The DIHA will be having its AGM on 7 November. Among other things, the Board will be putting forward four codes of conduct to be adopted by the club.

Two relating to players are pasted in below. Agreement to the relevant code will be a condition of membership. Two further codes relating to coaches and officials aren’t such an issue, as they’ll be taken straight from materials from the NZIHF.

If anyone has any comments on these two codes, please make them by first thing Friday, they’ll be going out with the notice of the AGM on Saturday, either here, or via email to me (president@dunedinicehockey.hellyer.kiwi).

Code of Conduct ? Youth Players and Parents

Youth players are expected to meet the following standards of behaviour:
1. Play hockey for a love of the game above all other things.
2. Learn and follow the rules of ice hockey.
3. Be on time and properly equipped for all practices and games.
4. Aim for improvement in all aspects of their game at all times.
5. Support their team and team members on and off the ice.
6. Respect opponents in all forms of hockey through good sportsmanship.
7. Respect coaches and listen to and follow their instructions.
8. Respect officials and submit to their rulings without argument.
9. Encourage others to play ice hockey through modeling and promotion of the sport.

Players can have the following expectations:
1. Have fun on and off the ice.
2. Have qualified coaching and develop as a player.
3. Be able to ask questions and learn more about the game of ice hockey.

Parents are expected to meet the following standards of behaviour:
1. Support players in their ice hockey, not forcing them to play, or having unrealistic expectations of them.
2. Communicate with team coaches and managers about a player’s availability and health as required.
3. Learn the rules and strategies of ice hockey to increase their understanding of the game.
4. Encourage players to follow the rules and to resolve conflicts without resorting to hostility, abuse, or violence.
5. Support all players to do their best and not criticising them for their mistakes.
6. Encourage and reward sportsmanship on the ice.
7. Provide a good example for fellow parents and players in their behaviour.
8. Respect coaches and support their work. A parent’s primary job at games is to support their child and their team, parental help will only be allowed on the bench if it is asked for.
9. Respect officials and submit to their rulings without argument.
10. Encourage others to play ice hockey through promotion of the sport.

Parents can have the following expectations:
1. Players to participate in a safe, supportive environment.
2. Players to have an opportunity to improve their ice hockey and play the game at a competitive level.
3. To be able to ask questions of the association and its board, coaches, and other officials at an appropriate time and place.

The Dunedin Ice Hockey Association has a zero tolerance policy towards verbal abuse, physical abuse, fighting, or any other unsportsmanlike behaviour towards team members, opponents, coaches, officials, or spectators. Any player, parent, coach or official who engages in this behaviour faces disciplinary consequences.
The Dunedin Ice Hockey Association has a zero tolerance policy towards ‘hazing’ or other team or rookie initiation rituals. Any player, parent, coach or official who engages in any such behaviour faces disciplinary consequences.
The Dunedin Ice Hockey Association has a zero tolerance policy towards performance enhancing or illegal drug use. Any member who is found in breach of this policy faces disciplinary consequences.
The Dunedin Ice Hockey Association has a zero tolerance policy towards alcohol consumption by members under the age of eighteen. Any member who is found in breach of this policy faces disciplinary consequences.

Code of Conduct ? Senior Players

Senior players are expected to meet the following standards of behaviour:
1. Play hockey for a love of the game above all other things.
2. Communicate with team coaches and managers about their availability and health as required.
3. Learn and follow the rules of ice hockey, resolving conflicts without resorting to hostility, abuse, or violence.
4. Be on time and properly equipped for all practices and games.
5. Aim for improvement in all aspects of their game at all times.
6. Support their team and team members on and off the ice.
7. Respect opponents in all forms of hockey through good sportsmanship.
8. Respect coaches and listen to and follow their instructions.
9. Respect officials and submit to their rulings without argument.
10. Encourage others to play ice hockey through my example and promotion of the sport.

Players can have the following expectations:
1. Have fun on and off the ice.
2. Play in a safe, supportive environment.
3. Have qualified coaching and develop as a player.
4. Play the game at a competitive level, regardless of skill level or any other factors.
5. Be able to ask questions and learn more about the game of ice hockey.
6. To be able to ask questions of the association and its board, coaches, and other officials at an appropriate time and place.

The Dunedin Ice Hockey Association has a zero tolerance policy towards verbal abuse, physical abuse, fighting, or any other unsportsmanlike behaviour towards team members, opponents, coaches, officials, or spectators. Any player, parent, coach or official who engages in this behaviour faces disciplinary consequences.
The Dunedin Ice Hockey Association has a zero tolerance policy towards ‘hazing’ or other team or rookie initiation rituals. Any player, parent, coach or official who engages in any such behaviour faces disciplinary consequences.
The Dunedin Ice Hockey Association has a zero tolerance policy towards performance enhancing or other illegal drug use. Any member who is found in breach of this policy faces disciplinary consequences.
The Dunedin Ice Hockey Association expects senior members to display a healthy respect for alcohol, which is banned immediately before or during on or off-ice activities. Any member who is found in breach of this policy faces disciplinary consequences.