Code of Conduct
The following Code of Conduct has been written to uphold the aims of Slazenger Hockey Club and to help and protect all players, umpires and spectators involved in the playing of hockey regardless of whether it is in league games, friendly matches or training sessions. It should be read in conjunction with the rules of England Hockey, North and Yorkshire Hockey Leagues, the Rules of Hockey and the England Hockey Code of Discipline.
Each individual is accountable for his or her own actions. Whether you are playing, watching, coaching or umpiring any match, it is your personal responsibility to treat your own team, opposition players, coaches, spectators and the umpires with respect before, during and after the match.
There are additional responsibilities placed on individuals and these are detailed below:
Interaction with Umpires
It is important to recognise that a game of Hockey cannot take place without the presence of two umpires.
Never argue with an umpire. If you have a query, ask your captain to approach the umpire at half time or after the game in a calm and courteous manner to get clarification. Do not pursue discussions in the changing rooms. Positive discussion between the players and the umpires is actively encouraged during the post match refreshment.
Pre game
On match days please arrive at the place stipulated at the correct time, ring the team captain or coach if you think you are going to be late. Make sure you have mobile numbers to contact your team captain or other members of your team and let them know yours so you can be contacted. Anyone who turns up obviously the worse for wear from the previous night’s socialising should not be surprised to find themselves in a lower team the following week.
Do not knock balls up on the side of the pitch when another game is in progress. It is good policy not to go on the pitch until the previous game has finished. Warm-up properly before the game and warm down after the game, it prevents injury and contributes to the teams success.
Please can you do everything possible to ensure your game starts promptly and is completed within its allocated time slot. This includes arriving in plenty of time to change and physically warm up before you enter the pitch area thus ensuring a prompt start. Avoid contributing to any unnecessary delays during the game and half time turn round and ensure you vacate the pitch quickly at the end of your game. A new clock is to be provided to ensure everyone can keep a check on time. Out of respect for our travelling opposition, games will be ended early at the end of the allotted slot if they are over running to avoid late starts in the following games.
Kit
The Mens` club colours are green shirts, white shorts and green socks with a change strip of black shirts. The Ladies colours are green shirts, navy skirt and green socks with a change strip of red/pink. Please bring both sets of kit to all games – the club can be fined for not wearing the right kit in league games, all players must have numbered shirts with no duplicates. (Yorkshire Leagues have recommended that all players should have a shirt with their unique club number.)
During the Game
The Captain/Coach is responsible for the conduct of their team and spectators for the duration of the game. Do not put them under pressure by poor behaviour.
A team can consist of 16 players, hence rolling substitutions should be expected. Whilst off the pitch wear a different colour top from your playing strip. Only warm up on your side of the team/bench area, not in front of any opposition bench or that half of the pitch. Coaches/managers should stay in designated area close to the half way line and not cross over into the other half. Substituted players are expected to act with dignity, and to contribute to the team’s efforts by supporting their teammates.
Make sure your team takes full advantage of the pre match, half time, and full time opportunities to constructively review play by listening to what the coach/captain is saying. If you have a point to make, do so in a positive structured way. Too many people ‘having their say’ is not helpful at half time!
Team spirit is a major factor in bringing success. Make sure you actively help. Don’t criticize or remonstrate with your teammates – every player has off days, it could be you next week. Encouragement and support is the way to build team spirit.
Discipline
This club wants to achieve an exemplary record, and it should go without saying that those who undermine our efforts in this area are risking their future with the club.
The Club is not prepared to tolerate players continuingly getting booked or sent off. It gives the club a bad name and does not help to win matches. Cards received by players are recorded and monitored on a weekly basis. Players with a poor disciplinary record will be interviewed by the Club and appropriate action will be taken.
We expect umpires to be treated with respect before, during and after the game.
If for any reason a player is sent off with a yellow card they should leave the pitch quickly and under control, so that the game can be restarted without undue delay. You are required to stay in the designated area and sit quietly – take time to reflect on your actions, take your punishment and learn from it.
Unprovoked aggression, intimidation and verbal abuse are not acceptable at this club.
Racist abuse will not be tolerated.
All points above apply equally to social networking sites –any person seeking to intimidate or making negative, abusive or aggressive comments will be dealt with in the same way as if this had happened during or after a game.
Spectators
Parents, ex-players, friends and others are always welcome to attend matches. Show respect for your team’s opponents and the umpires-without them there would be no game.
Respect the umpire’s decisions and positively support your own team and remember nobody makes a mistake on purpose; positive encouraging comments can be motivational.
Post-Game
Warm down and stay together as a team regardless of the result. It helps with any following matches if you do this off the playing area.
Do not approach the umpires and opponents on the pitch immediately after the game in an aggressive or abusive manner.
At the end of the game always thank the umpires and shake hands with your opponents.
Weekly subs should be paid to the team captain or nominees without him having to come looking for the money. You can catch them either before the game, or after in the changing room or clubhouse.
It is your responsibility to seek him out and pay, not for him to chase you. Avoiding payment is not acceptable.
Please go into the clubhouse or pub for a drink after the match and encourage the opposition to come back also. This is the best time to seek clarification with umpires. Try speaking to members of the other team; you make good friends that way. This is the essence of Slazenger Hockey Club.
Training
Serious contenders for places in any team are expected to attend training regularly. We go to training to get fit, to develop team spirit and to practice set pieces. It follows that, if you are not training regularly, you can’t be as fit as you need to be and cannot be part of a team.
Regularly attend and work hard during training sessions “a player who fails to train is training to fail”. If you can’t attend training let your captain or coach know.
Communication
If you do not attend training, ring your captain/coach to find out which team you are in at the weekend. It is far less hassle for many to make one phone call than for one to make many! Keep captains informed of your availability.
If you have a point to make to your captain, coach or a committee member, about team selection or other matters, that is your right, but please don’t rant at them in a crowded bar or on the touchline. Ring them or see them at training, or talk to them in the club. Let’s not wash our dirty linen in public.
General
If you think there’s a lot of responsibility spread around a small number of people, you’re right! If anyone would like to volunteer for any job within the club, your offer would be gratefully received.
Please make new members feel welcome. And finally, enjoy yourself, that’s why we play, we want to win but we also want to win fairly and squarely with a smile on our face.
