Player Behaviour Policy
Player Behaviour Policy
1. Purpose
The purpose of this policy is to create a safe, positive, respectful and enjoyable environment in which all junior ice hockey players can develop their hockey skills, confidence, character and teamwork. The academy expects every player to demonstrate good behaviour both on and off the ice and to represent themselves, their teammates, their families and the academy positively.
2. Scope
This policy applies to all academy players during:
Training sessions and development programmes
Matches, tournaments and competitions
Travel to and from academy activities
Changing rooms and academy facilities
Away fixtures, tournaments and accommodation
Academy events and activities
Online communications and social media where behaviour relates to the academy or its members
3. Player Standards
Every player is expected to:
Respect Others
Players must:
Treat teammates, coaches, officials, opponents, volunteers, parents and staff with respect.
Listen when others are speaking.
Accept that people have different abilities, backgrounds and opinions.
Encourage and support teammates.
Use appropriate and respectful language.
Bullying, harassment, discrimination, intimidation, threatening behaviour or deliberately humiliating another person will not be tolerated.
Demonstrate Good Sportsmanship
Players must:
Play fairly and within the rules of ice hockey.
Respect referees and other officials, even when they disagree with a decision.
Accept both winning and losing appropriately.
Shake hands and show appropriate respect towards opponents where required.
Avoid deliberately dangerous or reckless play.
Never deliberately attempt to injure another player.
Competitive and physical play is an important part of ice hockey. However, players are expected to maintain self-control and distinguish legitimate competitive play from unacceptable conduct.
Follow Coaches' Instructions
Players are expected to:
Listen to and follow reasonable instructions from coaches and academy staff.
Accept coaching and constructive criticism positively.
Ask questions respectfully when they do not understand an instruction.
Avoid arguing with coaches during training or matches.
Remain focused and ready to participate.
4. Commitment and Punctuality
Players should:
Arrive on time and ready to participate.
Bring the correct equipment to every session.
Attend training and matches consistently.
Inform the appropriate coach or academy contact as soon as possible if they cannot attend.
Prepare properly before training and games.
Take responsibility for their own equipment and belongings.
Repeated lateness or unexplained absence may be addressed with the player and parent/guardian.
5. On-Ice Behaviour
Players must:
Follow the rules of the game.
Respect officials and their decisions.
Avoid abusive or offensive language directed at others.
Control their emotions during games.
Respond appropriately to penalties and instructions from officials.
Never intentionally target another player with dangerous or retaliatory behaviour.
Leave the ice safely and calmly when instructed.
Players must not use physical aggression as a means of resolving disagreements.
6. Off-Ice Behaviour
Players are expected to behave appropriately in:
Changing rooms
Rinks and training facilities
Team areas
Hotels and accommodation
Restaurants and public places during team travel
Transport used for academy activities
Tournaments and away fixtures
Players must respect property and leave facilities clean and tidy.
Damage to property, theft, deliberate misuse of equipment or serious disruption may result in disciplinary action.
7. Bullying, Discrimination and Harassment
The academy has zero tolerance for bullying, harassment or discriminatory behaviour.
This includes behaviour based on, but not limited to:
Race or nationality
Religion or belief
Disability
Sex or gender
Sexual orientation
Appearance
Ability or hockey performance
Family circumstances
Bullying may include physical, verbal, emotional or online behaviour.
Players who experience or witness bullying should report it to a coach, academy staff member, parent/guardian or the academy's designated safeguarding contact.
Reports will be taken seriously and dealt with appropriately.
8. Social Media and Online Behaviour
Players must remember that online behaviour can affect other people and the reputation of the academy.
Players must not:
Bully, threaten or harass others online.
Share humiliating or abusive material about teammates, coaches, officials or opponents.
Publish private information, photographs or videos of others without appropriate permission.
Use social media to deliberately provoke, intimidate or target another player.
Represent personal opinions as official academy statements.
Players should think carefully before posting or sharing anything connected with academy activities. (A separate Social Media Policy is also available)
9. Equipment and Facilities
Players are responsible for looking after:
Their own hockey equipment
Academy equipment
Team equipment
Rink facilities
Changing rooms
Property belonging to teammates or other members
Players should report damaged or unsafe equipment to a coach or member of staff.
10. Language and Conduct
Players are expected to use language appropriate to their age and the academy environment.
Swearing, abusive language, threatening gestures, aggressive behaviour or disrespectful conduct towards others may result in disciplinary action.
The academy recognises that players may become frustrated during competitive sport. Players will be expected to learn appropriate ways of managing frustration and emotions.
11. Safeguarding
The welfare and safety of young players is a priority.
Players should speak to a trusted adult if they:
Feel unsafe.
Are being bullied or threatened.
Are worried about another player's welfare.
Experience inappropriate behaviour from an adult or another player.
Have concerns about something happening within the academy.
Players will be supported in raising concerns and should not be discouraged from reporting something that makes them feel uncomfortable or unsafe.
12. Positive Behaviour
The academy will actively recognise positive behaviour.
Players may be recognised for:
Excellent sportsmanship
Teamwork
Respect
Leadership
Helping teammates
Positive attitude
Personal improvement
Commitment and attendance
Respect for officials and opponents
Demonstrating academy values
The aim is to develop young people who are not only better hockey players, but also responsible and respectful members of the community.
13. Managing Poor Behaviour
The academy will respond to poor behaviour fairly, consistently and proportionately.
Depending on the circumstances, responses may include:
Informal discussion and reminder of expectations.
Coaching intervention or behavioural support.
Discussion with the player and parent/guardian.
Formal warning.
Temporary removal from a training activity or game.
Suspension from academy activities.
Further disciplinary action for serious or repeated misconduct.
Serious incidents may require immediate action without following every stage of the process.
Where appropriate, the academy will seek to use education, reflection and restorative approaches so that players understand the impact of their behaviour and how to improve it.
14. Serious Misconduct
Serious misconduct may include:
Deliberate attempts to seriously injure another person.
Fighting or physical assault outside legitimate hockey play.
Threats or intimidation.
Serious bullying or harassment.
Discriminatory abuse.
Theft or deliberate significant damage to property.
Serious misuse of social media.
Possession or use of prohibited substances or items where relevant to academy rules.
Damage to property
Behaviour that creates a significant safeguarding or safety concern.
Such incidents will be investigated appropriately and may result in immediate suspension while the matter is considered.
15. Parent/Guardian Support
Parents and guardians are expected to support the academy's behaviour standards.
They should:
Encourage respectful and positive behaviour.
Avoid confrontation with officials, coaches, players or other parents.
Raise concerns through the appropriate academy process.
Support coaches in reinforcing agreed standards.
Avoid putting inappropriate pressure on young players regarding performance or selection.
The academy should be a positive environment for players, families, coaches and officials.
16. Player Commitment
All players are expected to understand and follow this policy.
By participating in the academy, players agree to:
Respect the game. Respect the officials. Respect my teammates and opponents. Listen to my coaches. Take responsibility for my behaviour. Play fairly. Represent my academy with pride.