Brewins Youth Hockey - Policies & Procedures
2015-2016 Board of Directors
Chris SmithDarin McInnisTracie Drouin
PresidentVice PresidentTreasurer
Robert DelGiudiceChris LavoieDavid Wells
SecretaryCoaching CoordinatorMass Hockey Rep
Stuart BridgesDavid WellsHarrison Fitzpatrick
SS Conf RepYankee Conf RepMite Level Director
Anthony ChiaradonnaDerek LaBollitaVincent Quill
Squirt Level DirectorPee Wee Level DirectorBantam Level Director
Derek LabolitaRob deNormand
Midget Level DirectorScheduling Coordinator
Darin McInnisDaniel MoffordRob deNormand
Goalie Skills DirectorHouse League DirectorWebsite Manager
Darin McInnisDavid Wells
Equipment ManagerSafety Coordinator
For the purposes of this document "The Taunton Brewins Youth Hockey Association, Inc." will be referred to as: "Brewins Youth Hockey"
Code of Conduct:
To teach and provide local area kids the opportunity to learn to play hockey at an affordable rate and promote sportsmanship
Sportsmanship - To learn the values and sense of fair play. Become humble in victory, gracious in defeat. Foster friendship with teammates and opponents alike.
Respect for the Individual - Always treat others as you would like or expect to be treated.
Integrity - Honest and fair play beyond the mere strict interpretation of the rules and regulations of the game.
Pursuit of Excellence at the Individual, Team and Organizational Levels - Each member of the organization, whether player, volunteer or parent should seek to perform each aspect of the game to the highest level of his or her ability at all times.
Fun - It is important for hockey to be fun, satisfying and rewarding for all participants.
Loyalty - We aspire to teach loyalty to the ideals and fellow members of the sport of hockey.
Teamwork - Value the strength of learning to work together, hockey is a team sport. The use of teamwork is reinforced and rewarded by success.
Players Code of Conduct
I will respect my teammates and coaches and I will act appropriately during practices, games and during Brewins Youth Hockeyevents.
I will not use alcohol, tobacco products or illegal substances at any practice, game or Brewins Youth Hockey event.
I will do my best to be a true team player. I will encourage good team play.
I will not swear or use abusive language on the bench, in the rink, or at any Brewins Youth Hockeyevent.
I will control my temper because I understand that fighting or "mouthing off" can spoil the game for everyone.
I will not lash out at any official no matter what the call is. I understand that the coaching staff will handle all matters pertaining to officiating.
I will respect my opponents and their fans.
I agree that there is no place for fighting or violent play in hockey, where the obvious intent is to injure or harm another player.
Parents Code of Conduct:
Hockey Parents Make the Difference! They sacrifice a lot of time, energy and money to afford their children the opportunity to play this great sport!
Keep in mind that, above all, the motivating factor for most children who enter into an organized youth sports program is their desire to have fun. This is particularly true with young children, many of whom are newcomers to the youth sports scene. With a supportive attitude and a fundamental understanding of the "basics" of hockey, everyone will come away from their sports experience with a positive result.
In The Stands:
Parents can take the fun out of the game by continually yelling or screaming from the stands. Parents should enjoy the game and applaud good plays for both teams. The stands are not a place from which parents should try to personally coach their kids. Kids often mirror the actions of their parents; if they see mom or dad losing their temper in the stands, they'll probably do the same on the ice. Remember its a game and these are kids trying to have fun!
Car and Home:
Some parents not only spoil the fun for their kids at the rink, but also in the car, believing this is the perfect place for instruction. Parents should try to keep things in perspective. There's more to life than hockey, and the car and home are not places to coach. Parents need to remember that they are not the coach, and the most difficult kids of parent is the one who coaches against the real coach. It's unfair to put children in a position of having to decide who to listen to - their parents or their coach.
At Practice:
Parents have to remember that if a child wants to improve, they have to practice, not just play. Even if a child is not the "star" player on the team, practice stresses the importance of teamwork, establishing goals, discipline and learning to control your emotions, all of which are important lessons children can use both in and away from sports. Parents need to stress far play and risk management to help eliminate injuries. You should not tell your child to go out and injure another player.
Support Your Child:
There are many benefits that are derived from playing youth hockey. The players learn good sportsmanship and self-discipline. They learn to work together, how to sacrifice for the good of the team, how to enjoy winning and how to handle defeat. In the process they learn important lessons about physical fitness and personal health. The degree in which you player benefits from their experience is as much your responsibility as it is theirs. It is important for you to show support and offer encouragement while maintaining a genuine interest in the team.
Always Be Positive:
Parents serve as role models for their children. These children also often look to adults for advice, direction and approval. Never lose sight of the fact that you are a role model, and strive to be a positive role model. As a parent, one of the most important things you can do is show good sportsmanship at all times to coaches, referees, opponents and teammates. Remember that your children are PLAYING hockey. It is important to allow them to establish their own goals and play the game for themselves. Be careful not to impose your own standards or objectives.
Let the Coach, Coach:
Recognize the importance of volunteer coaches. They are very important to the development of your child, the sport of hockey and our organization. Avoid placing an exaggerated emphasis on winning. A recent survey indicated 72% of children would rather play for a losing team than ride the bench for a winner. The most important aspect of your child's youth hockey experience is for them to have fun while developing physical and emotional skills that will serve them in life. A healthy, risk-free environment that emphasizes the importance of fair play, sportsmanship, discipline and, most importantly, fun will be invaluable for your child as he or she continues to develop a positive self-image.
Spectators Code of Conduct:
Display good sportsmanship. Always respect players, coaches, other spectators and officials.
Act appropriately: do not taunt or disturb other fans.
Cheer good plays of all participants; avoid booing opponents.
Cheer in a positive manner and encourage fair play. Do not use profanity and objectionable cheers or gestures that are offensive.
Help provide a safe and fun environment; throwing any items on the ice surface can cause injury to players and officials.
Do not lean over or pound on the glass; the glass surrounding the ice surface is part of the playing area.
Support the referees and coaches by trusting their judgment and integrity.
Be responsible for your own safety - be alert to prevent accidents from flying pucks and other avoidable situations.
Respect locker rooms as private areas for players, coaches and officials.
Bullying Policy:
Brewins Youth Hockey has adopted an anti-bullying policy. We consider bullying to be behavior from verbal teasing to physical aggression. It’s our position that no amount of bullying is acceptable! Not all joking or horseplay is bullying, but when the intent or effect is to cause distress, repetition of such behavior is bullying and will not be tolerated. Physical bullying can include pushing, hitting, or kicking a person or interfering with their property. Verbal bullying is the use of words or gestures to hurt or humiliate another person, including name-calling, racial or derogatory insults and teasing. It is the responsibility of everyone to stop bullying. Steps the coach should take with regards to bullying should include a meeting between the accused and the accuser to hear both sides of the story. If the coach deems it necessary they should include the childs parents in a meeting so they can also voice their concerns. If the incident warrants further involvement then the level director or any member of the Board of Directors should be notified as soon as possible. If the Board determines that a person involved in Brewins Youth Hockeyhas taken part in bullying behavior, a warning will be given. If the behavior continues, that person may be suspended. Any further violations will be referred to the Board for further action, which can include further warnings, discussions with parents, further suspensions or exclusions, ineligibility for tournaments and playoffs, and possible removal from the team.
Locker Room Policies:
In addition to the development of our hockey players and enjoyment of the sport of hockey, the safety and protection of our participants is central toBrewins Youth Hockey goals.Brewins Youth Hockeyadheres to USA Hockey SafeSport Program as a means to help protect its participants from physical abuse, sexual abuse and other types of misconduct, including emotional abuse, bullying, threats, harassment and hazing. To help prevent abuse or misconduct from occurring in our locker rooms, Brewins Youth Hockeyhas adopted the following locker room policy. This policy is designed to maintain privacy as well as to reduce the risk of misconduct in locker rooms.
Locker Room Monitoring:
Brewins Youth Hockeyhas predictable and limited use of the locker rooms and changing areas (e.g. generally 30-45 minutes before and following practices and games). This allows for direct and regular monitoring of locker room areas. While constant monitoring inside of locker rooms and changing areas might be the more effective way to prevent problems, we understand in limited situations a coach cannot always be in the locker room. Coaches should conduct a sweep of the locker rooms and changing areas before players arrive and at the end of practice of a game and make sure nothing is left behind and that the locker rooms are in the same shape as when they arrived. The team should make sure that they have cleaned up the locker room and put any and all trash inside the barrel.
Parents in Locker Rooms
Except for players at the younger age groups, MITES/SQUIRTS, we discourage parents from entering the locker rooms unless it is truly necessary. If a player needs assistance with his or her uniform or gear, if the player is or may be injured, or a player's disability warrants assistance, then we ask that parents let the coach know beforehand that he or she will be helping the player.
Naturally, with our youngest age groups it is necessary for parents to assist the players getting dressed. We encourage parents to teach their players as young as possible how to get dressed so that players will learn as early as possible how to get dressed independently. In circumstances where parents are permittedin the locker room, coaches are permitted to ask that the parents leave the locker room 10 minutes before a game or practice is started and not enter until 10 minutes after a game or practice is concluded. This allows the coaches to address the players on practice plans and game plans. In a situation where a parent needs to be in the locker room during these periods of time they will need the permission of the coach. As players get older (Pee Wee, Bantam and Midgets), the coach may in his or her discretion prohibit parents from the locker room entirely.
Mixed Gender Teams:
Some of our teams consist of both male and female players. It is important for the privacy rights of all our players given consideration and appropriate arrangements be made. Where possible, Brewins Youth Hockey will have male and female players dress/undress in separate locker rooms and then convene in a single locker room before the game or team meeting. Once the game or practice is finished, the players may come to one locker room for a team meeting and then the male and female players proceed to their separate locker rooms to undress and shower, if available. If separate locker rooms are not available, then the players will take turns using the locker room to change. We understand that these arrangements may require the players arrive earlier or leave later to dress, but believe that this is the most reasonable way to accommodate and respect all or our players.
Cell Phones and Other Mobile Recording Devices
Cell phones and other mobile devices (i.e. Ipads, tablets, etc.) with recording capabilities, including voice recordings, still cameras and video cameras, are not permitted to be used in the locker rooms. If phones or other mobile devices must be used, they should be taken outside of the locker room. (it may be permissible to have team coach/asst coach collect all phones).
Prohibited Conduct and Reporting:
Brewins Youth Hockeyprohibits 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 Brewins Youth Hockey may be subject to disciplinary action for violation of these locker room policies or for engaging in any misconduct or abuse or that violates USA Hockey SafeSport Policies. Reports of any actual or suspected violations, you may email or call 508-241-2620 or you can call and email USA Hockey at or may call 1-800-888-4656 directly.
Injuries
If a player gets injured during the course of a game it is up to the discretion of the coach to allow the player to enter that same game again. If the player gets a concussion, pulled muscle, broken bone, or other assorted injuries it is then up to the parent of the player to supply a note from the doctor prior to the player being allowed to return to participate in practices or games.
Coaching Requirements:
In order to be considered for a unpaid/volunteer coaching position withBrewins Youth Hockey, you must fill out a coaching application, and have anapproved CORI background check and submit it to our coaching coordinator. You must also be registered with USA Hockey as an individual participant and submit your IMR. Once a year the Brewins Youth Hockey Board of Directors votes on the coaches for the next year. .
Attire:
All coaches are strongly encouraged to wear Brewins Youth Hockey appropriate apparel at all times when representing our organization. If you do not know what that is consult with the BOD President or Coaching Coordinator
Coaches should follow the USA Hockey Coaching Ethics Code. All coaches must meet the USA Hockey requirements.
Coaches Code of Conduct:
Winning is a consideration, but not the only one, nor the most important one. Care more about the player than the winning of the game. Remember players are involved in hockey for fun and enjoyment.
Be a positive role model to your players, display emotional maturity and be alert to the physical safety of players.
Be generous with your praise when it is deserved; be consistent, honest; be fair and just; do not criticize players publicly; learn to be a more effective communicator and coach, don’t yell at players.
Adjust to personal needs and problems of players, be a good listener, never verbally or physically abuse a player or official; give all players the opportunity to improve their skills, gain confidence and develop self-esteem; teach them the basics.
Organize practices that are fun and challenging for your players. Familiarize yourself with the rules, techniques and strategies of hockey; encourage all your players to be team players.
Maintain an open line of communication with your players’ parents. Explain the goals and objectives of your association. Be concerned with the overall development of your players. Stress good health habits and clean living.
As an organization our goal is to have all kids play an equal amount of time but realize in certain circumstances this is not possible. Coaches can choose who to play during the last 2 minutes of the game that will give them the best opportunity to win or save the game. If teams have an uneven number of lines then some kids who play certain positions will see more ice time.
All ice hockey coaches as well as instructors of USA Hockey programs shall be registered annually as individual Participants of USA Hockey for the current season (before the start of the season) in order to be eligible to coach/instruct in any regular-season activities (practices, clinics, games, tournaments, try-outs, etc.), state, district, regional playoff, national championships or in the USA Hockey Player Development Programs. There will be an annual fee to register the coaches (head and assistants) and instructors. Coaches who also play on a USA Hockey registered team are required to pay this registration fee only once per year. Coaches may register as participants online at usahockey.com or through a local association/member program (refer to Section I Participant Registration).