DISCIPLINE GUIDE FOR CAPTAINS
Contents: - Section One - Introduction
Section Two – Captains
Section Three – Player Management
Section Four – MHC Discipline Procedure.
Section One – Introduction
The following guide for captains, is to ensure that all rules and regulations of Morpeth Hockey Club are adhered to by its membership.
The guide will set out tips & strategies for avoiding conflicts or ill discipline throughout the club.
The whole ethos of Morpeth Hockey Club is for every member to have the right to enjoy playing their chosen sport.
While MHC understands that we don’t live in a world of utopia and it is impossible to completely eradicate occasional discipline slips, persistent bouts of ill discipline should not be tolerated.
Section Two – Captains
As an elected Captain of Morpeth Hockey Club, it is expected that at all times you are an ambassador for the club. There is a level of expectation of a captain’s behaviour throughout the membership.
As a Captain you are responsible for your team’s discipline.
As a Captain you should:-
- Lead by example
- Instil a mentality of good behaviour and respect.
- Explain to players the importance of keeping good discipline.
- Spot potential conflicts early.
- Be the only player on your team who talks to an umpire.
To avoid potential conflicts you can:-
- Talk to players on an individual basis, before, during and after a game.
- Substitute any player who is “showing signs” of potential confrontations.
- Listen to your players concerns and approach an umpire in a polite, courteous manner.
Captains must:-
- Keep a record of all cards received on your Match Sheets.
- Talk to a player on an individual basis, regarding his behaviour if that player has received two yellow cards for the same offence in a short period of time.
- If the individual persists with the same behaviour, inform the Executive Committee immediately.
Section Three – Player Management
As a captain, player management is important; a lot can be solved with good communication between Captains and players.
Captains should:-
- Get to know your players, individually as well as collectively.
- Treat all players equally and with respect.
- Explain to players the importance of good discipline and its relationship with performance.
Section Four – MHC Discipline Procedure
1. General
The discipline procedure will consist of Chairman, Vice Chairman and Club Captain
The secretary will attend to minute the meeting
The Discipline Committee will be responsible for disciplinary hearings of members who infringe the club rules/regulations/constitution or in the case of a member who has been shown serious violent play on the pitch
The Discipline Committee will be responsible for taking any action of suspension or discipline following such hearings
The committee has the power to take appropriate disciplinary action including seeking termination of membership.
If any of the Disciplinary Committee is directly involved with any incidents or is in fact the subject of any disciplinary action, then a neutral member of the executive committee will be co-opted onto the panel in his place.
2. Complaint from a Member of the Club (about a member)
All complaints regarding the behaviour of members should be submitted in writing to the secretary. The secretary will call a meeting of the disciplinary panel.
3. Red Cards
If any member of Morpeth Men’s Hockey Club is shown a red card, the relevant team captain will contact the Chairman of the Club.
At the next executive meeting, the executive will automatically discuss any red card and decide if there is to be any further sanctions from the club on top of any suspension imposed by the league.
If any internal discipline is deemed necessary by the executive, the disciplinary panel will convene.
4. Persistent Discipline Problems
Any member, who shows persistent discipline problems on the pitch, will be in the first case warned of their behaviour by the relevant Team Captain.
If the member continues to ignore any warnings, the team captain will inform the committee at the next executive meeting.
If any internal discipline is deemed necessary by the executive, the disciplinary panel will convene.
5. Discipline Procedure
5.1 The discipline panel will only convene if:-
a) Instructed by the Executive Committee
b) A written letter of complaint has been submitted.
5.2. All parties involved will be informed that the disciplinary procedure has commenced.
5.3. The discipline committee will meet within 14 days of the receipt of a complaint or upon instruction from the Executive Committee.
5.4. The outcome of a disciplinary hearing should be notified in writing to all parties concerned with 14 days of the hearing.
5.5. There will be a right of appeal following disciplinary action being announced. This appeal should be submitted to the Secretary, within 14 days of receiving original decision. A personal hearing maybe requested at this point.