Scouts Girls Hockey Code of Conduct:

Hockey provides a venue for our daughters to play hockey at a competitive level, to assist them in the development of their hockey skills, and foster a growing appreciation for the game. Our Code of Conduct outlined below supports a positive atmosphere for all players to participate in the game of hockey, while promoting self-esteem, sportsmanship, work ethic, and teamwork, both on and off the ice. Our goal is to field a competitive team and develop strong players – but our most important goal is to assist in the development of young women of exceptional character.

GENERAL POLICIES • The Regular season will run from, approximately, mid-September until mid-February. The Spring season will run from April through May. To ensure we field competitive rosters, coaches must be notified in advance of any absence for a game.

• For practices, only assigned practice jerseys and socks are to be worn. Please do not wear game jerseys or socks to practice. For games, please wear matching socks and jersey – do not mix and match socks.

• Each player must have a “Scouts Blue” helmet and “Scouts Blue” pants shell with logo.

• All players must dress in the designated team locker room.

• Neck guards and mouth guards are required for all games and practices as mandated by USA Hockey.

ZERO TOLERANCE POLICY

In order to ensure a safe environment for all players, coaches, and families, SCOUTS GIRLS HOCKEY ASSOCIATION, along with the Amateur Hockey Association of Illinois (AHAI) adheres to a zero tolerance policy for behavior by both players and parents. All players and parents shall show respect for teammates, coaches, parents, opponents, and officials. Bullying, taunting, teasing, hitting, fighting, inappropriate language, or drug use will not be tolerated under any circumstances and will lead to immediate discipline, up to and including suspension or removal from the program based on the Rules and Ethics Committee review/recommendation and decision of the SCOUTS GIRLS HOCKEY ASSOCIATION Board of Directors.

Players shall not:

· Openly dispute, argue or protest a decision made by an Official.

· Use obscene or vulgar, or discriminatory language, including swearing, at any time, even if not directed at a particular person.

· Visually demonstrate any sign of dissatisfaction with an official’s decision in a manner that openly embarrasses the Official and/or challenges his/her judgment.

· Taunt, bait, ridicule or threaten any Official, player, coach or spectator.

· Violate the Code of Conduct from the high school which they represent.

Coaches shall not:

· Openly dispute, argue or protest a decision made by an Official.

· Use obscene or vulgar language, including swearing, at any time, even if not directed at a particular person.

· Visually demonstrate any sign of dissatisfaction with an official’s decision in a manner that openly embarrasses the Official and/or challenges his/her judgment.

· Taunt, bait, ridicule or threaten any Official, player or spectator. Make any aggressive physical contact with any Official, player or spectator.

Parents and Spectators shall not:

· Use obscene or vulgar language/gestures, including swearing, to anyone at any time.

· Openly dispute, argue or protest a decision made by an Official.

· Taunt players, coaches, officials or other spectators (verbally or through use of gesture(s)) by means of baiting, ridiculing, threatening physical violence or physical violence.

· Throw any object in the spectators viewing area, player’s bench, penalty box or on the ice surface.

· Approach a coach, team manager, or official as a “24 hour rule” cooling off period applies before any contact can be made to discuss disagreements about that practice, game, or activity.

Electronic Communications Policy

Communications involving any participant should be appropriate, productive, and transparent. All electronic communication between coach and player must be for the purpose of communicating information about team activities or for team oriented motivational purposes. Coaches, players and all team personnel must follow common sense guidelines regarding the volume and time of day of any allowed electronic communication. All content between coaches and players should be readily available to share with the public or families of the player or coach.

· All electronic communications (text, email, etc.) between players and coaches shall include at least two coaches.

· Players sending electronic communications to just one coach shall include a copy to the player’s parent or guardian.

SOCIAL MEDIA

Coaches and team administrators are prohibited from having players joined to or connected through their personal Facebook page or any other similar social media application. To facilitate communication, an official organization or team page may be set up and players and parents may join (i.e., “friend”) the official organization or team page and coaches can communicate to players though that site. All electronic communication of any kind between coach and player, including use of social media, must be non-personal in nature and be for the purpose of communicating information about team activities or for team oriented motivational purposes.

ABUSE and MISCONDUCT

Social media and other means of electronic communication can be used to commit abuse and misconduct, However, this is strictly prohibited (e.g., emotional, sexual, bullying, harassment, and hazing). Such communications by any employee, volunteer, independent contractor or other participant of a USA Hockey Member Program will not be tolerated and are considered violations of USA Hockey’s SafeSport Program.

PROHIBITED CONDUCT and REPORTING

SCOUTS GIRLS HOCKEY ASSOCIATION prohibits all types of physical abuse, sexual abuse, emotional abuse, bullying, threats, harassment and hazing, all as described in the USA Hockey SafeSport Handbook. Participants, employees or volunteers in SCOUTS GIRLS HOCKEY ASSOCIATION may be subject to disciplinary action for violation of these policies or for engaging in any misconduct or abuse or that violates the USA Hockey SafeSport Policies. Reports of any actual or suspected violations should be brought to the attention of SCOUTS GIRLS HOCKEY ASSOCIATION President, USA Hockey at SafeSport@usahockey.org (800- 888-4656) or local law enforcement authorities.

Locker Room Policy

Only rostered players, coaches and team administrators are permitted in the locker room. All coaches, team administrators and players (attaining the age of 18 years during the season) shall have successfully completed USA Hockey’s SafeSport Program.

POLICY ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

Prior to the beginning of league play each season, each family will receive a copy of this policy and be required to sign a form acknowledging they have received, read, understand, and agree to abide by this policy.