Introduction
Introduction This Code of Conduct aims to promote the St Francis Hockey Club’s ethos of providing enjoyable and competitive hockey for all those involved in hockey with the club - players, adult and young people, coaches, managers, adult volunteers, parents, spectators and umpires. As such, this Code will apply to all members of St Francis Hockey Club.

It supplements the England Hockey ‘Code of Ethics and Behaviour’ which has been approved as Regulations by the Board of England Hockey and the Rules of Hockey. It should be read in conjunction with the Club’s Constitution. Each Club member is required to sign up to follow this Code and is assumed to have agreed to do so by paying their annual Club membership.

Club Code of Conduct:
The Code’s basic principle is centred on the individual being responsible and accountable for his/her own actions. Whether playing, coaching, watching or umpiring. It is each member’s personal responsibility to treat your own team, opposition players, coaches, managers, volunteer helpers, spectators, umpires and officials with respect before, during and after training or competitive matches. St Francis Hockey Club applies the England Hockey Code of Conduct for the following five groups involved with the Club:

1. Players
2. Coaches, managers and volunteer adult helpers
3. Spectators and parents
4. Umpires and officials
5. Young Persons – under 18 years of age

As such, the Club Code of Conduct is broken down to provide specific direction to these groups.

1. Players

Respect the spirit of fair play in hockey. This is more than playing within the rules. It also incorporates the concepts of friendship, respect for others and always participating with the right spirit.
Respect the rights, dignity and worth of others. You should respect umpires, officials, coaches, players and spectators.
Protect their own safety and that of others. Conduct themselves in a manner that takes all reasonable measures to protect their own safety and the safety of others.
Never participate when under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
Promote the reputation of the sport. Promote the reputation of the sport and take all possible steps to prevent it from being brought into disrepute.
Accept success and failure, victory and defeat, with dignity.
Set a positive example for others, particularly young participants and spectators.
Protect others. Protect others involved in the game from, and do not use verbal or physical abuse and threatening or intimidating behaviour or language.
Annual Subscriptions and Match Fees. Pay annual subscriptions and match fees on time in accordance with the Club’s policies.
Abide by the Club Safeguarding and Protecting Young People in Hockey Policy.
Abide by the Club Equity Policy.
Take responsibility for your personal insurance for your activities.

Additionally, in terms training and the game situations, the Club expects all Players to follow the following practices:

PRE- GAME:

Keep in touch with your team captain and give him/her accurate details of your availability. If you are unsure about which team you are playing in or arrangements for the weekend – contact them!
Arrive at the arranged "meet" punctually and if delayed contact your team captain.
Ensure you have the means to contact the captain or another team member to notify them of any difficulty encountered.
Ensure you have the appropriate club kit of green shirt, black shorts and green socks unless otherwise indicated by your captain.
Ensure you have the correct protective equipment – gum shield, hand protection and shinpads etc
Ensure you have any medication you require.

During The Game

Under the Rules of Hockey, the team captain is responsible for the conduct of his/her team for the duration of the game. DO NOT put your captain under pressure by your poor behaviour or attitude.
Treat others involved in the game with respect remembering to treat your opponent as you would expect them to treat you.
Remember your game can not take place without the presence of two umpires. Never argue with an umpire, it does not work! If you have a query, ask your captain to approach the umpire at half time or after the game.
Do not criticise or belittle your team-mates. Every player has an off day. Encourage and support your team-mates and respect them.

Post Game
Always thank the umpires and opposition players and shake hands after the game. Should you need to do so, pay your match fees to your captain or nominated person on match day each week – this it allows the Club to function.
In the spirit of sportsmanship, join your team-mates and the opposition for tea.

Training:
Commitment to training builds not only skills and fitness but team spirit. Training is the place to
improve your skills and get noticed by the Club’s Selection Committee.

DISCIPLINARY SANCTION FOR PLAYERS:

Should a member breach this Code of Conduct, the Club may consider any of the following
sanctions:
Withdrawal of the player from the specific game (at the discretion of the team captain)
Suspension of the player for a match or number of matches.
Expulsion from the Club.
Any such suspension or expulsion shall be at the decision of a disciplinary committee comprising of the Club Chairman and the team captains.

2. Coaches, managers and volunteer adult helpers

The content of this Code of Behaviour applies to all coaches, managers and adult helpers involved with the Club. The Club expects that all coaches, managers and volunteer adult helpers will at all times adhere to the following minimum standards of behaviour:

Respect the spirit of fair play in hockey. This is more than playing within the rules. It also incorporates the concepts of friendship, respect for others and always participating with the right spirit.
Respect the rights, dignity and worth of others.
Respect umpires, officials, coaches, players and spectators.
Relationships: Respect confidentiality of participants and any related data at all times.
Personal Standards: Have the participants’ best interests at heart at all times and recognise when it is in the participants’ best interests to be passed to other organisations.
Protect their own safety and the safety of others. Conduct themselves in a manner that takes all reasonable measures to protect their own safety and the safety of others.
Never participate when under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
Competency: Have an England Hockey qualification/award/accreditation appropriate to the nature of the activity and the role being undertaken.
Competency: Have a valid First Aid – Emergency Aid Certificate, or ensure that appropriate first aid provision is available.
Personal Standards: Ensure that activities carried out by participants are suitable for their age, strength, maturity and the ability of each individual participant.
Safety: Ensure the wellbeing and safety of each participant above all other considerations, including the development of performance.
Safety: For any facilities used, have a working knowledge of:

Club Operating Procedures
Club Emergency Safety procedures;
Facility risk assessments for hockey.

Under 18 year olds: Should only work with a suitably qualified and insured adult and refer to the Young Persons – under 18 years of age section of this Code of Conduct.
Promote the reputation of hockey. Promote the reputation of the sport and take all possible steps to prevent it from being brought into disrepute.
Accept success and failure, victory and defeat, with dignity.
Ensure that all participants are aware of their responsibilities under the England Hockey Code of Ethics and Behaviour including Anti-doping.
Realise their responsibilities as role models and set positive examples for others, particularly young participants and spectators.
Personal Standards: Project an image of health, cleanliness and appropriate appearance for any activity they are involved in.
Personal Standards: Never smoke whilst participating in any hockey activity.
Relationships: Ensure that when in a position of authority this privilege will not be used to exert influence over participants to gain personal benefit for themselves, their clubs or their schools.
Relationships: Set and uphold the boundaries between a working relationship and friendship between themselves and participants when in a position of trust. This is essential when the participant is a young person.
Relationships: Never engage in any form of inappropriate personal or sexual relationship with a participant (‘inappropriate’ – as defined within a position of trust within Sexual Offences Act).
Protect others. Protect others involved in the game from verbal or physical abuse and threatening or intimidating behaviour.
Never use inappropriate language or gestures.
Never use foul, sexist, abusive, racist or any prejudicial language or tolerate it from players and/or team officials.
Abide by the Club Safeguarding and Protecting Young People in Hockey Policy.
Abide by the Club Equity Policy.
Take responsibility for your personal insurance for your activities.

3. Spectator and Parents:

The content of this code of behaviour applies to all spectators and parents involved with the club.
Although the emphasis of this code is on young people, this is not exclusive to young people’s activity.
and it is recognised that parents and spectators will also be present at senior games.
The club expects that all spectators and parents will at all times adhere to the following minimum standards of behaviour:
Respect the spirit of fair play in hockey. This is more than playing within the rules. It also incorporates the concepts of friendship, respect for others and always participating with the right spirit.
Focus on the young people’s efforts and enjoyment rather than winning or losing.
Teach young people that honest effort and teamwork are as important as victory, so the result of each game is accepted without undue disappointment.
Remember that people learn best by example. Appreciate good performances and skilful play by all participants.
Encourage people always to settle disagreements amicably without resorting to hostility or violence.
Respect the rights, dignity and worth of others.
Respect umpires, officials, coaches, players and spectators.
Respect the decisions of officials and teach young people to do the same.
Leave the coach to communicate with individual players on the field of play.
Show an appreciation for volunteer coaches and administrators – their efforts contribute hugely to young people being able to participate.
Conduct themselves in a manner that takes all reasonable measures to protect their own safety and the safety of others.
Inform the team coach, manager, captain or, if there is one, another member of a management team of any new or changed injury, health or welfare issue which they consider is appropriate for them to know.
Promote the reputation of the sport and take all possible steps to prevent it from being brought into disrepute.
Remember that young people participate in sport for their enjoyment, not yours.
Protect others involved in the game from verbal or physical abuse and threatening or intimidating behaviour.
Never ridicule or admonish a young person for making a mistake or losing a competition.
Never use inappropriate language and gestures.
Support all efforts to remove bad or abusive language and unsporting behaviour.
Abide by the Club Safeguarding and Protecting Young People in Hockey Policy.
Abide by the Club’s Equity Policy.

4. Umpires and officials:

The content of this code of conduct applies to all umpires and officials involved with the club. The club expects that all umpires and officials will at time adhere to the following minimum standards of
behaviour: Respect the spirit of fair play in hockey. This is more than playing within the rules. It also incorporates the concepts of friendship, respect for others and always participating with the right spirit.

Encourage both teams to play within the Rules and the spirit of the game.
Be honest, consistent, objective, impartial and courteous when applying the Rules of the
game.
Never request inappropriate hospitality of any kind, or accept any hospitality offered that
could be considered to be excessive.
In completing reports, set out the true facts and not attempt to justify or embellish any decisions.
Respect the rights, dignity and worth of others.
Respect other umpires and officials, coaches, players and spectators.
Show patience and understanding towards those who may be learning the game.
Never publicly express any criticism of umpires or officials such as match officials and technical officers.
Conduct themselves in a manner that takes all reasonable measures to protect their own safety and the safety of others.
Have regard to protecting the players through the application of the Rules of the game.
Never participate when under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
Competency: Have a current England Hockey accreditation or registration appropriate to the nature of the activity.
Under 18 year olds: Should only work with or under the guidance of a suitably qualified and insured adult.
Promote the reputation of the sport and take all possible steps to prevent it from being brought into disrepute.
Ensure that all participants are aware of their responsibilities under the England Hockey Code of Ethics and Behaviour.
Protect others involved in the game from verbal or physical abuse and threatening or intimidating behaviour.
Never use inappropriate language or gestures.
Never use foul, sexist, abusive, racist or any prejudicial language or tolerate it from players, team officials, spectators or parents.
Abide by the Club Safeguarding and Protecting Young People in Hockey Policy.
Abide by the Club Equity Policy.
Abide by the England Hockey Anti-doping Rules.
Take responsibility for your personal insurance for your activities.

5. Young People- Under 18 years of age:

The content of this Code of Behaviour applies to all young members (under 18 years of age) involved with the Club. It applies to all young people to encourage the safety and enjoyment of all participants involved in the sport.
The promotion of FUN, POSITIVE ATTITUDES and GOOD SPORTSMANSHIP should be the main purpose of young people’s hockey. Club members under the age of 18 will at all times adhere to the following minimum standards of behaviour:

Respect for the game:

Play within the rules but you should also consider issues beyond the rules such as friendship, enjoyment and always participating with the right spirit.
Be on time for training and competitions and inform your coach or team manager if you are going to be late.
Give maximum effort and strive for the best possible performance.
Always thank your opposition, coaches, umpires and officials after every game or training
session.
Accept success and failure, victory and defeat, with dignity and set a positive example to others
Respect for others:
Umpires, officials, coaches and opponents and spectators should be valued.
Respect the decisions of umpires and officials.
Protect others involved in the game from verbal and physical abuse an other forms of threatening or intimidating behaviour such as bullying.

Self Respect:

Young people should take responsibility for their actions on and off the pitch.
Do not smoke, consume alcohol or take drugs of any kind (other than prescription drugs).
Never use inappropriate language or gestures.
You must wear suitable kit, including mouth and shin guards and hand protection for training sessions and matches, as agreed by your coach or manager.
Wear suitable clothing for the activity in which they are taking part.
Bring any medication you need to play hockey, e.g. your inhaler if you are asthmatic.
Pay your match fees to your coach or team manager on match day.
Respect the facilities where they play and the equipment that they use.
Tell someone they trust if the behaviour of others makes them feel uncomfortable in any way.

St Francis Hockey Club

1. Safeguarding Policy

SFHC - England Hockey Safeguarding Adults Guidelines