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Code of Conduct and Standards of Behavior
IMPORTANT NOTIFICATION:
A player registered with any Northern California Junior Hockey Association
member club cannot practice, compete or participate in any member-club
sanctioned event or activity until the player, the player's parents
or guardians and the player's coach read this entire document, sign
and return the attached Code of Conduct Agreement to the member
club and said agreement is appropriately filed. Signed Code of Conduct
Agreements will be made part of the Team Book as provided for in
Rule 5.13 of the Northern California Junior Hockey Association Rules
and Regulations.
Introduction
In personal development throughout youth sports, the players, his/her
parents, coaches and administrators play a critical role. To ensure
that all participants work together to get the optimum benefits
from a great sport like youth hockey, they all need to be on the
same page regarding their roles and responsibilities. Each must
understand and respect his/her relationship with the other and the
commitments they share and that are required as a member of their
team, their club, Northern California Junior Hockey Association
(NORCAL), California Amateur Hockey Association, and USA Hockey.
Participants must also recognize that to achieve complete success,
they should understand both the values and goals of NORCAL and its
Rules and Regulations. The Code of Conduct contained herein has
been developed to aid the participants in achieving a level of behavior
that will allow all concerned to maximize the benefits of youth
hockey development and guide the athlete in becoming a well-rounded,
self confident and productive human being.
Three critical points are required to achieve a positive and healthy
relationship between players, parents and coaches. They are: (1)
to clearly define the roles of each participant; (2) establish rules
of behavior; and, (3) ensure communications of expected conduct
to all parties. A clear understanding of these points of emphasis
will help to prevent or curtail negative behavior.
Sportsmanship
A growing problem in youth sports today is the all-too common attitude
that winning is everything. Nothing could be further from the truth,
and the Northern California Junior Hockey Association believes this
attitude can contribute to players, coaches, and parents displaying
a lack of good sportsmanship.
In any athletic contest, the competitors should do their best to
try and win. After all, striving to win is a part of healthy competition.
However, winning or losing is only a result -- it should not be
the reason the game is played. In addition, we sometimes need to
be reminded to respect the opponents and that without them there
is no game. We need to applaud good plays by both our team and by
members of the opposing team.
Everyone in the game, including the parents and spectators, should
have a sense of fair play. Satisfaction for players, coaches, parents
and spectators should come from watching athletes playing their
hardest and doing their best. There is a big difference between
losing and being a loser. By the same token, a team may score the
most goals in the game, but if the participants aren't humble in
victory or played without respect for their opponent, they aren't
winners.
Responsibilities and Standards of Behavior
The Code of Conduct for the Northern California Junior Hockey Association
is centered on and incorporates the USA Hockey Codes of Conduct.
The various code provisions give a solid foundation for expectations
and goals. The codes set the ground rules, standards of behavior
and establish a perspective regarding the objectives of a youth
hockey program. USA Hockey has emphasized a Zero Tolerance Policy
for inappropriate behavior and has implemented a Parent Awareness
Program. USA Hockey publishes a Code of Conduct for players, parent
and coaches in its Annual Guide.
All member clubs are responsible for the dissemination, communication
and enforcement of the Rules and Regulations and the Code of Conduct
of the Northern California Junior Hockey Association. All players,
parents, guardians, administrators and coaches are responsible for
the being familiar with and supporting these Rules and Regulations
and the Code of Conduct.
NORCAL has approved and adopted provisions that all players, coaches,
and parents are required to sign a Code of Conduct Agreement that
will be kept in their team's binder. The document contains an acknowledgment
that the participants have read, understand and pledge to behave
in accordance with the Rules and Regulations and the Code of Conduct
of the Northern California Junior Hockey Association. The league's
intent is that this process will help communicate the standards
of behavior to all participants throughout NORCAL, and in doing
so help elevate the level of the youth hockey experience for all
concerned.
It must be clearly understood that any player breaking any of
the NORCAL Rules and Regulations or violating the Code of Conduct
may cause the player to be suspended for a period of time or to
forfeit his/her player status in NORCAL or with any member club
of NORCAL for the remainder of the season. There will be no refund
for any un-used ice times, tournament or game fees as result of
such suspension and/or forfeiture. Any coach, parent or spectator
breaking any of the NORCAL Rules and Regulations or violating the
Code of Conduct may be suspended for a specified or indefinite period
of time based on a review and ruling the NORCAL Executive Committee
(NORCAL Review and Discipline Committee).
Parents and Spectators Code of Conduct
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Do not force your children to participate in sports, but support their desires to play their chosen
sport. Children are involved in organized sports for their enjoyment. Make it fun. |
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Encourage your child to play by the rules. Remember, children learn best by example, so applaud
the good plays of both teams. |
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Be respectful of and do not embarrass your child by yelling at players, coaches, officials or other parents.
By showing a positive attitude toward the game and all of its participants, your child will benefit. |
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Emphasize skill development and practices and how they benefit your young athlete. De-emphasize games
and competition in the lower age groups. |
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Know and study the rules of the game, and support the officials on and off the ice. This approach will
help in the development and support of the game. Any criticism of the officials only hurts the game. |
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Display good sportsmanship. Applaud a good effort in both victory and defeat, and enforce the positive
points of the game. Recognize good plays by both your team and the opposing team with applause. |
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Never yell or physically abuse your child after a game or practice - it is destructive. Work toward
removing the physical and verbal abuse in youth sports. |
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Recognize the importance of volunteer coaches. They are important to the development of your child and
the sport. Communicate with coaches, support their decisions and trusting their judgment and integrity. |
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Act appropriately; do not taunt or disturb other fans; enjoy the game together. |
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Cheer good plays of all participants; avoid booing opponents. Cheer in a positive manner and encourage
fair play; profanity and objectionable cheers or gestures are offensive. |
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Help provide a safe and fun environment; throwing any items on the ice surface can cause injury to players
and officials. Be responsible for your own safety - be alert to prevent accidents from flying pucks and
other avoidable situations. |
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Do not lean over or pound on the glass; the glass surrounding the ice surface is part of the playing area. |
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Respect locker rooms as private areas for players, coaches and officials. |
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Be supportive after the game - win or lose. Recognize good efforts, teamwork and sportsmanship. |
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Refrain from the use of abusive, obscene or profane language or gestures. |
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Treat everyone fairly, regardless of gender, place of origin, color, sexual orientation, religion, political
belief or economic status. |
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Abstain from use of tobacco, drinking alcoholic beverages, using illegal substances or mind-altering drugs at
any NORCAL sanctioned activity or event. |
Players' Code of Conduct
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Play for FUN. |
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Abide by the rules of your team, your club, Northern California Junior Hockey Association, California Amateur
Hockey Association, and USA Hockey. |
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Work hard to improve your skills. |
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Be a team player - get along with a team environment. Never place blame for a loss or tie on teammates.
Understand that you win or lose as a team. |
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Learn teamwork, sportsmanship and discipline. |
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Be on time for practices and games. |
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Learn the rules and play by them. Always be a good sport. |
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Respect, and refrain from public criticism of, your coach, your teammates, your parents, opponents and officials.
The respect you give will dictate the respect you get. |
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Never argue with an official's decision. No lashing out at any official no matter what the call is.
Let the coaching staff handle all matters pertaining to officiating. |
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Anyone who receives a penalty will skate directly to the penalty box. |
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Understand that fighting will not be tolerated and can result in an appearance before the NORCAL Executive
Committee (NORCAL Review and Discipline Committee). |
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Conduct oneself in a befitting manner and refrain from the use of abusive, obscene or profane language or
gestures. No swearing or abusive language on the bench, in the rink, at the hotel or any team function. |
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Treat everyone fairly, regardless of gender, place of origin, color, sexual orientation, religion, political
belief or economic status. |
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Abstain from use of tobacco, drinking alcoholic beverages, using illegal substances, or performance enhancing
or mind-altering drugs. |
Coaches Code of Conduct
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Understand that winning is a consideration, but not the only one, nor the most important one.
Care more about the development of the child than the winning of the game. |
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Remember players are involved in hockey for fun and enjoyment. Be reasonable, remembering that players
have other interests and obligations. |
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Teach my players to play fairly and to respect the rules, officials and opponents. |
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Be a positive role model to your players, display emotional maturity and be alert to the physical safety
of players. |
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Ensure that player behavior is acceptable and non-threatening for all participants. |
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Be generous with your praise when it is deserved; be consistent, honest; be fair and just; do not criticize
players publicly; learn to be a more effective communicator and coach, don't yell at players. |
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Adjust to personal needs and problem of players, be a good listener, never verbally or physically abuse a
player or official; give all players the opportunity to improve their skills, gain confidence and develop
self-esteem; teach them the basics. Give each team member a fair and honest chance to play. |
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Organize practices that are fun and challenging for your players. Familiarize yourself with the rules,
techniques and strategies of hockey; encourage all your players to be team players. |
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Maintain an open line of communication with your players' parents. Explain the goals and objectives
of your association. |
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Be concerned with the overall development of your players. Stress good health habits and clean living. |
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Refrain from the use of abusive, obscene or profane language or gestures. |
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Treat everyone fairly, regardless of gender, place of origin, color, sexual orientation, religion, political
belief or economic status. |
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Abstain from use of tobacco, drinking alcoholic beverages, using illegal substances, or performance enhancing
or mind-altering drugs. |
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Understand and teach players that to play the game is great; to love the game is greater. |
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NOTE: Code of Conduct Agreement to be provided to each player, parent and coach prior to beginning
of the season
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