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BANBURY BULLDOGS SKATER HOCKEY CLUB CODE OF CONDUCT Applicable to all registered players, guest players, spectators and visitors to Banbury Bulldogs training sessions, matches and events. The Banbury Bulldogs Skater Hockey Club aims to promote the sport of skater hockey in a spirit of friendly competition and respect for each other, opponents, spectators and other users and staff of all the facilities we use. Club members should remember that they are representing the Club at all times when involved in the sport of skater hockey. 1. FEES The Banbury Bulldogs aim to keep playing fees to the minimum at all times. For this reason we have to insist that all players must be fully up to date with ALL fees before they can play in any games or practice sessions. This includes any outstanding fines, team membership fees, league fees, match fees, training fees or any travelling expenses. The Banbury Bulldogs Skater Hockey Club will not be responsible for any fines that are imposed on an individual player by organisations or governing bodies of the sport. Players are responsible for settling these themselves, though there may be occasions when the Club has to pay the governing body in order to continue playing in a competition/league, in which case the player must settle their debt with the Banbury Bulldogs. A player wishing to transfer to another club will not have the relevant papers signed by their team manager until all outstanding fees have been settled. 2. ATTENDANCE Training sessions are run for the benefit of the players, by coaches who give their time voluntarily. We expect players who want to represent their Club in competitions and leagues to make every effort to attend these sessions and give their full commitment to the drills and scrimmages therein. If a player cannot attend a session it would be appreciated if they let their coach know in advance in order that the coaches can ensure they plan the most effective session for the attendees. Contact numbers are on the back of your membership card. If a player misses several training sessions in succession they severely reduce their chances of being selected in league, tournament or friendly games. Any player who states they will attend and subsequently does not turn up for a league match, tournament or friendly game without giving a good reason in advance of the game to the Team Manager or a member of the Club committee and in the absence of force majure, will be liable to pay their match fee and may also be fined. The Committee will decide the standard level of fines at the beginning of each year. 3. KIT AND EQUIPMENT The Banbury Bulldogs provide safety kit and playing equipment for players who do not have their own. This is paid for by the Club and, in order that it lasts as long as possible, players should treat it with respect. Players borrowing kit should return it to the storage area, paired up if appropriate, so that it is ready for the next player. As a minimum, players should provide a protective box for themselves as this is not something we would want to share! It is a player's responsibility to ensure they have all kit required by competition rules when they are representing the Club and that this is in good condition and will pass kit check. If in doubt, consult a qualified referee or your coach BEFORE travelling to the match. Under BiSHA rules players should wear the following: HECC approved helmet with visor/cage Neck Guard Chest/Shoulder Protector (Body Armour) Elbow Guards Gloves Protective Box (male or female as appropriate) Padded Shorts or Girdle, which must protect the kidney area Knee/Shin Guards Skates which have the full complement of wheels for which they were designed Full Senior Players ONLY may omit a visor/face cage, body armour and neck guard if they wish. Please consult a copy of the BiSHA laws of the game for full details and descriptions of kit requirements. As the club is BiSHA affiliated, we expect players to stick to the above kit requirements for practice sessions as well as matches, both to ensure players' safety and so that they are used to playing in full kit and it does not distract them during matches. If a player needs any help with repair or maintenance of their kit they should speak to their coach or manager. The Club holds a number or spares and will try to help out in order to promote safety for all our players. 4. BEHAVIOUR We aim to promote and encourage sporting behaviour within the Club at all times. First and foremost, players, coaches, managers, club officials and spectators should remember that, even when competing in scrimmages, we are all members of the same club. Everyone deserves to be treated with equal respect irrespective of their playing ability, age, sex, ethnic background or sexual orientation. Key to ensuring respect and understanding is communication between all members of the club. Players and their supporters should feel free to discuss matters with the coaches, managers or committee members as appropriate. We also have a players' representative with whom they can raise issues to be brought to the committee on their behalf. As a rule, training, equipment and skills are the domain of the coaching team; match organisation, travel arrangements, team and line selection is under the team managers and general running of the club is the jurisdiction of the committee members. Players are all at different stages of skill and development and coaches/managers should remember this when setting expectations and drills. They should apply encouragement and discipline as appropriate to the individual. If parents or spectators have issues with the way the club is doing things they should discuss this with the appropriate officials away from the session or game and in an orderly manner. Skater hockey is a physical contact sport and we recognise that there are times when players or spectators will over-react in a given situation. While allowances may be made for circumstance, we will not tolerate or condone physical or verbal abuse of any kind directed at other players, match officials, spectators or members of the public, nor abuse of kit or equipment. Players and spectators should ensure other users of the sports facilities are not inconvenience by our presence. Bags should be stored away from thoroughfares and litter disposed of immediately. Players should also be careful not to spill liquids as these become slippery and are dangerous to skaters. 5. DISCIPLINARY PROCEDURE Should anyone associated with the Banbury Bulldogs Skater Hockey Club act in such a way that the letter or spirit of the Constitution or Code of Conduct is contravened, they will be subject to the Club Disciplinary Procedures. It is hoped that incidents can be sorted out in an open and receptive spirit and that if someone behaves in an unacceptable manner they will accept correction from a club official without the need to invoke a full disciplinary hearing. However, in cases of serious misconduct involving physical, racial, sexual or prejudicial behaviour, it will be necessary for the person or people involved to attend a disciplinary hearing in front of a minimum of three committee members. Anyone appearing before a disciplinary hearing may choose to be accompanied by one other person to act as support/advisor. Following the hearing, should the accused be found to have contravened the club constitution or code of conduct, the committee members present at the hearing may issue one of three sanctions as laid out below: Level 1 - Official Verbal Warning For a minor offence, a player/spectator can be given an official verbal warning. The fact and circumstances of the warning will be recorded in the club disciplinary records. This will stand for 6 months from the date of the warning and, if there are no other instances of inappropriate behaviour from the person involved, the record will be removed. Level 2 - Written Warning If they are found guilty of serious misconduct or if they are issued with a second official verbal warning within 6 months, the person involved will be issued with a written warning, which will stand for 12 months from the date of the hearing. If appropriate, the committee may also levy a fine at the rate agreed by the committee at the start of the year. Level 3 - Expulsion For very serious offences the committee may expel the offender from the club either temporarily or permanently. This means that the offender will not be allowed to attend the club training sessions, competitions or events for the period of the expulsion. An offender who is expelled from the club has the right of appeal to the full committee.
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