Code of Conduct

Mission/Philosophy

The mission of the River Valley Hockey Association is to create a fun and safe hockey environment that increases participation and improves skills while developing respect for others, self-confidence, and teamwork in our players. 

The philosophy of the River Valley Hockey Association and the premise for its existence is that participation in an organized youth hockey program should be healthy, educational, and fun. In keeping with this philosophy, the RVHA is organized to provide eligible players with many hours of healthful enjoyment in a team experience to:

Teach good sportsmanship, the desire to play fairly, and the ability to accept victory or defeat graciously.

Develop each participant to the limits of their potential, regardless of their ability.

Develop a healthy philosophy toward winning that focuses on the improvement and mastery of skills, striving to win, and giving one’s best effort rather than emphasizing the number of victories.

Develop individual and team skills, knowledge of the game, and an attitude of team participation, loyalty, and responsibility

Develop respect for coaches, referees, other players, and self that promotes discipline, increasing maturity and a good reputation.

Involvement in the River Valley Hockey Association (RVHA) allows each participant to make a personal commitment to healthy activity and provides opportunities for youth to develop the proper ideals of sportsmanship, ethical conduct, and fair play. Every participant should be willing to meet the challenges deemed necessary to fulfill these ideals. With this in mind, the RVHA has developed this Code of Conduct. The intent of this policy is to provide participants and their parents/guardians with a reference to your responsibilities and the Association’s expectations for your participation. No Code can be all-inclusive. Whenever conduct or behavior is determined to be inappropriate, the RVHA Board of Directors will appraise a consequence.

Values & Objectives of the River Valley Hockey Association

The following core values, as adopted by USA Hockey, are our association’s guide in their planning, programming and play:

Sportsmanship: Foremost of all values is to learn a sense of fair play, become humble in victory, and gracious in defeat. We will foster friendship with teammates and opponents alike.

Respect for the individual: Treat all others as you expect to be treated, including your coach and game officials.

Integrity: We seek to foster honesty and fair play beyond 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, parent, coach, volunteer, or staff, should seek to perform each aspect of the game to the highest level of his or her ability.

Enjoyment: It is important for the hockey experience 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: We value the strength of learning to work together. The use of teamwork is reinforced and rewarded by success in the hockey experience.

Participant Behavior

The participant’s greatest responsibility is to be a credit to him/herself, parents, Association, and community. Remember, it is an honor and a privilege to participate and represent the Association in various activities. For every privilege and right a participant has, he/she also has a corresponding duty or responsibility. The Code of Conduct will apply to all participants at all times (twelve months a year), beginning with their initial membership in the RVHA.

It is expected that, at all times, all participants:

Display high standards of social behavior.

Display outstanding sportsmanship.

Display proper respect for those in authority, including parents, coaches, officials, and RVHA Board members.

Display a real spirit of cooperation.

Dress with special care when attending a contest away from home.

Use language that is socially acceptable.

Abide by any additional conduct requirements established by coach(es).

Will be in compliance with their school’s attendance policy (if applicable) and will perform to their best ability in school. For the benefit of the student, the RVHA may work with the school and parents/guardians to restrict RVHA participation if a student’s attendance and/or grades are not in good standing.

It is required that, at all times, all participants:

Maintain RVHA-owned equipment and jerseys. Participant will be responsible for any repairs or replacement beyond reasonable wear-and-tear.

Refrain from the illegal use, possession, purchase, or solicitation of controlled substances.

Refrain from physical or emotional harm to another person or property, and from violating criminal/civil statutes.

Expectations of Fans and Spectators

The RVHA believes that parents/guardians play a tremendous role in shaping the experience of young hockey players. It is our hope that parents will seek out opportunities to help the team and Association and to be supportive of all players, coaches, referees, and the RVHA board.

It is required that all Parents/Guardians and spectators:

Whether at practice or a game, always be positive in support of your child and team.

Show respect for coaches and RVHA board members.

Communicate with coaches and RVHA board members when questions or problems arise. 

Cheer FOR your team, rather than against opponents.

Maintain self-control at all times.

Show respect for opponents in every way possible.

Respect officials and accept their decisions.

Clarification of Disputes

The RVHA believes it has the duty to provide open communication with the members of the Association. It also feels that many problems, conflicts, and concerns can be resolved through a proper sequence of communication. Clarification of misunderstandings and/or disputes between participants, coaches, parents, or any other interested party shall first attempt to be resolved with the parties involved. Listed is a sequence of communications that need to be followed to help resolve issues that may arise.

           STEP 1 – Conference between participant and coach

           STEP 2 – Conference between parent (and possibly participant) and coach

           STEP 3 – Conference between parent/participant and Coaching Coordinator (coach may or may not be involved)

           STEP 4 – Conference between parent/participant and the RVHA Board of Directors and Coaching Coordinator (coach may or may not be in attendance)

It is the hope that most conflicts and concerns will be corrected in Step 1, teaching our athletes to be self-sufficient and to problem solve.

Parent Code of Conduct from RVHA:

Parent Rules and Responsibilities: 1. Remember you are your child’s role model—set a good example. Be supportive, patient, and understanding, and encouraging. 2. Encouraging your own child will encourage the entire team. Stress the importance of group efforts. 3. Don’t compare your child with other players. Be aware that each individual develops at their own pace. Encourage your child to do their best and work to improve. Avoid comparing them to others who may be more advanced at any given time. 4. Leave the coaching to the coaches. Remember they volunteer their own time to coach and help our players grow both in the sport and in character. The coach needs parental support as the players look to them when on the ice for direction and guidance. Do not confuse the children by undermining the coach’s instruction and orders. 5. DO NOT confront coaches with problems in front of players during games or practices. RVHA enforces a 24-hour cool down period. If a coach or a parent would like to discuss a particular player or situation they will take 24-hours away from the situation before discussing it to help ensure clear communication. 6. Leave all reprimanding to the coaches during games and practices. 7. Appreciate the officials and the job they are doing. Your attitude toward the officials is the attitude your child will develop. DO NOT harass referees. 8. Profanity, personal criticism, and abusive language or conduct has no place with the development of RVHA players, on or off the ice. Often times people have misunderstandings or differences of opinion, it is part of life, and your job is to teach your player how to handle these situations. DO NOT disturb players or coaches on the bench during games. 9. Remember that locker rooms are for players and coaches. 10. Make sure your player has transportation to and from games, practices, scrimmages, and tournaments and that they arrive on time. 11. Fulfill all financial and volunteer responsibilities to RVHA. 12. Remember that you, as well as your team, represent RVHA. 13. RVHA can only be as good as the positive support and involvement given by its members. GET INVOLVED. Attend as many RVHA games and events as possible. Offer to help whenever you can. 

Conduct Resulting in Disciplinary Action

A. Use, possession, buying or selling of drugs, alcohol, look-alike drugs and/or inhalants (beer, wine, or non-alcoholic products such as NA, Sharps, O’Doul’s, etc.)

           B. Use, possession, buying or selling tobacco products.

           C. Misuse of over-the-counter or prescription medications.

            D. Knowingly enter a vehicle that is transporting alcoholic beverages and/or illicit substances unless he/she is under the direct supervision of his/her parents or legal guardians.

            E. Attendance at parties/events where drugs, illicit substances, and/or alcohol are being consumed/taken by minors is prohibited. (Attendance at family gatherings, sponsored by parents, where the use of alcohol is occurring is not considered a violation. These exceptions include such logical events as family weddings, graduation parties, and similar occasions. This does not, however, allow the use of alcohol or drugs by any participant under this Cod.)

           F. Violation of any of the Wisconsin Criminal Statutes in the following chapters:

                       CRIMINAL STATUTES:

                      Chp. 125           Alcoholic Beverages

                      Chp. 161           Controlled Substances Act

                      Chp. 939           Crimes-General Provisions

                      Chp. 940           Crimes Against Health and Safety

                      Chp. 943           Crimes Against Property

                      Chp. 944      Sexual Morality

                      Chp. 945           Gambling

                      Chp. 946           Crimes Against Government

                      Chp. 947           Disorderly Conduct

                      Chp. 948           Crimes Against Animals

                       WISCONSIN TRAFFIC STATUTES:

                      346.63           Operating under the influence of an intoxicant/drug

                      346.63 (M.)   Absolute sobriety

                      346.93      Minor transport

                      346.935       Open intoxicant by driver/occupant

        Further, they shall not be in violation of any municipal, county ordinance or laws of other jurisdictions in conformity with the previously listed statutes. It is not necessary for a participant to have been issued a citation to be considered in violation.

           G. Willful and or persistent disrespectful behavior may result in loss of eligibility.

            H. Violation of game regulations established by the USA Hockey Association and/or Wisconsin Amateur Hockey Association, which cause ejection from a game, may result in missing one (1) additional game. The coach and Coaching Coordinator will make the final decision.

           I.  Behavior or conduct unbecoming a hockey participant.

           J.  Flagrant violation of game rules.

      K. Engaging in any form of harassment. Harassment is defined as deliberate, repeated, or unwanted verbal or physical contact, sexually explicit derogatory statements, or sexually discriminating remarks that are offensive or objectionable to the recipient or cause the recipient discomfort or humiliation.

       L. Hazing – defined as:

                      1. To persecute or harass with meaningless, difficult, or humiliating tasks.

                        2. To initiate, as into a college fraternity, by exacting humiliating performances from or playing rough practical jokes upon.

The Coach and Coaching Coordinator shall have primary responsibility for processing reported violations of the Code of Conduct. Violations of the Code can be submitted by the participant or parent/guardian, a person witnessing a violation or having reliable information regarding a violation, a law enforcement officer, a school administrator (when applicable), a coach, or a RVHA board member. A participant will also be in violation of the Code by admission of guilt. A written statement including date, place, and time shall be turned in to the Coach or Coaching Coordinator upon knowledge of the violation. This statement must be signed.

GUIDELINES FOR CONDUCT VIOLATIONS - ENFORCEMENT PROCEDURES

The River Valley Hockey Association recognizes the enforcement of its Code of Conduct should follow procedures designed to minimize the chance of error and maximize the opportunity for interested persons to be heard. To that end, the procedures set forth hereafter provide to the parents, the participants, and the Association, a vehicle to assure fairness and, to the extent possible, accuracy in resolving questions under this Code.

            A. A person witnessing a violation or having reliable information regarding a violation must present the kind, time, and place of violation to the Coach or Coaching Coordinator in writing. It must be signed.

            B. The Coaching Coordinator shall inform the Coach, the participant, and the parent(s)/guardian(s) that a charge has been made.

            C. If the participant does not plead guilty and the Coaching Coordinator and/or Coach finds the student guilty of the charge based on the evidence, the student will be informed a timely manner of the decision, and a written notification will be mailed to the parent(s)/guardian(s).

            D. If the participant or parent(s)/guardian(s) is not satisfied with the decision of the Coaching Coordinator, he/she may appeal the decision to the RVHA Board of Directors, as outlined in Due Process Procedures found on Page 13.

First Violation

Upon confirmation of the violation, the student shall lose eligibility for 20% (rounding up) of the entire season, including first round of playoffs and including tournaments and contests, in which they are or will be involved. If the student chooses to reduce the consequence to 10% (rounding up) they may do so by completing five (5) hours of community service within ten (10) days of confirmation of the violation. The community service must be approved in advance by the Coaching Coordinator, coordinated and documented by the participant, and upon completion confirmed by the Coaching Coordinator. Participants must participate in practices and meetings as set up by the coach in order to serve their suspension. Participants must also participate in a behavioral assessment of the situation. Students must finish the activity in good standing for the served suspension to count. The participant must miss one major event; scrimmages are not considered a major event.

Second Violation

Upon confirmation of the second violation the student will lose fifty percent (50%) of the entire season, including first round of playoffs and including tournaments and contests, in which they are or will be involved. Students must finish the activity in good standing for the served suspension to count. The participant must miss two major events; scrimmages are not considered a major event.

Third Violation

Upon confirmation of the third violation, the student will lose eligibility from all RVHA activities for one calendar year.

Fourth Violation

Removed from eligibility from all RVHA activities for life.

Clarification and in addition to:

           a. Violators will not dress in uniform for scheduled contest/events.

            b. Attendance requirements at scheduled events of their activity shall be at the discretion of the coach/advisor.

            c. In a situation where a participant plays on more than one team, the participant shall be ineligible for both (all) teams associated with the RVHA.         

DENIAL DISQUALIFICATION

A participant shall be ineligible for an additional 50% of the season beyond the participant’s original period of ineligibility when the participant denies violation of the rules, is allowed to participate, and then is subsequently found guilty of the violation.

DUE PROCESS PROCEDURE

Due process is a procedure that the courts of law recognize as a necessary part of any rules and regulations. Due process furthermore, and of primary importance, recognizes the rights of the individual since it outlines his/her recourse in the event he/she feels that a wrong decision has been made. The procedure steps hereafter are for a participant and parents/guardians to follow in appealing decisions relating to eligibility. It shall be understood that students and parents/ guardians will be expected to follow these steps in the event legal action be initiated at a later date.

           A. Within five (5) days of the ruling of ineligibility resulting in suspension from activities has been made. The Coaching Coordinator will send a letter to the participant and parents/guardians outlining the suspension (specific           details relating to the violation, date of violation, period of suspension, and any other pertinent information.) The participant and parent/guardian may formally appeal the decision in writing to the Coaching Coordinator provided the appeal is received within ten (10) days from the first day such ineligibility shall take effect.

           B. A meeting of the RVHA Board of Directors will be called within seven (7) days of the receipt of the appeal. At this meeting, the Coaching Coordinator will present the case to the Board. The participant will be provided with an opportunity to testify and present other evidence at the hearing. The Board will take the appeal under consideration and decide if there has been a violation. If, in the opinion of the Board, the facts indicate a violation by the participant of the code of conduct, the consequences will stand. If, in the opinion of the Board, there is no violation, the participant will be reinstated. Notification of the Board decision will be made to the participant by mail within five    (5) days of the appeals meeting.

           C. Students will NOT be eligible to participate while appealing to the Board.

ADDITIONAL ENFORCEMENT

It shall be the coach’s prerogative to suspend any participant from a team whom they consider to be a demoralizing influence or a detriment to the objective of that team. If the coach initiates such a request, approval by the Coaching Coordinator is necessary for any suspension or in-season cut to take place.

Clarifications:

* Length of season will be determined by contest DATES (including playoffs, if applicable). 

* All games considered part of playoff competition would be considered one contest date. A participant who is ineligible for playoffs is ineligible for the entire tournament season.

*If a violation occurs at the end of a season (after all games have been played), the ineligibility period is to be applied to the next season of participation. 

AGE OF MAJORITY DISCLAIMER

The RVHA is aware that a percentage of the participants will have reached the age of majority. There is no attempt to deny these students their constitutional rights. However, in order to maintain consistency in our program, we shall enforce the rules and regulations of this Code of Conduct for all participants regardless of age.