Code of Conduct

Players Bill of Rights

All children participating in the hockey programs of the Minor Oaks Hockey Association enjoy the following rights and are entitled to the protection of these rights.

SPORTSMANSHIP: You have the right to participate in a program in which sportsmanship, honesty and integrity are the cornerstones.

RESPECT: You have the right to the respect of your coaches, your team-mates, the coaches and players of the opposing team, the referees and spectators and each of them has the right to expect the same of you.

PARTICIPATION: You have the right to participate fully in the activities of your team, but not necessarily equally.

SKILL DEVELOPMENT: You have the right to learn about your sport and develop your skills to the maximum of your potential.

FREEDOM FROM ABUSE: You have the right to say no to physical contact or interaction with any member of the coaching staff or any other person in a position of authority or influence.

FREE SPEECH: You have the right to speak freely without fear of recrimination.

FAIR TREATMENT: You have the right to be treated fairly and with impartiality.

FUN: You have the right to have fun.

Players Code of Conduct

All members of the Corporation and all invitees, including spectators, shall abide by the following code of conduct. Failure to do so may result in disciplinary measures, including suspension and/or expulsion, being imposed by the Bill of Rights Committee of the Corporation.

1. Win or lose, players shall congratulate their team-mates and coaches as well as the p layers and coaches of the opposing team in a genuine and positive manner. Derogatory comments are absolutely forbidden.
2. The referees are in charge of the game. Only the captains and alternate captains of the team shall address the referees and then shall do so only in a civil tone. Use of foul or abusive language is absolutely prohibited. While explanations of a referee's call may be legitimately sought, questioning the referee's judgment is forbidden. Accept the call and get on with the game.
3. Spectators shall provide only a positive encouragement for the players, coaches, and referees. Derogatory comments aimed at any player, coach, or referee from a spectator shall be addressed with a strong warning on the first offence at any game. Upon the commission of a second offence by the same spectator, that spectator shall be removed form the Arena and forbidden re-entrance during the game and spectator's identity shall be properly noted. Should any spectator be removed from any three games, that spectator's removal shall be accompanied by a (one-month) ban from attendance at any games held in Oakville. Upon a fifth offence, that spectator shall be banned for the balance of the season.
4. The coaching staff shall lead by example and shall adhere in all respects to this code of conduct. In addition, coaching staff shall address their own players the referees and the coaching staff of the other team only in a civilized and respectful tone. Coaching staff of the team may not address the players of the opposing team except to provide positive encouragement or congratulations. Discouraging or humiliating remarks, gestures or other communications to players, referees and the opposing team shall be absolutely forbidden. In addition, coaching staff shall at all times, both in practices and games, treat their own players with respect and dignity. Humiliation, belittlement and embarrassment through words, actions or conduct are inappropriate forms of punishment and ineffective instructional methods and shall be absolutely prohibited.
5. Each child is entitled to the benefit of constructive criticism and instruction in order to develop his or her skills to their maximum potential. Coaching staff must carry out performance appraisals in an impartial and objective way based solely on an evaluation of technical skills, play, leadership, sportsmanship and the adherence of the children to the core values of the M.O.H.A. Favoritism, actual and perceived, must be always avoided.
6. No player shall use performance enhancing drugs or other substances from time to time listed on the banned or prohibited substances list prepared by the International Olympic Committee and no member of the coaching staff purchase, sell, supply, administer or otherwise participate in the use by any player of any performance enhancing drugs or such banned substances. Any player or coach in breach of this rule shall, on a first offence, be banned from participation in hockey programs of the M.O.H.A. for a period of one year and upon a second offence shall be banned for life from participation in the hockey programs of the M.O.H.A.
7. Play hard but play fair. Hockey by its nature is a physically tough game; it shall be played with maximum effort in a sportsmanlike manner within the rules from time to time endorsed by the Ontario Hockey Federation. Players shall not set out to intentionally maim or injure another player and the coaching staff, by their actions, words, conduct or inaction, shall not encourage or endorse such behaviour.
8. Players and coaches alike shall participate in the game of hockey with honesty and integrity. Any player who intentionally participates in any conduct which results in the intentional violation for the rules of eligibility from time to time governing the M.O.H.A. or otherwise intentionally circumvents the rules of eligibility shall be subject to an immediate one year suspension from participation in all hockey programs run by the M.O.H.A. Any person committing a second offence shall be subject to a lifetime suspension from participation in the hockey programs of the M.O.H.A.
9. The coaching staff shall at all times honor the Player's Bill of Rights and ensure that these rights are upheld and afforded to each and every child participating in the M.O.H.A programs. Each member of the coaching staff shall have a positive obligation to expeditiously report to the executive of the M.O.H.A. any instance of a breach of the rights of any player of which he has specific knowledge or which he has reasonable grounds for believing has occurred.
10. The coaching staff shall strictly adhere to the policies and procedures for coaching staff established from time to time by the M.O.H.A.

Harassment and Abuse

When a young person is harassed or abused by an adult occupying a position of trust, the impact can be devastating. A major hurdle to healing the wounds that inevitable result is non-disclosure: in order to recover, victims must be heard and believed.

Harassment is understood as encompassing a very broad range of prohibited behaviour, including discriminatory conduct, physical and sexual harassment, emotional, mental, physical and sexual abuse.

Minor Hockey believes that any hockey player should have the ability to discuss any concerns that might be classified as harassment. Minor Hockey also believes that false allegations can be devastating to a person's career and personal life.

In view of the incidents of harassment that have affected the sport of hockey, we believe that there is a need for a concerned player, to be able to talk in private and confidentially with our organization.

We do not encourage minor or frivolous concerns which may result from frustration or anger to be reported or acted upon, however, we are available to talk to your request.

Ralph Robinson, Past President and Life Member of M.O.H.A. is the appointed "Ombudsman" to hear your concerns.

Please feel free to contact Ralph Robinson at (905) 847 7516 if you believe there is a need to discuss any incident that, in your opinion, is an issue of harassment.