Mosman Hockey Policy

Disciplinary Policy

Circumstances can arise when people associated with the Club and its activities do not meet expected standards of behaviour.

The expectations for Parents and Supporters, Players, Coaches & Officials are clearly outlined in the Hockey NSW Code of Conduct.

When breaches of the Code of Conduct occur the Club may it’s absolute discretion take action against an offending party.

The sanctions available to the Club can include, but are not limited to:

• Issuing a warning

• Suspending an individual for a match, matches or a season

• Excluding parents or supporters from attending matches

• Expelling an individual from the club

When a breach occurs the Club Executive will consult coaches, officials and other stakeholders. The person involved may make a submission to represent their views on the matter.

If a sanction is made against any person or persons the Club will provide detail about their reasons for doing so. However there is no right to appeal or contest any such decision.

Registration Policy

Registrations need to be made through the web site before the closing date. The Club can at its discretion accept any late enrollment, but is not obligated to do so.

In accepting registrations the Club endeavours to provide for all players at their respective age and ability levels. In accepting registrations the Club does not warrant that it will accommodate all players. Best endeavours will be made to field teams but in some circumstances (if numbers are insufficient, coaches unavailable, etc.) then this may not be possible.

It should be noted that volunteers such as coaches, managers, officials, and administrators have the right to refuse to work with any player, parent or other individual who exhibits present or past difficult behaviour and compromises their effectiveness or enjoyment of their volunteer role. In the circumstances that this affects the capacity of the Club to provide for its community this can result in the exclusion of players and/or families.

If the Club cannot place a player in a team or objects to any registration they will notify the Parents or Player, refund any applicable fees and notify the grounds for the omission. There is no right to appeal or contest any such decision.

Selection Policy

The Club makes selections for age grades and teams in good faith. It does so with the interests of players and teams in mind.

The following criteria are taken into account when selecting players:

• Skills appropriate to that grade

• Past playing experience

• Fitness and athletic ability

• Previous conduct

• Previous attendance

• Contribution as an umpire or a coach

The Club will consider, but is not obligated to provide for siblings, friends or former teammates when placing an individual in a team.

Where trials are held the club will engage an independent ‘neutral’ selector to provide feedback and assistance. Selections will still be made at the discretion of the Club executive. Any player is entitled to request feedback as to why they were graded as they were, but any decision made will be final and not subject to review or appeal. 

Hockey Australia Player/Athlete Code of Behaviour

As a player of Hockey Australia required to comply with this policy. You must meet the following requirements in regard to your conduct and in any role you hold within Hockey Australia.

1. Behave in a sporting manner at all times to all players, officials and spectators.

2. Don’t make detrimental statements in respect of the performance of any match officials or umpires.

3. Play by the rules at all times and ensure that the game of hockey is not brought into disrepute by your actions.

4. Do not engage in inappropriate and/or physical contact with players or officials during the course of play.

5. Accept responsibility for all actions taken. Exercise reasonable care to prevent injury by ensuring that you play within the rules. Reasonable care consists of showing due diligence in abiding by the rules and adhering to the officials decisions.

6. Adhere to the Anti-Doping Policy advocated by Hockey Australia.

7. Do not bet on the outcome or on any other aspect of a hockey match or competition.

8. Do not try to achieve a contrived outcome to a match or competition, or otherwise improperly influence the outcome or any other aspect of a match or a competition.

9. Do not show unnecessary obvious dissension, displeasure or disapproval (by action or verbal abuse) towards an umpire or match official as a consequence of his or her decision or generally.

10. Abstain from the use of tobacco and the consumption of alcoholic beverages while in the playing/representative uniform.

11. Adhere to HA racial and sexual vilification policy.

12. Respect the rights, dignity and worth of every person regardless of their gender, ability, cultural background or religion.

13. Don’t do anything which adversely affects or reflects on or discredits the game of hockey, Hockey Australia or any affiliated association, or any squad, team, competition, tournament, sponsor, official supplier or licensee, including, but not limited to, any illegal act or any act of dishonesty or fraud.

14. Refrain from using obscene, offensive or insulting language and/or making obscene gestures which may insult other players, officials or spectators.
The Tournament Director and/or Event Coordinator are responsible for ensuringthat the Code of Conduct is met at all times.

Hockey NSW Zero Tolerance Policy

To ensure a safe and enjoyable playing environment for all players and participants,at matches or activities sanctioned or staged by or held under the auspice of, Hockey NSW or an affiliated Association, Hockey NSW and affiliated Associations have in place a Zero Tolerance Policy for inappropriate behaviourby Parents and Spectators at such a match or activity (match or activity).

This Policy will supplement the current policy applied to Coaches and Team Officials. The Policy will ensure that:

1. There will be a zero tolerance shown towards any inappropriate or abusive behaviourfrom parents and spectators at a match or activity.

2. Any parent/guardian and/or spectators who feels the need at a match or activity, to:

• Persistently or wilfullyquestion or challenge the rulings of umpires
• Berate or abuse umpires
• Berate or abuse players
• Berate or abuse other parents or spectators
• Display conduct which is inappropriate in a sporting environment

or engages in any of the aforesaid conduct, will be asked to leave the match or activity venue immediately.

Failure to leave the match or activity venue, when requested will result in the Association or Hockey NSW representative taking appropriate action to safeguard the safety of players, spectators and parents. In the event that the aforementioned action becomes necessary, there is no requirement for a warning. A parent/spectator that has been requested to leave a match or activity venue may be suspended directly or required to attend a hearing. It should be noted that repeated inappropriate behaviourby a parent at matches and/or activities may have an impact on the playing future of their child.

All spectators and parents have to accept responsibility for their behaviourat matches and activities.

Any appeals against suspension by Hockey NSW under this policy should be immediately be directed to Hockey NSW – Attention: Member Engagement and Operations Manager.

Any appeals against suspension by an affiliated Association of Hockey NSW under this policy should be immediately be directed to the Association – Attention: Member Protection Officer.

This Policy has become necessary due to the reported instances of inappropriate and abusive behaviourat matches and activity venues and our desire to nurture a safe competitive environment for all participants at matches and activities. Hockey NSW implores any parents or spectators who feel that they cannot refrain from the above behaviournot to attend matches and activities.

Parents/spectators/Associations who would like to offer feedback or request clarification on officiating issues should direct their feedback through their coach/Association.

The health of our game depends on the nurture and development of officials and younger players. The realistic barometer of the health of any Hockey Association is their capacity to provide well organized and officiated competitions for the communities to service. It is the aim of Hockey NSW to help Associations increase this capacity.

This policy is not aimed at stifling or diminishing healthy supportive cheering or the ability of all spectators and parents to enjoy the spectacle of junior sport.

Please note that any action taken under this new policy and procedure is entirely independent of any action that maybe necessitated by law under the NSW Child Protection Legislation and Hockey Australia’s Member Protection Policy.

Parens/Guardians also agree to abide by the Hockey Australia Parent/Guardian Code of Behaviour.

Hockey NSW Membership Disclaimer

By ticking this form, I agree to comply with the rules, constitution, regulations and by-laws, codes of conduct and member protection policy of Hockey Australia, Hockey NSW and your association.

Current financial members of Hockey NSW will be covered by the Sports Injury Insurance Policy provided by the Association’s agent. In consideration of my application for membership of Hockey NSW being accepted by Hockey NSW, I acknowledge and agree that:

1. Release and Indemnity: In consideration of the Association accepting my application for membership, I, to the extent permitted by law a. release the Hockey Organisationsfrom all Claims that I have, may have or may have had but for this release, arising from, or in connection with, my membership and/or participation in any Hockey Activities; and b. indemnify, and will keep indemnified, on demand the Hockey Organisationsin respect of any Claim by any person arising as a result of, or in connection with, my membership and/or participation in any Hockey Activities.
2. I am bound by, and agree to comply with, the constitutions, regulations, and policies of the Association.
3. I am exposed to certain risks, and accidents can happen, in the course of my participating in any Hockey Activities which may result in me being injured, or my property being damaged.
4. I declare that I am medically and physically fit and able to participate in any Hockey Activities. I will immediately notify the Association of any change to my medical condition, fitness, or ability to participate in any Hockey Activities.

Hockey NSW Privacy Disclaimer

Hockey NSW Privacy Statement:  Hockey NSW is committed to the protection of your personal information. Any personal information that you provide to Hockey NSW will be used by Hockey NSW only for the following  purposes, namely the purposes of membership administration, membership statistics for research, developing and managing new and existing programs, strategic and planning purposes, the promotion of hockey in NSW, and communicating and providing information to participants about their membership and/or their involvement in programs, competitions, including those of sponsors and other general hockey activities, and purposes related  to each of the foregoing purposes. Hockey NSW will not disclose any personally identifiable information about you obtained from you to other parties or for purposes other than those referred to above. It is the policy of Hockey NSW to comply with the Privacy Act (Cth). Personal information about you is obtained by Hockey NSW only from information provided by you. This data is collected by Associations affiliated with Hockey NSW.

Members can gain access, or change access, to their personal information provided to Hockey NSW, or advise their desire for their said personal information to not be used for any of the above purposes by contacting their association affiliated with Hockey NSW, or by contacting Hockey NSW directly

Use of Image

Use of Image: If you tick your consent to the use of your image by Hockey NSW and/ or your affiliated association, each of Hockey NSW, and your association affiliated with Hockey NSW, reserves the right to use, at its discretion, any photographic material of, or in respect of, you in any form of media, art, advertising, trade, visual documentary, promotional material, merchandise or film coverage for the purposes of publicity for/ or marketing of, Hockey NSW and/ or your affiliated association,  without any subsequent or consequential compensation to you or approval required from you.