Mitchell Minor Hockey Association (MMHA) dedicates itself to the advancement of minor hockey for all individuals by ensuring meaningful opportunities and enjoyable experiences in a safe sportsmanlike environment.

 MMHA has adopted a "Code of Conduct" that all team officials, players, and parents/guardians are expected to follow. The purpose of this "Code of Conduct" is to maintain a fun, pleasurable experience for all who attend any function related to MMHA. A violation of the “Code of Conduct” may lead to disciplinary action against the team official, player or parent/guardian; thus it is recommended that you familiarize yourself with the “Code of Conduct” and the possible disciplinary action as detailed in this handbook.

The MMHA “Code of Conduct” places an emphasis on respect: Respect the game; Respect the rules; Respect the opponents; Respect the Coaches, Officials, Parents, Executives, Players, Arena Staff, Volunteers and their decisions; Respect the facility; Maintain self-control at all times.

 The following are guidelines that are expected to be followed: 

 

PLAYER CODE OF CONDUCT 

I will:

• Respect and adhere to the ideals, policies, and rules determined by Hockey Canada, Hockey Manitoba, MMHA and my team.

• Respect the rules of the game, opponents, officials, and their decisions.

• Maintain self control at all times.

• Attend as many games and practices as reasonably possible.

• Be present before games and practices in a timely manner.

• Notify the coach/manager ahead of time if I will be absent.

• Respect the facilities, either home or away, in which I’m privileged to play.

• Exhibit a high degree of sportsmanship, teamwork and positive attitude at all times when representing my team and the Association.

• Gain an understanding of the MMHA 24-hour rule to deal with team complaints (minor vs major) and adhere to it. (Please find the complaint section on the next page)

• Refrain from using foul language towards teammates, coaches, officials, or opponents.

• Show respect for the decisions, judgment and authority of the officials and timekeepers.

• Show respect for the feelings and abilities of the players on the other team.

• Accept the capabilities of other players.

• Refrain from taking photos in dressing rooms.

• Accept defeat gracefully…love the game above the prize.
   

PARENT CODE OF CONDUCT  

I will:

• Support my child with positive encouragement.

• Respect and adhere to the ideals, policies, and rules determined by Hockey Canada, Hockey Manitoba, MMHA and my child’s team.

• Ensure one parent/ guardian has completed the Respect in Sport online program

• Maintain self control at all times.

• Encourage my child to attend as many games and practices as reasonably possible in a timely manner. Notify the coach/manager ahead of time of absences.

• Respect the facilities, either home or away, in which my child is privileged to play.

• Show respect for the decisions, judgment and authority of the officials and timekeepers.

• Show respect for the feelings and accept the capabilities of my child, my child’s teammates, and players on the other team.

• Exhibit a high degree of sportsmanship, teamwork and positive attitude at all times when representing my child and the Association.

• Avoid confusing my child by coaching from the stands.

• Gain an understanding of the MMHA 24-hour rule to deal with team complaints (minor vs major) and adhere to it. (Please find the complaint section on the next page)

• Refrain from expressing my opinion of the coaches or players in front of my own child.

• Refrain from using foul language towards other parents, coaches, officials, or opponents.

• Refrain from yelling at or threatening referees, opposing players or coaches before, during, or after games or practices.

• Refrain from demonstrating frustration or anger after a loss or poor performance.

• Not physically abuse any other person.

• Refrain from approaching the bench during a game situation unless summoned by a coach.

• Refrain from taking photos in dressing rooms.

• Accept defeat gracefully…love the game above the prize. 
   

TEAM OFFICIAL CODE OF CONDUCT 

I will:

• Respect and adhere to the ideals, policies, and rules determined by Hockey Canada, Hockey Manitoba, MMHA and my team.

• Act as a leader of my team and act in a highly professional manner at all hockey related activities.

• Be responsible for my behavior and the behavior of my team.

• Respect the rules of the game, opponents, officials, and their decisions.

• Maintain self control at all times.

• Show respect to the players and parents of my team.

• Respect the facilities, either home or away, in which my team plays.

• Exhibit a high degree of sportsmanship, teamwork, and positive attitude at all times when representing my team and the Association.

• Refrain from using foul language towards my players, other coaches, officials, or opponents.

• Show respect for the decisions, judgment and authority of the officials and timekeepers.

• Show respect for the feelings and abilities of the players on the other team.

• Accept the capabilities of all players.

• Refrain from taking photos in dressing rooms.

• Accept defeat gracefully…love the game above the prize.

At the end of the day, this is a game. The greatest game on earth, the fastest game on earth, but still just a game.

 
 

Repercussions for Breaking the Code of Conduct

It is important for all officials to understand that there are potential serious consequences for themselves, the players and/or the Association for violating the rules, regulations and/or policies of MMHA and/or its governing bodies (Hockey Manitoba, Hockey Canada).

 

Any abuse from players, parents or coaches will not be tolerated.  The violation of any rules, regulations, or policies of MMHA and/or its governing bodies may lead to disciplinary action by MMHA and/or its governing bodies.

 

It is the responsibility of the Officials to familiarize themselves with the rules and regulations as well as taking the appropriate clinics prior to December 1 for the season.

 

If a player, who is also an official, is suspended from their team as a player, they are sustained from officiating during the duration of the suspension. 

 

In addition to the inappropriate behavior outlined in the Code of Conduct, the following are specific examples that may lead to disciplinary action:

• Acting in an unsportsmanlike manner during any game or practice.

• Abusing or damaging arena property or equipment. This may result in an immediate suspension of the team or player involved until the responsibility of the cost of the incurred damage is determined and/or resolved to the satisfaction of the Executive.

• Any player, team official, or parent who is impaired by or who is found using drugs or alcohol at any MMHA game, practice, or event.

• Swearing in dressing rooms, hallways, player benches, penalty box or on the ice.

• Smoking, chewing tobacco or vaping in the players’ box or dressing rooms before, during or after a game.

• The use of cameras in the dressing room.

• Inappropriate social media content in reference to another parent, player, coach, team, or official.

• Fighting anywhere in or around the arena before, during or after a game.

• Approaching a referee before, during or after a game by any individual other than the Referee-In-Chief.

With respect to the disciplinary guidelines provided below, it is important to note that these are only guidelines and that the action taken by the Association (e.g. disciplinary action) may be different than suggested based on the circumstances of the event – for example, a gross misconduct penalty, if warranted under the circumstances, may result in a suspension greater than the maximum of three games.
 

 PLAYER DISCIPLINE

1. The following must be followed to promote good sportsmanship, a positive team environment, and a positive image of MMHA:
    

2. Each season, all players must sign a MMHA „Team Officials Code of Conduct‟ agreement as directed by the board – failure to do so will result in the player being unable to play a game until signed.

• Minor Transgressions by Players - Team officials are responsible for dealing with situations such as disrespectful conduct to coaches, officials, or other players, refusing to participate, repeatedly being absent for games or practices without a legitimate excuse, lateness, making a mess in a dressing room, or other minor transgressions.

First Offense – Coach’s discretion with a first warning

Second Offense – sit up to a period.

Third Offense – sit up to a game.

• Major Transgressions By Players - Team officials must consult with the Grievance Director on the appropriate disciplinary action to be used for the following types of conduct: fighting before or after a game off the ice (e.g. lobby or parking lot of an arena), insubordination, harassment and other major incidences. If the situation merits an investigation or discipline hearing, the Division Director must advise the President of the matter, who at his/her discretion, will provide direction and/or initiate the necessary action (e.g. refer the matter to the Discipline Committee).

First Offense - minimum one game/maximum three game suspension.

Second Offense - minimum three game/maximum five game suspension.

Third Offense - minimum five game/maximum season suspension.

 

·       Serious Transgressions By Players - A team official must notify the Grievance Director and President, or in his/her absence the 1st or 2nd Vice- President, within 24 hours of any of the following types of conduct by a player in relation to any Association event (e.g. game, practice, tournament attended at by the team, etc.): use of drugs and/or alcohol, theft, vandalism and/or damage done to any property, and other serious and/or illegal transgressions (e.g. player arrested by police for fighting after a game). The President, or in his/her absence the 1st or 2nd Vice-President, must provide direction and/or initiate the appropriate action (e.g. suspend the player and refer the matter to the Discipline Committee).

First Offense – 5-7 games

Second Offense – suspension for the remainder of the season

1. It is important that the team officials, the Grievance Director, and/or the President (depending on the circumstances) involve the parent(s) of the child in the disciplinary process. In particular relating to minor and major transgressions, the parent(s) should be involved in the process (e.g. consulted) as the parent(s) may be able to assist in resolving the issue prior to it becoming a larger problem.
    

 PARENT DISCIPLINE

1. Parents play an important role in promoting a positive environment for all participants in hockey; thus MMHA will not tolerate poor conduct by the parents of the Association.
    

2. Each season, all parents must sign a MMHA „Team Officials Code of Conduct‟ agreement as directed by the board – failure to do so will result in the player being unable to play a game until signed.
    

3. Parents are responsible for their own conduct and the conduct of their children (as spectators) at all Association related events (e.g. games, practices, tournaments attended by the team). Parents and their children (spectators) must not exhibit any disorderly, abusive, harassing, or disrespectful conduct before, during or after any Association related event.
    

4. Parents and/or spectators may be ejected from a game by an on-ice official or for any behavior deemed inappropriate by an on-ice official. Parents and spectators ejected from a game by an on-ice official are expected to immediately and without further incident depart from the area as directed by the on-ice official. Failure to leave within two minutes of being ejected from the game results in immediate 3rd offense.
    

5. If a parent or a child of the parent (spectator) is ejected from a game, a team official (the manager) must notify the President, or in his/her absence the 1st or 2nd Vice-President, within 24 hours of such an occurrence. The President may, at his/her discretion, initiate action to investigate the matter and take the appropriate disciplinary action (e.g. refer the matter to the Grievance Director).
    

6. The following is the suggested action and discipline for a parent who displays any of the above-noted behaviors or is ejected from a game:

 

First Offense- Warning letter from the President.

Second Offense- Attend an MMHA Discipline Committee hearing and prohibited from attending any game for a minimum of one game/maximum of one month.

Third Offense- Attend an MMHA Discipline Committee hearing and prohibited from attending any game for a minimum of one month/maximum of one (1) year.
 

      7.   All offenses will be erased from the parent’s record after one calendar year at
            the request of the individual.
 

 TEAM OFFICIALS DISCIPLINE

1. Team officials, as representatives of MMHA and the leaders of their teams, are required to act in a highly professional manner before, during and after all hockey related activities (e.g. games, practices, tournaments etc.).

2. Each season, all team officials must sign a MMHA „Team Officials Code of Conduct‟ agreement as directed by the board – failure to do so will result in the team official being removed from their role on the team.

3. Team officials are responsible for both their own behavior and the behavior of their team. All team officials must behave in a professional manner at all times before, during, and after Association events and abide by the code of conduct. Additionally, team officials are responsible for supervising and controlling the conduct of their team before, during and after each event (e.g. vandalism to a dressing room, a brawl during a game, fighting in a lobby or parking lot, etc.). One team official must always be within earshot of the dressing room when occupied by any player(s). Team officials who breach the terms of the MMHA "Team Officials Code of Conduct" agreement or fail to behave professionally and/or to control the conduct of their players may be reprimanded as follows:

First Offense- Attend an MMHA Discipline Committee hearing and suspended for a minimum one game/maximum three games.

Second Offense- Attend an MMHA Discipline Committee hearing and suspended for a minimum of three games/maximum seven games.

Third Offense- Attend an MMHA Discipline Committee hearing and suspended for a minimum seven games/maximum the remainder of the season.

 

 Complaints                 

1. MMHA recognizes and understands that, throughout the hockey season, there may be minor issues that arise on teams that may lead to complaints (e.g. a parent to a coach in relation to the amount of ice time received by their child, a coach to a parent about the parent’s inappropriate behaviour, etc.). The following are guidelines to deal with minor team related complaints:

2. Initially, all complaints must be dealt with between the parties (e.g. a coach and a parent) in an effort to resolve the complaint.

3. Neither party may approach the other about the issue for twenty-four (24) hours; however, the issue may be brought to the attention of the team manager within this timeframe for his/her information.

4. MMHA recognizes and understands that, throughout the hockey season, there may be issues that arise on teams that may lead to major complaints (e.g. a coach is not promoting a positive environment by repeatedly swearing at players or game officials, a significant lack of discipline on the team, a parent repeatedly using abusive language towards referees, etc.). You may submit your written complaint to the Grievance Director immediately.

5. If one party wishes to discuss the issue with the other party after twenty-four (24) hours, this must be arranged through the team manager and the team manager must participate in the discussion as a neutral facilitator and observer.

6. If, after the above-noted discussion the issue is not resolved, the party making the complaint may submit the complaint in writing to the Grievance Director. The Grievance Director must deal with the complaint and attempt to resolve the issue. The President and/or Vice President will be notified if the Grievance Director deems necessary.

7. If the Grievance Director cannot resolve the issue to the satisfaction of the party making the complaint, then the person making the complaint may submit the complaint in writing to the President. The President must initiate action in an attempt to resolve the complaint. The President’s decision regarding how to resolve the complaint will be final and no appeal of the decision will be allowed.

NOTE: If the team manager is one of the parties involved in the complaint, then the head coach should act as the neutral facilitator and observer.