<p> BASINGSTOKE HOCKEY CLUB – CODE OF CONDUCT & DISCIPLINARY PROCEDURES 2015/2016 Basingstoke Hockey Club (“BHC”) seeks t o take pride in its history of sportsmanship and fair play. When you become a member of the club, you become part of the BHC culture and are expected to represent the club appropriately and in the spirit of the game. It was decided at the 2013/14 AGM that BHC members should have clarity in terms of what is expected of them whilst members of BHC. In addition, it was clear that, as a club, we may have failed in the past to consistently and properly approach disciplinary matters. The England Hockey Code & BHC England Hockey, through Regional and County Administrators now oversee an established disciplinary procedure in conjunction with a Discipline Officer at each club (“CDO”). The current CDO for BHC is Nick Wood ([email protected] / 07968015500). This code essentially only covers red cards and MMO offences (a “matchday misconduct offence”) that are reported by umpires on match days. There are set procedures to follow (and sanctions to apply) when this happens (see further below). The MMO and Red/Yellow Card EHB Code is freely available online (via the England Hockey website). BHC adheres to this code. What is vital to ensure that we consistently, fully and appropriately apply this code to all members of BHC is that any red card or other matchday misconduct offence (“MMO”) (or any other serious breach of this code) is reported immediately to the CDO and/or to the Chairman (and/or relevant playing section captain). In the case of a red card or MMO, this must be within 24 hours of the card being awarded. This is the primary responsibility of the relevant team captain. The BHC Code BHC for its part will commit to helping you work towards the attainment of your full potential in Hockey. In order to maintain a positive training environment, but still working towards a n y p e r s o n a l targets, it is important that both players and coaches have a clear understanding of what is expected of them. Attached to this document (at Annexure 1) are some excerpts from the EHB generic code of conduct. BHC subscribes to these guidelines and expects all members of BHC to do so. Set out below are a number of guidelines and parameters that will help us as a club to achieve this. This BHC Code is deemed to be in force at any time that BHC is being represented by any player, coach, manager or non-paying member at any match, tournament, tour or training session: WHAT YOU SHOULD EXPECT FROM BHC & ITS COACHES:  An environment conducive to the development of Individual and team performance;  Access to training I coaching I facilities appropriate for your level of competition;  An effort by the coaching staff to incorporate specific team and individual sessions where possible;  A commitment from coaches to explore further ways to enhance t e am a n d i n d i v i d u a l performance, within the rules of hockey.</p><p>1 WHAT WE EXPECT FROM YOU:  Commitment to furthering myself as a player by exhibiting the most professional attitude to training and competition at all times;  Keep to agreed timings for training and competitions and inform Coaches, captain or managers if I am going to be late to training by phone;  Appreciate other players’ rights to respect and individuality;  Train and compete within the rules and respect coaches, officials and umpires decisions;  Commit to training and competing drug / alcohol-free ;  Wear suitable kit for training and competition (appropriate club / team kit when travelling, at other functions or occasions as notified by captain/manager/coach;  Not to use foul or abusive language at any time for any reason;  Not to tolerate or be involved in discrimination of any kind;  Complete any relevant forms I paperwork as required by stated deadlines;  To pay annual subscriptions and match day fees when required;  Wherever possible to socialize with opposition teams, umpires and own team after games and to ensure that visiting teams are shown hospitality at Down Grange that we would be proud of as a club;  To be at sessions in good time, and dressed appropriately: o Training: on pitch 15 minutes before start-time o Home Matches: To be agreed by captain / coach / mangers o Away Matches: To be agreed by captain / coach / mangers  If you are not at a session in good time or with the correct equipment the coach has the right to exclude you from that session.</p><p>2 Sanctions & Compliance Disciplinary Panel In order to ensure compliance with both the England Hockey code (dealing with red cards and MMO offences) and the new BHC wider Code, BHC has set up a Disciplinary Panel comprising three playing members of BHC, and this is chaired by the BHC CDO/Discipline Officer. He or she also provides the club’s interface with the Disciplinary Administrator for the Hampshire Hockey Association. The BHC Chairman will select two other players (and/or committee members) to sit with the CDO/Discipline Officer on the Disciplinary Panel, giving due regard to the need to provide a balance of age, playing experience and background. The following now applies to BHC: Yellow cards Within three days of any match, BHC Captains are required to report ALL awards of yellow cards given to any members of their teams and the reason(s) for them, together with details of any major disciplinary issue(s) to the Mens/Ladies Section Captains. BHC Captains are also required to report all Green Cards issued to U16 players taking part in adult hockey. The Panel will examine the player(s) record and consider an appropriate sanction, this being a suspension or any other sanction the panel deems appropriate. In reaching its decision, the Panel will also consider all relevant circumstances and take into account any suspension served within the previous 18 months. Any player bringing the Club into disrepute may be subject to disciplinary action by the Club Disciplinary Committee. As a guideline, any player receiving 3 or more yellow cards in half a season will be expected to attend a disciplinary meeting and may be subject to further action.</p><p>Any and all other discipline issues brought to the attention of the Panel relating to yellow cards or any other discipline or conduct matter (save for red cards and MMOs – see below) will be dealt with by the Panel as the Panel sees fit in its absolute discretion. A discipline hearing may be requested by either the player(s) or the Panel in relation to any such issue. Red Cards and Match Day Misconduct Offences (MMO) The way in which the Panel deals with red cards and MMO’s is set down by the England Hockey code and is largely compulsory and mandatory, as set out in that code. The Disciplinary Panel will immediately investigate any award of a red card or MMO and automatically suspend the player for a minimum period of 30 days unless having regard to all the circumstances and the England Hockey Code, the panel decide otherwise. Within this period, the player concerned (with a representative of his choosing) will appear at a closed hearing convened by the Panel. In reaching a final decision on the total length of suspension to be imposed, the Panel will follow regulations regarding the overall minimum tariff set by England Hockey in relation to the type of offence committed. It will also liaise closely with the Hampshire County Disciplinary Administrator. Umpiring We of course recognise as a club that players may feel that umpiring decisions may have been wrongly made during a game and/or that an umpire may have inconsistently or wrongly applied or interpreted the rules of the game of hockey. </p><p>3 What we must not do in those circumstances is address, direct, publicise or air any such views into or through the wrong channels. This includes through the medium of any match reports wherever these may be published. We have an umpire liaison officer (currently Max Shearing ([email protected]). As a club, we have resolved that there should be a channel for us to address umpiring issues so that the relevant league, the county and/or the club involved can be (appropriately) made aware of these issues and have them addressed. This applies whether the umpire was league appointed/registered or otherwise. Accordingly, if there should be any such issue during any game involving BHC at any level, all players and coaches/managers are required to bring the matter to the attention of the umpire liaison officer as soon as practicable and further direction will be given to resolving the matter on a case by case basis. Players are reminded that if (and only if) an umpire is prepared to do so following a polite enquiry, it may in certain circumstances be acceptable to politely and respectfully discuss an incident that occurred during a game with the umpire after the game. Other Disciplinary Issues The Disciplinary Panel will also deal with any reported instances of un-gentlemanly conduct off the pitch, or other behaviour by BHC members, which is detrimental to the reputation of BHC. BHC Members are reminded that the relevant team captain has full responsibility for his team's behaviour before, during and after matches. They should therefore respect the captain's authority and his reasonable requests. Captains are required to report gross breaches of their authority for investigation by the Disciplinary Panel including the conduct of coaches, managers and spectators. This may lead to suspension of the member concerned. </p><p>4 Annexure 1 - Background – THE EHB GENERIC CODE OF BEHAVIOUR/CONDUCT </p><p>Expected minimum standards of behaviour and conduct </p><p>All individuals involved in hockey will, at all times: </p><p> Respect the spirit of fair play in hockey. This is more than playing within the rules. It also incorporates the concepts of friendship, respect for others and always participating with the right spirit. </p><p> Respect the rights, dignity and worth of others. </p><p> Respect umpires, officials, coaches, players and spectators. </p><p> Show patience and understanding towards those who may be learning the game. </p><p> Never publicly express any criticism of umpires or officials such as match officials and technical officers. </p><p> Conduct themselves in a manner that takes all reasonable measures to protect their own safety and the safety of others.</p><p> Never participate in hockey related activity when under the influence of alcohol or drugs.</p><p> Promote the reputation of the sport and take all possible steps to prevent it from being brought into disrepute. </p><p> Accept success and failure, victory and defeat, with dignity.</p><p> Set a positive example for others, particularly young participants and spectators.• Protect themselves and others involved in the game from verbal or physical abuse and threatening or intimidating behaviour. </p><p> Never use foul, sexist, abusive, racist or any prejudicial language or tolerate it from players and/or team officials. </p><p>I am aware that I am an ambassador for my sport, and for Basingstoke Hockey Club, and I take full responsibility for my actions. I have read this code of conduct, understand the guidelines set out above, and agree to comply.</p><p>Signed (Player)</p><p>Date:</p><p>5</p>