MENDIP HOCKEY CLUB CP Policy

Code of Conduct

What do we want to achieve?
1. There will be zero tolerance for harassment of umpires.
2. There will be an improvement in on-field player discipline, particularly in the area of dissent to umpires.

The Club has a responsibility:
1. To ensure everyone within the Club (club members), whatever their role, has read and signed up to the Code – and understands the actions which could be taken if that Code is broken.
2. To deal fairly and consistently with anyone who breaks the Code.

The Club is responsible for ensuring its members understand and appreciate what can happen if the Code is broken. That way, there should be no subsequent debate because individuals didn’t understand the consequences of breaking the Code.

Taking Sanctions
The Code identifies a range of sanctions which can be applied in the event of misconduct or poor behaviour. It’s important for the Club to be clear about what it expects from its members and to educate people when guidance is required. Should this guidance be disregarded then the Committee of the Club has the right to implement sanctions against offenders.

The captain takes responsibility
Often problems start at matches when individual players are abusive towards
the umpire. Only the captain can challenge decisions made by the umpire and the captain needs to manage his/her team to ensure this is always observed. However, this does not mean the umpire can only speak to the captain. The umpire remains free to talk to any player if this means he/she can manage the game better.

‘The captain takes responsibility’ means:
Only the captain can openly ask for clarification of an umpire’s decision.
This includes the period before, during and after a match.
If any other player challenges the umpire, asks questions or harasses the umpire about decisions made, they should first be given a public warning.
If a player, including the captain, openly harasses or challenges the umpire, they should be cautioned and shown a green card.
If a player, including the captain, continues to harass or question decisions made by the umpire, then a yellow card should be shown and the player sent from
the field of play.

NB. The team captain is clearly an important figure but is not immune to being dealt with as defined and described above.

A captain has no special status or privileges under the Laws of the Game, but does have a degree of responsibility for the behaviour of the Team.

The umpire’s role:
It is important to recognise that an essential skill in umpiring is having the ability to communicate effectively with players. The Code of Conduct is designed to support this skill, and to support the umpire’s key role in controlling a match.
As mentioned above, umpires should continue to talk to individual players as
necessary. However when harassment, abuse or challenging behaviour is
exhibited umpires are asked to use their powers, within the Laws of the Game to control that behavior.

NB – Umpires need to use common sense and recognise that players may on occasions make an appeal for a decision. However, it is important the umpire distinguish these from an act of dissent which should be punished with a caution.

Examples of unwanted behaviour:

The type of behaviour which often gives rise to problems in matches, and where captains and umpires need to work together, can be described as ‘harassment’ and ‘challenging’ behaviour’ towards the umpire.

Harrassment:
• Running towards the referee in an aggressive manner.
• Players surrounding the referee to protest a decision.
• Repeatedly asking questions about decisions in an attempt to influence the umpire or undermine his/her responsibilities.

Challenging:
• Passing comment to other players about an umpire’s decision-making.
• Repeatedly moaning at the umpire about decisions.
• Gestures that obviously are made in a derogatory manner, such as a shaking of the head or waving of the hand.

CODE OF CONDUCT FOR ADULT PLAYERS

All players have a responsibility to promote high standards of behaviour in the game.

Respect your umpire today and you may get one for every match this season.

Code of Conduct for players at all times.

On and off the field, I will:

• Adhere to the Laws of The Game
• Display and promote high standards of behaviour
• Promote Fair Play
• Always respect the umpires decisions
• Never engage in public criticism of the umpires
• Never engage in offensive, insulting or abusive language or behaviour
• Never engage in bullying, intimidation or harassment
• Always speak to my team-mates, the opposition and my coach/manager with respect
• Remember we all make mistakes
• Win or lose with dignity.
• Shake hands with the opposing team and the umpires at the end of every game.

I understand that if I do not follow the Code, any/all of the follow may be taken by the Club.

I may:

• Be required to apologise to team-mates, the other team and umpires
• Receive a written warning from the Club committee
• Be substituted
• Not be selected for the team
• Be fined
• Be required to leave the club.