3.07 – Player and Parent Responsibilities
EFFECTIVE: 1 March 2024
3.07.01 Purpose:
The purpose of the Sarnia Hockey Association (SHA) Player and Parent Responsibilities and Expectations Policy is to establish clear guidelines and expectations for all players registered with the association.
3.07.02 Scope:
This policy applies to all players, coaches, parents, and members participating with any SHA Team. Participants fall under the jurisdiction of SHA while participating in sanctioned activities. This policy is in alignment with Hockey Canada’s Maltreatment Policy and Hockey Alliance of Ontario (ALLIANCE) Codes of Conduct
3.07.03 Definitions:
a) Discrimination: Refers to any of the grounds protected under the Ontario Human Rights Code including Age, Ancestry, Colour, Race, Citizenship, Ethnic origin, Place of origin, Creed, Disability, Family status, Marital status (including single status), Gender identity, and gender expression
b) Respect in Sport (RIS): Is a nation-wide training tool utilized by Hockey Canada for parents and coaches. Its aim is creating a healthier and safer sports environment through the prevention of bullying, abuse, harassment, and discrimination. There are two versions available, RIS-Parent and RIS-Activity Leader. Parents that are also Team Officials may be required to hold both qualifications.
c) Parent: refers to an individual who has legal responsibility for the care, upbringing, and well-being of a child. This includes guardians who have been granted legal authority and responsibility for any individual(s) under the age of 18
d) Conflict: A disagreement or dispute between individuals or groups within SHA, which may include players, parents, coaches, officials, volunteers, or any other member of the organization.
e) Complaint: An expression of dissatisfaction or concern about a specific incident or situation within SHA.
f) Grievance: A formal complaint that alleges a violation of SHA policies, procedures, or the rights of a member, which requires a documented resolution process or Board of Reference Process under SHA Policy 1.05
g) Independent Third Party (ITP): In 2022, Hockey Canada introduced a new process to address maltreatment. The ITP’s role is to administer maltreatment complaints. The ITP does not investigate or adjudicate complaints, but it ensures that complaints are processed in a confidential, neutral, and procedurally fair manner. The ITP hires external mediators, investigators, and adjudicators for the complaints within its jurisdiction.
3.07.04 Player Responsibilities and Expectations:
a) Player Accountability: Players shall follow all policies and procedures set by Hockey Canada (HC) Ontario Hockey Federation (OHF) and its Member Partners. Players are responsible to understand the game rules, facility rules and applicable regulations. SHA recognizes that this understanding is progressively developed over time with guidance from other players, coaches, and parents.
b) Player Safety: Players are responsible for the safety of themselves, teammates, opponents, officials, and coaches. Dressing room horseplay, reckless game play, or any other activities that intentionally put others at unnecessary risk are not permitted. SHA recognizes the risks involved with the game of hockey and understands that there are unintentional injuries that can result during practice or games.
c) Maltreatment: Players are responsible to understand the Maltreatment Policy of HC and Rule 11 in the Hockey Canada Rule Book. The rules and policy have wide jurisdiction including game spaces, dressing rooms, other team activities and social media platforms. Players are expected to treat everyone with respect and promote the principles of inclusion. Examples of maltreatment include derogatory terms, discriminatory comments, racial slurs, or inappropriate language.
d) Respect for Coaches and Game Officials: Players are expected to always communicate with coaches and officials in a respective manner. Players shall respect the decisions of coaches and officials. Disagreement is not disrespect. Communicating that disagreement by raising one’s voice, using argumentative tones, non-verbal gestures, or making comments while backs are turned is disrespectful behavior.
e) Respect for Opponents: Players are expected to treat all opponents with respect on and off the ice. Arguing, fighting, splashing, spitting, and taunting are all examples of disrespectful and unsportsmanlike behavior. Any pre- or post-game incidents will be reviewed by SHA.
f) Foster Team Loyalty: Players registered with SHA will not play or practice with any other team in any other association and adhere to the OHF Non-Sanctioned Game Policy
i. Exemptions for players:
a) Participating as an affiliate with a AAA Zone Team
b) Participating with a school intermural team
c) Participating in the Little Native Hockey League Tournament (LNHL)
d) Participating as a rostered player in Select Hockey or with the Ontario Women’s Hockey Association (OWHA), in accordance with ALLIANCE RULE & REGULATION 12.4
g) Attendance: Players should attend as many scheduled games and practices as reasonably possible. This also includes timely notification to team officials when they are unable to attend games or practices. Attendance commitment expectations can be found in the Representative and Recreational Guidelines
3.07.05 Parent Responsibilities and Expectations:
a) Player Accountability: Parents are expected to provide support, guidance, and assistance to their player in understanding player’s responsibilities and expectations.
b) Maltreatment: Parents are responsible to review the Maltreatment Policy of HC and Respect and Expectation Policy of the OHF. The rules and policies have wide jurisdiction including game spaces, dressing rooms, other team activities and social media platforms. Parents are expected to treat everyone with respect, encourage others to respect one another, and promote the principles of inclusion. Examples of maltreatment include derogatory terms, discriminatory comments, racial slurs, posting of intimidating comments, making false or unfounded accusations or inappropriate language.
i) OHF Respect and Expectation Policy
ii) Hockey Canada Maltreatment Policy
c) Respect for Coaches, Opponents, and Game Officials: Parents are expected to treat everyone with respect. Parents are required to complete Respect in Sport (Parent) in accordance with ALLIANCE policy. Players can be suspended from participation if parent completion cannot be validated by the SHA Registrar
d) Respect for League Officials and Association Directors: Parents are expected to treat everyone with respect. They are also asked to trust that decisions are made in good faith with the interest of all participants in mind. Should a parent disagree with a Convener, Director, or other Officer of SHA they can seek resolution through the processes detailed in 3.07.06
e) Codes of Conduct: Parents are responsible to acknowledge and understand the OHF and ALLIANCE Codes of Conduct.
i) OHF Universal Code of Conduct
ii) ALLIANCE Code of Conduct
f) Interference: Parents are not permitted to interfere with the operations of any SHA team or interfere during game play with coaches, players, or officials.
3.07.06 – Participant Conflict, Complaints and Grievances:
a) SHA is committed to the following principles when addressing any conflicts, complaints, and grievances from parents, guardians, or players:
i) Fairness: All parties involved in a conflict, complaint, or grievance will be treated fairly and without bias.
ii) Confidentiality: Information related to conflicts, complaints, and grievances will be kept confidential to the extent possible, ensuring that only those who need to know are informed.
iii) Timeliness: SHA will make every effort to resolve conflicts, complaints, and grievances in a timely manner.
iv) Communication: Open and clear communication is essential throughout the resolution process.
v) Respect: All parties involved in a conflict, complaint, or grievance are expected to treat each other with respect and professionalism.
vi) Non-Retaliation: SHA prohibits retaliation against individuals who bring forward complaints or grievances in good faith.
b) Conflict Resolution Process:
i) Informal Resolution: Members involved in a conflict are encouraged to address the issue informally by discussing it with each other. If the issue is not resolved at this stage, individuals may seek guidance from their coach or team manager.
ii) Formal Complaint: If an informal resolution is not possible or fails to address the issue satisfactorily, the individual with the complaint should:
a) Submit a formal complaint in writing to the responsible Director and Vice Chair
b) The complaint should include a detailed description of the issue, individuals involved, and any relevant evidence.
c) The complaint shall be addressed by the respective Director and/or Vice Chair or escalated to the SHA Senior Executives to be addressed.
d) The complaint and resolution shall be filed with the First Vice Chair and held for the remainder of the season.
iii) Grievance Process: If the complaint cannot be resolved at the formal complaint stage, or if the complaint alleges a violation of SHA policies, the complainant may submit a formal grievance.
a) A grievance must be submitted in writing to the SHA Chairperson
b) The grievance process can involve a formal investigation and may include interviews with relevant parties, review of evidence, and consultation with relevant authorities.
c) Any grievance will be addressed by SHA First Vice Chair with recommendations, actions, and follow ups in writing to the SHA Chairperson. The Chair will review the findings and make a final decision to accept the recommended resolution or proceed with a Board of Reference
e) The grievance and resolution shall be filed with First Vice Chair and held for minimum 3 seasons.
iv) Resolution: Once a resolution is reached, SHA and its directors will take appropriate actions to address the concerns raised, which may include corrective measures, disciplinary actions, or other remedies to prevent similar issues in the future.
c) Hockey Canada Safe Sport: Hockey Canada stands for safe sport that is free of abuse and maltreatment of any kind. We all play a role in creating a healthy culture that fosters safe sport practice and offers athletes, coaches, and all members of the sport community strong resources in education and reporting. The presence of maltreatment in sport requires a concerted and systemic effort by a variety of different organizations and governments to come together and identify solutions and clearly define roles and responsibilities.
i) LINK TO ITP and HOCKEY CANADA INDEPENDENT COMPLAINT PAGE and PROCESS