Code of Conduct

At Western Districts Hockey Club (WDHC) we take great pride in the behaviour of our members and the standards of sportsmanship displayed. To assist all those involved in our Club and in respect of our sport, WDHC has adopted Codes of Behaviour as a minimum standard. By registering yourself or your child, or volunteering with the club, you have agreed to abide by these codes.

Player Code of Behaviour

• Play the rules.
• Never argue with the umpire. If you disagree, have your captain, coach or manager approach the umpire during or after the competition.
• Control your temper. Verbal abuses of umpires, sledging other players or deliberately distracting or provoking an opponent are not acceptable or permitted behaviours in any sport.
• Work equally hard for yourself and/or your team. Your team’s performance will benefit and so will you.
• Be a good sport. Applaud all good plays whether they are made by your team or the opposition.
• Treat all participants in your sport as you like to be treated. Do not bully or take unfair advantage of another competitor.
• Cooperate with your coach, team-mates and opponents. Without them, there would be no competition.
• Participate for your own enjoyment and benefit.
• Respect the rights, dignity and worth of all participants regardless of their gender, ability, cultural background or religion.
• Ensure you thank the umpires and players at the end of every game.

Parent / Guardian Code of Behaviour

• Remember that children participate in sport for their enjoyment, not yours.
• Encourage children to participate, do not force them.
• Focus on your child’s efforts and performance rather than whether they win or lose.
• Encourage children to play according to the rules and to settle disagreements without resorting to hostility or violence.
• Never ridicule or yell at a child for making a mistake or losing a competition.
• Remember that children learn best by example. Appreciate good performance and skilful plays by all participants.
• Support all efforts to remove verbal and physical abuse from sporting activities.
• Respect umpires decisions and teach children to do likewise.
• Show appreciation of volunteer coaches, umpires and administrators. Without them, your child could not participate.
• Respect the right, dignity and worth of every young person regardless of their gender, ability, cultural background or religion.    

Spectator Code of Behaviour

• Remember that people participate in sport for their enjoyment and benefit, not yours.
• Applaud good performance and efforts from all individuals and teams.
• Congratulate all participates on their performance, regardless of the game’s outcome.
• Positive comments are motivational.
• Condemn the use of violence in any form, whether it is by spectators, coaches, umpires or players.
• Show respect of your teams opponents. Without them, there would be no game.
• Encourage players to follow the rules and the umpires decision.
• Do not use foul language, sledge or harass players, coaches or umpires.
• Respect the rights, dignity and worth of every young person regardless of their gender, ability, cultural background or religion.    

Coach / Manager Code of Behaviour

Safety and Health participants

• Place the safety and welfare of the participants above all else.

Coaching excellence

• Help each person (athlete, umpire, etc) to reach their potential. Respect the talent, developmental stage and goals for each persona and encourage them with positive and constructive feedback.
• Treat each participant as an individual.
• Encourage and support opportunities for people to learn appropriate behaviours and skills.

Honour the sport

• Act within the rules and spirit of your sport.
• Promote fair play over winning at any cost.
• Respect the decisions of umpires, coaches and administrators.
• Show respect and courtesy to all involved with the sport.
• Display responsible behaviour in relation to alcohol and other drugs.

Integrity

• Act with integrity and objectivity, and accept responsibility for your decisions and actions.
• Ensure your decisions and actions contribute to a harassment-free environment.
• Ensure that any physical contact with another person is appropriate to the situation and necessary for the person’s skill development.
• Be honest.

Respect

• Respect the rights, dignity and worth of every young person regardless of their gender, ability, cultural background or religion.
• Do not tolerate abusive, bullying or threatening behaviour.    

Umpire Code of Behaviour

• Compliment and encourage all participants.
• Be consistent, objective and courteous when making decisions.
• Condemn unsporting behaviour and promote respect for all opponents.
• Emphasise the spirit of the game rather than the errors.
• Encourage and promote rule changes that will make participation more enjoyable.
• Be a good sport yourself. Actions speak louder than words.
• Remember, you set an example. Your behaviour and comments should be positive and supportive.    

Administrator Code of Behaviour

• Ensure that rules, equipment, length of games and training schedules are modified to suit the age and ability.
• Help coaches and umpires highlight appropriate behaviour and skill development; help improve the standards of coaching and officiating.
• Give a code of behaviour sheet to spectators, umpires, parents, coaches and players and encourage them to follow it.
• Make it clear that abusing people in any way is unacceptable and will result in disciplinary action.
• Respect the rights, dignity and worth of every young person regardless of their gender, ability, cultural background or religion.    

Breaches of the Code

• Penalties will be issued once the breach has been confirmed through an appropriate assessment.

The following behaviours are considered breaches of the Code:

• Vilification of any kind towards another person.
• Discrimination against another person based on their age, gender or sexual orientation.
• Discrimination against another person based on their race, culture, religion or any other irrelevant personal characteristic.
• Sexual harassment or intimidation of another person.
• Victimisation of another person for exercising their rights through the Code of Conduct.
• Failure to maintain a safe environment.