observe any reasonable, non-discriminatory, and fairly-applied team rule clearly communicated to players and parents by a coach. In particular, but not exclusively, players may be disciplined for:

• Continued unexcused absences from practices
• Insubordination
• Hazing or other abusive treatment of other players
• Stealing property or equipment
• Destruction or damage to another person's property
• Destruction or damage to facilities used by SYHA and it’s opponents
• Use of alcohol or other controlled substances, including illegal drugs of any kind
• Lack of adherence to player code of conduct in locker rooms - Locker Room Policy

Enforcement. Head Coaches and Division Directors will be responsible for enforcing SYHA standards of conduct expected of players, parents, and associated spectators and will attempt to resolve minor violations involving the general standards of conduct mentioned above at the team level. All violations of standards of conduct (coaches, players, parents), will be reported in writing by the Head Coach to the Division Director, who will then share the report with the Director of Coaching, the Vice President of On-Ice Operations, the Vice President of Policy, and the President. The Division Director, the Director of Coaching, the Vice President of On-Ice Operations, the Vice President of Policy, and the President will have the power, after notice and hearing, to suspend the offending party from practices or games for any reasonable term, or to end further participation in the SYHA program depending, at their sole discretion, upon the severity of the offense. Their decision in all such disciplinary matters is final.

The Vice President of On-Ice Operations, the Division Director, and the Director of Coaching will be responsible for enforcing standards of conduct expected of coaches, and will attempt to resolve minor violations of the standards of conduct. If the matter is unresolved, the Division Director will notify the Vice President of Policy and the President in writing and schedule a meeting with the Head Coach, the Division Director, the Director of Coaching, the Vice President of On-Ice Operations, the Vice President of Policy, and the President. The Division Director, the Director of Coaching, the Vice President of On-Ice Operations, the Vice President of Policy, and the President will have the power, after notice and hearing, to suspend the offending party from practices or games for any reasonable term, or to end further participation in the SYHA program depending, at their sole discretion, upon the severity of the offense. Their decision in all such disciplinary matters is final.

Parent Participation. SYHA is an all-volunteer organization. Parents are instrumental in all aspects of SYHA’s operations: as Board Members, as coaches, as team managers, as game-timers and scorers, and in many other ways. Simply put, SYHA could not function without the on-going commitment of parent volunteers. During the year SYHA organizes and runs various events – often fund-raising efforts - to benefit all participants in the organization. All parents are asked to donate their time and energies and to help with these events as much as possible.

Parents are invited to attend SYHA Board meetings; this invitation will be specifically reiterated annually in the President's welcoming letter. Parents may question policies or procedures of SYHA at any time and are invited to address any comments or questions to the appropriate Division Director and/or Head Coach who shall attempt to address any concern in a manner consistent with the philosophy of SYHA.

The Division Director or Head Coach will promptly refer all concerns not addressed to the satisfaction of the parent(s) affected to the Vice President of Policy. If the matter remains unresolved to the satisfaction of the parent(s) affected, the Vice President of Policy will notify the President. The President will consult with all affected and interested parties and render a decision at his/her sole discretion. The decisions of the President in all such matters are final.

President's Letter. The President will prepare an annual letter to be sent to parents at the beginning of the season. This letter will communicate the broad goals and philosophy of SYHA, the standards of conduct required of all participants, and refer parents to this Policy Paper for further information about SYHA’s program, policies, and procedures.