Zero Tolerance Policy

4.1 ZERO TOLERANCE POLICY #

Zero tolerance is a policy developed by the Canadian Hockey Association and endorsed by the MHMHA.

1. Members, players and participants are asked to, and are expected to, abide by the Bylaws, Rules, and Policies of the Medicine Hat Minor Hockey Association. Their behavior is expected to align with the spirit of the Bylaws, Rules, and Policies of this code.

2. All members and participants of the Association shall respect other members, officials, parents, players, fans, team officials, volunteers, executive committee members, employees and property of the association. Any inappropriate conduct, threats, harassment or abuse (including the use of profanity) directed towards game or team officials, members, parents, fans, volunteers, executive committee members, employees, damage to the property of the Association or another Association or facilities  where association events are held, will not be tolerated.

3. All members, fans, and participants of the Association shall respect the game of hockey and shall behave in a manner so as not to make a travesty of the game.

4. Medicine Hat Minor Hockey Association will not tolerate LOUD, obscene, obnoxious coaches, managers, assistants, players, parents, or fans. Such individuals will be subject to disciplinary action as outlined in the disciplinary section.

5. Parents and fans are not permitted in the dressing room except as expressly permitted by the respective division head and/or coach to assist their child in changing before or after a game or practice.

6. Under no circumstances will a parent or fan enter the opposing team’s dressing room.

7. Within the Medicine Hat Minor Hockey membership Coaches and other team official’s players, parents, and fans are not permitted under any circumstance in the official’s dressing room, nor are they to confront game officials about the game.
8. Violation by any member, fan, or participant of any provision of this Code of Conduct – Zero Tolerance will result in disciplinary action being taken by the Association against such individuals as provided in this document.
9. Harassment and Bullying in all its forms, including cyber bullying (ie. Facebook, Twitter, etc.) will not be tolerated during the course of any Medicine Hat Minor Hockey activity or program. All those involved with Medicine Hat Minor Hockey, including its volunteers, players and parents/guardians of players are responsible for making every reasonable effort to uphold this commitment. Specifically, this includes refraining from harassing or bullying behavior, responding promptly and informally to minor incidents of harassment or bullying and following Local or National policy guidelines for reporting or responding to more serious complaints of harassment or bullying. Everyone is encouraged to report incidents of harassment or bullying.
10. The inappropriate use of camera’s, cell phone or any other type of recording device is Strictly prohibited in dressing rooms OR the inappropriate use of any camera’s, cell phones or any other type of recording device is also strictly prohibited in and around player’s benches. This includes coaches, parents, players, and visitors. Disciplinary action, including possible suspension will follow any breach of this rule.
11. Any vaping paraphernalia or related equipment is not allowed in the dressing rooms or rinks.
12. Coaches and Assistant Coaches will have their cell phone available in Case of Emergency for that use only.
13. Also, after a game a picture may be taken by a team official or parents for a memory photo of the team under a special occasion such as a tournament or playoff win. Privacy Rules apply to any of these photos taken.
14. Any parent, who are engaging in team activities during games and practices are required to have a Police Record Check.

ANY VIOLATION OR BREACH OF THE PROVISIONS IN THIS CODE OF CONDUCT – ZERO TOLERANCE BY MEMBERS, FANS, OR PARTICIPANTS OF MHMHA WILL RESULT IN DISCIPLINARY ACTION BY THE ASSOCIATION AGAINST SUCH INDIVIDUALS WHICH WILL INCLUDE SUSPENSION AS OUTLINED IN THE DISCIPLINARY PROCEDURES OF THIS CODE OF CONDUCT – ZERO TOLERANCE.

ZERO TOLERANCE – ON ICE OFFICIALS #

Zero Tolerance also deals with players and coaches who show disrespect to all on ice officials.  To curb abuse, officials will penalize team officials and players who, through words or gestures, made an obvious attempt to:

• intimidate an official
• challenge the authority or competence of an official
• incite abuse or disrespect of an official by others
• embarrass an official
• direct personal comments or gestures at an official

Any verbal abuse or physical gestures designed to intimidate or embarrass officials that resulted in a penalty to team officials or players may also result in disciplinary action by the governing body.  Penalties for such actions will be a “game” or “gross” misconduct and a review by the Division Director or Zone Disciplinary person for further action if necessary.