ORO MINOR HOCKEY ASSOCIATION
POLICIES, PROCEDURES AND CODE OF CONDUCT
CODE OF CONDUCT
This Code for Conduct identifies the standard of behaviour which is expected of all Oro Minor Hockey
Association (the “Association”) members and participants, which for the purpose of this policy shall
include all players, guardians, parents, coaches, officials, volunteers, directors, officers, committee
members, convenors, team managers, trainers, administrators and employees involved in Association
activities and events.
The Association is committed to providing an environment in which all individuals are treated with
respect. Members and participants of the Association shall conduct themselves at all times in a manner
consistent with its values, which include fairness, integrity and mutual respect.
During the course of Association activities and events, members shall avoid behavior that will bring the
Association into disrepute, including but not limited to the abusive use of alcohol, the use of non-medical
drugs and the use of alcohol by minors.
Association members and participants shall at all times adhere to the Association’s policies and procedures
(as well as those of the Ontario Minor Hockey Association (the “OMHA”)), to the rules and regulations
governing Association events and activities, and to the rules and regulations governing any competitions in
which the member participates on behalf of the Association.
Members and participants of the Association shall not engage in any activity or behaviour which interferes
with a competition or with any player’s or team’s preparation for a competition, or which endangers the
safety of others.
Members of the Association shall refrain from comments or behaviours which are disrespectful, offensive,
abusive, racist or sexist. In particular, behaviour, which constitutes harassment or abuse will not be
tolerated, and will be dealt with under the OMHA Harassment and Abuse Policy.
Failure to comply with this Code of Conduct may result in disciplinary action in accordance with the
Discipline Policy of the Ontario Minor Hockey Association. Such action may result in the member losing
the privileges, which come with membership in the Oro Minor Hockey Association, including the
opportunity to participate in Association activities and events, both present and future.
Specifically, the Association and its Board of Directors will:
• Do their best to see that all children are given the same chance to participate, regardless of
gender, ability, ethnic background, or race
• Make sure that all prudent, reasonable, appropriate and necessary measures are taken on an
ongoing basis to protect the safety of all members wherever Association activities take place
• Make sure that winning is kept in proper perspective
• Appropriately and thoroughly screen all those who provide service on behalf of the Association,
both before and after they are involved, seeking to have Coaches and Officials who are capable of
promoting fair play as well as the development of good technical skills
• Distribute, publicize, promote, and enforce the Codes of Conduct within the Association
Code of Conduct for Players
As a player, I will:
• Make a commitment to my team by attending all practices, games, meetings, and special events,
and by playing to the best of my ability
• Respect my Coaches at all times. I will remember that my Coaches are providing me with the
opportunity to learn and to play the game of hockey
• Respect the safety of other players by playing the game within the rules at all times
• Respect the Officials and their decisions at all times
• Accept disciplinary action if I violate the rules or spirit of the game
Code of Conduct for Parents/Spectators
As the parent of a player, or as a spectator, I will:
• Enroll my child for the pure enjoyment of the game and the opportunity to learn the skills of the
sport
• Recognize that at a hockey rink, my child’s development is in the hands of volunteers who are
giving their time and energy for the sake of all participants
• Respect the decisions of the Coaches, whether at practice, special events, or during a game
• Conduct myself in an appropriate manner by being positive and encouraging to all players at all
times
• Encourage my child to play by the rules and to resolve conflicts without resorting to hostility,
profanity, verbal or physical violence
• Never verbally abuse a Coach, Assistant, Manager, Trainer, or Official. I will remember that
they have difficult jobs and will not undermine them by contradicting, interfering, or questioning
their character, motivation, or judgment in public. I will not engage in or encourage gossip. I
will take concerns to the proper Association officials
• Accept that I remain responsible, as a parent, for the safety of my child while he/she is
participating in Association activities. I will therefore do my part to protect and enhance the
safety of my child and others
• Understand and accept that violation of this Code may result in disciplinary action of some kind
up to and including revoking of membership and all rights associated with membership
Code of Conduct for Coaches and Team Personnel
I understand that as a Coach (or Assistant, manager, trainer, etc.) I am in a position of trust and authority. I
will:
• Be reasonable when scheduling games and practices, remembering that players have other
interests and obligations
• Teach players to play fairly and to respect the rules, Officials, and their opponents
• Remember that players play to have fun and must be encouraged to have confidence in
themselves
• Remember that participants need a Coach they can respect. I will be generous with praise and set
a good example
• Respect all participants, striving to be a responsible (Coach, Assistant, etc.). I recognize that I am
in a position of trust and power, and I will do nothing to take advantage of or abuse it
• I will do my best to be a competent (Coach), well prepared and adequately skilled. I will obtain
proper training and will attempt to upgrade and improve my skills
• Fulfill my obligation and responsibility toward the team and the Association, as established by the
Association, to the best of my abilities
• Direct comments at an individual’s performance and not at the individual
• Not ridicule or yell at players for making mistakes or for performing poorly
• Take reasonable steps to see that equipment and facilities are safe and appropriate to my players
• Co-operate with the Officials and refrain from public criticism of them. I will respect the Officials
and their responsibilities to administer the rules of the game. I will respect the fact that the
Official may have a different point of view and I will put my concerns in writing and will send
them to the proper individual for consideration
• Learn the signs of harassment and abuse, and the process for responding to allegations or
disclosures, and comply with the Association’s safety guidelines, working to prevent physical,
emotional/verbal, and sexual harassment and abuse
• Communicate with my players and with their parents, regularly throughout the season, so that
everyone is clear about the rules and expectations, and so that we have a shared goal for the
season
• Emphasize the importance of the Players’ and Parents’ Codes, and hold my team members and
their parents accountable for compliance
• Recognize and accept that violations of the Code of Conduct may result in disciplinary measures
being taken against me up to and including revoking of membership and all rights associated with
membership
Code of Conduct for Officials
As an Association Official, I will:
• Recognize that my position is one of a teacher and role model for fair play, especially where
young children are concerned. I will strive to honor that role and not to abuse my position in any
way
• Strive to see that every player has a reasonable opportunity to perform to the best of his or her
ability, within the limits of the rules
• Work in cooperation with Coaches for the benefit of the game, and be open to discussion,
constructive criticism, and will respect and consider different points of view
• Take all reasonable measures to avoid or put an end to any situation that threatens the safety of
players, team, team Officials, or spectators
• Seek to maintain a healthy atmosphere and environment for competition
• Not permit players to be intimidated by word or action. I will not tolerate unacceptable conduct
toward myself, other Officials, players, team personnel, or spectators
• Strive to be consistent and objective in making my calls, regardless of the personal feelings I may
have toward a player or team
• Strive to handle all conflicts firmly and with dignity
POLICIES AND PROCEDURES
A. EQUIPMENT
1. It is mandatory that all Association players wear all the required approved hockey apparel and equipment per Hockey Canada, OMHA, and Oro MHA rules, at games and practices, until they leave the playing area at the end of activity period. Failure to comply may result in suspension of the player and team officials by the Association.
2. Coaches and Assistants must wear protective headwear during activities on the ice in accordance with OMHA Regulations.
3. Deliberate misuse of any Association equipment causing damage or loss, will result in a fine equal to the replacement cost of the damaged or lost article.
4. Only Oro Hockey provided team jerseys are to be worn in all games. Coaches are responsible for Oro Hockey team jerseys and they should be kept during the season by a designated team official in lieu of being given out to individual players. All Oro Hockey team jerseys are to be returned at season’s end to the Associations’ Equipment Manager, unless directed otherwise in writing. Teams are prohibited from purchasing and wearing custom team game jerseys.
B. FUNDRAISING
Board Approval Required
All team fundraising events must receive approval from the Board of Directors. Requests for approval must be submitted in writing and receive authorization from the Association’s board before the event takes place.
No Conflicts with Association Events: Fundraising events will not be approved if they conflict with Association-run events or sponsors. Please ensure that no commitments are made until your event has been duly authorized.
For the upcoming season, we want to emphasize that direct team sponsorship from any company is strictly prohibited. This includes, but is not limited to:
- Banners displaying the team name that include corporate sponsorship where funds have been collected from a person or company.
- Jerseys that display a company or person’s name as a result of funds collected from a person or company.
Teams are permitted to fundraise through activities such as bottle drives. However, please note that lottery-style activities and draws, particularly those involving alcohol, are strictly prohibited.
C. COACHES SELECTION
In order to maximize the development of players by exposing them to various coaching styles and skills,
the Association prefers to see rotation of Head Coaching roles over time. A person who has served as a
Rep team Head Coach for two consecutive years will not be eligible to serve the same group of players as a
Head Coach in the following year unless approved by the Board of Directors. That person is encouraged to
serve another team in a Team Official capacity in their ineligible year.
D. POLICE BACKGROUND POLICY
All head coaches, assistant coaches, trainers, and managers must obtain a Criminal Background
Check(CBC) that includes the Vulnerable Sector Screening and Sex Registry screening. All CBC’s MUST
be submitted to the Association by September 30th.
E. INDIVIDUALS WOULD NOT BE APPROVED FOR A POSITION IN THE ASSOCIATION
The Association recognizes that some of the positions in the Association are of significant trust. People
applying for and understanding positions of trust will be subject to intense and ongoing screening and
supervision. For certain positions in the Association, a Police Record Check will be required as one
element of the screening process.
Individuals with Criminal Code convictions for the following offences within the past five years (5) will
not be accepted:
• Criminal driving offences, including impaired driving
• Drug offences under the CDSA or its predecessor
• Any violent offence, whether or not it involved weapons
Individuals convicted of any of the following Criminal Code offences, whenever convicted, are not
eligible for a position with the Association:
• Sexual assault
• Aggravated Assault
• Assault with a weapon
• Aggravated Assault
• Prohibitions or probation orders forbidding the individuals to have contact with children under the
age of 14
• Indictable criminal offences for child abuse
• Sexual exploitation
• Sexual interference
• Invitation to sexual touching
• Luring a Child
• Voyeurism
• Any offense relating to the possession or distribution of child pornography
• Possession for the Purpose of Trafficking
• Production of a Substance (as defined in the C.D.S.A.)
• Robbery
• Use of a Firearm in the Commission of an Offence
• Firearm Related Offences (with the exception of Unsafe Storage)
It should be noted that every volunteer once accepted, is obliged to inform the Association if he or she is
charged, tried or convicted of any offence under the Criminal Code or under other provincial or federal
statutes, if that offence is relative to a position of trust held by the individual.
Once accepted as a volunteer with Oro Minor Hockey Association as a coach or coaching staff, you will be
required to complete a police check every two (2) years.
F. SUSPENSIONS
Suspensions issued in accordance with the playing rules and included explicitly or implicitly in the Referee’s
report of five games or less are not subject to appeal. Suspensions of five games or more may be appealed
according to section 15.0 of the OMHA Regulations.
The Association is committed to fair play and safe play, and takes very seriously offences which detract
from normal enjoyment of the hockey program. The Board of Directors may impose additional
suspensions as it sees fit.
Any abuse of facilities or use of sticks anywhere in the arena other than on the ice surface may result in the
suspension of any person involved. All Team Officials, Convenors and Directors must discourage this
practice. Team Officials are responsible for the conduct of all team personnel.
Any player found to be vaping anywhere in the arena will receive the following:
1 game suspension for first offence;
3 game suspension for a second offence;
An indefinite suspension for a third offence
G. GOALIE POLICY
No player known to be a goalie will be rostered on a rep team until at least two goalies have been rostered
on all other teams within the same division. A goalie affiliated (AP) to a team at a higher level within the
same division will have priority responsibility to the higher-level team for conflicting game times instead of
his rostered team as long as at least one rostered goalie is available to his rostered team. Coaches of the
goalie’s rostered and AP teams will ensure that he meets OMHA regulation 7.2.b requirement to play in
50% of league games by his rostered team.
H. Tryout Policy
Players must play on the team, division level, where they are offered a position on the team. If this offer is declined, the player will ONLY be released to register for Local League.
I. REGISTRATION POLICY, REFUNDS, AND COLLECTION OF REGISTRATION, TOURNAMENTS AND REP FFES
Oro Minor Hockey Association has a duty to its members to collect fees owing in a way that is responsible and thoughtful, yet respectful to all those that pay. Action on unpaid fees must occur before or early in the season before it is too late for corrective action.
Registration
- Registration is not complete until payment via e-Transfer has been received by [email protected]
- Registration will open up early for Oro residents only. Date to be advised.
- Out of Area Fee: Players that do not reside within the boundaries of Oro Minor Hockey will be charged a $100.00 Out of Area Fee. Exceptions to this fee are out of area players that have played at least two full seasons registered with Oro Minor Hockey.
Payment of Registration Fees
Please include the players name and age group in the notes section when making payment by e-Transfer
There are 2 options for payment:
1. 100% of the registration fee to be paid via e-Transfer within 5 business days of registering with HCR.
OR
2. Payment installments will be accepted as follows:
a. First payment - 50% of the registration fee must be received by e-Transfer within 5 business days after registering with HCR (including lottery fee).
b. The final 50% of the registration fee (2nd installment, including lottery fee) is due on August 1st by eTransfer. Failure to remit this payment by this date will result in cancellation of your registration and your first payment will be returned to you via cheque.
If registration is completed after August 1st, full payment is required at registration and must be received via e-Transfer to [email protected] within 5 business days.
If longer payment arrangements are required beyond those stated above, please reach out to [email protected] to provide your requested payment plan. Your proposed payment plan will be reviewed and will require approval from the President at Oro Minor Hockey.
Registration will not be completed or will be cancelled if payment is not received be the dates listed above (or per an approved payment plan). Please ensure that you follow this policy to ensure that your registration is valid. If your registration is cancelled, your players spot will be given to the next person on the waiting list.
Players will not be allowed on the ice if full payment has not been received.
Refunds
All refund requests will be accepted until August 30th. Beginning September 1st, refunds of registration fees will be granted only as a result of: (i) residential relocation; (ii) the player becoming medically unfit to play; or (iii) the player chooses not to play while the division is at capacity as determined by the Board of Directors and another player fills the spot being vacated Lottery fee will not be refunded.
Refund - Table 1
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Up to August 30th
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100% of registration fee will be refunded
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During the month of October
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85% of registration fee will be refunded
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During the month of November
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70% of registration fee will be refunded
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During the month of December
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50% of registration fee will be refunded
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After December 31st
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0% of registration fee will be refunded
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a. All players who leave the Oro Minor Hockey Association before the end of the season due to residential relocation may apply in writing to the Treasurer for a return of fees. The amount of the refund will be governed by the date on which the written request is received and shall be calculated in accordance with Table 1.
b. Any player who becomes medically unfit or receives an injury that prevents him/her from
participating in minor hockey for the rest of the season, shall be entitled to a refund. The amount of the refund will be governed by the date on which the injury occurred or medical condition was noted by a physician and shall be calculated in accordance with Table 1. The player shall provide medical certification by a licensed medical practitioner in support of a refund request made on medical grounds.
c. In no event shall any player who is suspended or expelled from playing be entitled to a refund.
Payment of Rep Fees
Rep Fees are due at the time of acceptance of your players spot on the rep team. Payment must be received within 5 business days of the team being selected via etransfer to [email protected]. Your player will not be rostered to your rep team until payment is received.
Collection of Late Registration Fees (Approved Payment Plans Only)
Payment plans must be strictly adhered to. Any participant that is delinquent one payment on a payment plan will be notified and given one week to catch up and remit payment and will be required to return to their payment plan. Any participant(s) delinquent two (2) or more payments will be suspended until all fees are paid in full.
Collection of Tournament Fees
If the Association has paid tournament fees on behalf of a team, the Team Manager must collect the tournament fees from the players on the team and submit one full payment to: [email protected].
Players cannot attend tournaments if fees are not paid.
Payment is due in full when teams have been chosen or assigned. You will be notified by your Team Manager of the amount required to pay for tournaments that your team has signed up for.
Teams may lose practice time if payment of tournament fees have not been received on time.
Financial Assistance
There are several sources for financial assistance available in our area. Oro MHA recommends contacting organizations such as JumpStart and Lace ‘Em Up to find out if they may be able to help out with your hockey fees or contact the Oro MHA Sponsorship Director at [email protected].
Please be advised it is the parent’s/guardian’s responsibility to arrange payments to Oro MHA. Oro MHA cannot coordinate arrangements for financial assistance payments with third party organizations. Player registration fee must be paid in full prior to August 1st.
J. APPEAL POLICY
The Appeals Committee of the Board of Directors of the Association hears and renders decisions on appeals
submitted by Association members in regards to decisions made by the Board of Directors of the Association.
The Appeals Committee may hear legitimate complaints about the actions of board members. The
complaint must be specified in writing outlining the reasons. All members must follow the proper process
as set out in the Rules of Procedure. No member will be permitted to circumvent the process by going
directly to the Appeals Committee. The Appeals Committee will determine whether the complaint will be
heard.
Each officially convened Appeals Committee will, for the purpose of the hearing, have a triad as its official
participants. They will be the appellant (i.e. parent, player), the designated spokesperson for the Board or
Committee whose decision is being appealed; and the members of the Appeals Committee. All other
persons who are present will not be deemed to have official standing and may speak only with the
permission of the Chairperson.
At each hearing, the Chairperson will endeavour to have business conducted in the following sequence:
• Call to Order
• Introduction of Committee Members
• Introduction of Designated Spokespersons
• Appellant's presentation
• Presentation on behalf of the Board or Committee whose decision is being appealed
• Committee members’ questions to the presenters
• Rebuttal opportunities for the presenters, followed by summary statements
• Adjournment, followed by the private discussions required for the Committee members to render
a decision. The Appeals Committee has full authority to make decisions based on the case before
them.
The decision of the Appeal Committee shall be in writing.
Decisions of the Appeals Committee may be appealed to OMHA.
K. CONDUCT POLICY FOR COACHES AND TEAM PERSONNEL
Definition
Anyone who is registered in Oro Minor Hockey through the Hockey Canada registry to a team as a Head Coach, Assistant Coach, Manger, Trainer, Instructor or on Ice Helper.
Conduct
Comply at all times with the bylaws, policies, regulations of Oro Minor Hockey, and OMHA and Hockey Canada playing rules. Example, following all policies such as the equipment policy. We expect all members of our team coaching staff to be leaders and positive influences,while acting as a role model to the Association.
Sanctions
Failure to comply with this Code of Conduct will result in disciplinary action, including, but not limited to, the loss of certain or all coaching and managerial privileges connected with Oro Minor Hockey, including the opportunity to participate in Oro Minor Hockey activities.