1. Purpose

The purpose of this document is to govern Gauteng Ice Hockey Association (GIHA) and the Gauteng Hockey League (GHL).

2. TargetAudience

• Coaches
• TeamManagers
• ClubOwners/Administrators
• Players
• Parents

3. Guidelines

CODE OF ETHICS AND CONDUCT

The following ethical principles relate to the conduct and actions of all officers and individuals associatedwiththeGautengIceHockeyLeague,anditsmembers,includingitson and off-iceofficials.Itshall betheresponsibilityoftheDirectorofeachMembertoenforcetheseethicalprinciples.Allviolations of these ethical principles shall be dealt with in a manner prescribed byGIHA.

AllindividualsassociatedwiththeGautengIceHockeyLeague,oritsmembersshalldeportthemselves withhonestyandsportsmanshipatalltimes,sothatthesportoficehockey,theirteamsandmembers, and they, as individuals, shall represent the honour and dignity of fair play and the generally recognized high standards associated with wholesome competitivesports.

All officers and individuals associated with the Gauteng Ice Hockey League, and its members should remember that the purpose of the League as stated in its by-laws, code of ethics and separate rules and regulations revolves around youngsters, and no action shall be permitted that shall have an injurious effect of a physical, mental or emotional nature on the youngsters participating in the program.

All individuals associated with the Gauteng Ice Hockey League, including its members, shall not, directly or by implication, use the corporation’s name or their affiliation with the Gauteng Ice Hockey League, in the endorsement of products or services, unless permission is granted by said Hockey league in writing.

Competition by members in pre-season and post-season contests, and in contests and tournaments which are not sponsored, promoted, managed or controlled by the Gauteng Ice Hockey League, shall conform to the provisions of the by-laws, code of ethics and separate rules and regulations of the Gauteng Ice Hockey League.

All officers and individuals associated with the Gauteng Ice Hockey League, and its members shall respect the integrity and role of each of the other members and shall not perform any activity that would demean or be injurious to another member, thereby weakening the entire League.

All items pertaining to the Gauteng Ice Hockey League, structure, budget, player registration, scheduling, eligibility, team rosters, equipment, playing rules, exhibition games, playoffs, tournaments,supervisionandcoaching,andanyotheritemspertainingtotheLeague’soperationshall conform to the provisions of the by-laws, code of ethics and separate rules and regulations, and shall be affected by all individuals and officers associating with the Gauteng Ice Hockey League, and its members in a manner reflecting adherence to all ethicalprinciples.

CODES OF CONDUCT

There is an applicable Code of Conduct for:

• Parents
• Players
• Spectators
• Coaches
• On-IceOfficials
• Administrators/ClubOwners

PARENTS CODE OF CONDUCT

1. Do not force your children to participate in sports but support their desires to play their chosen sport. Children are involved in organized sports for their enjoyment. Make itfun.
2. Encourage your child to play by the rules. Remember, children learn best by example, so applaud the good plays of bothteams.
3. Do not embarrass your child by yelling at players, coaches or officials. By showing a positive attitude toward the game and all of its participants, your child willbenefit.
4. Emphasize skill development and practices and how they benefit your young athlete. De- emphasize games and competition in the lower agegroups.
5. Know and study the rules of the game and support the officials on and off the ice. This approach willhelpinthedevelopmentandsupportofthegame.Anycriticismoftheofficialsonlyhurtsthe game.
6. Applaud a good effort in both victory and defeat and enforce the positive points of the game. Never yell or physically abuse your child after a game or practice - it is destructive. Work toward removing the physical and verbal abuse in youthsports.
7. Recognize the importance of volunteer coaches. They are important to the development of your child and the sport. Communicate with them and supportthem.
8. If you enjoy the game, learn all you can about hockey - andvolunteer.
9. Noparentsareallowedatplayerbenchesortointerferewithanyofftheplayersduringgames
10. Do not approach players in the penaltyboxes.
11. Donotleanoverorpoundontheglass;theglasssurroundingtheicesurfaceispartoftheplaying area.
12. Do not lean on or over barriers, the barrier surrounding the ice surface is part of the playingarea.
13. Refrain from using Social Media to raise issues against players/officials and volunteers, etc. There are processes available in GIHA for escalation of issues and grievances and these should ratherbefollowed. GIHAreservestherighttoaskindividualtoremoveanycommentspostedon social media which will influence the sport negatively. Failure to do so might result in further action from theassociation.

PLAYERS CODE OF CONDUCT

1. Play for FUN.
2. Work hard to improve yourskills.
3. Be a team player - get along with yourteammates.
4. Learn teamwork, sportsmanship anddiscipline.
5. Be on time for practices andgames.
6. Learn the rules and play by them. Always be a goodsport.
7. Respect your coach, your teammates, your parents, opponents and officials.
8. Never argue with an official'sdecision.
9. Refrain from using Social Media to raise issues against players/officials and volunteers, etc. There are processes available in GIHA for escalation of issues and grievances and these should ratherbefollowed. GIHAreservestherighttoaskindividual toremoveanycommentspostedon social media which will influence the sport negatively. Failure to do so might result in further action from theassociation.

SPECTATORS CODE OF CONDUCT

1. Display good sportsmanship. Always respect players, coaches andofficials.
2. Act appropriately; do not taunt or disturb other fans; enjoy the gametogether.
3. Cheer good plays of all participants; avoid booingopponents.
4. Cheerinapositivemannerandencouragefairplay;profanityandobjectionablecheersorgestures areoffensive.
5. Help provide a safe and fun environment; throwing any items on the ice surface can cause injury to players andofficials.
6. Donotleanoverorpoundontheglass;theglasssurroundingtheicesurfaceispartoftheplaying area.
7. Do not lean on or over barriers, the barrier surrounding the ice surface is part of the playingarea.
8. No spectator or parent are allowed to interfere with players/officials or coaches duringgames.
9. Support the referees and coaches by trusting their judgment andintegrity.
10. Be responsible for your own safety - be alert, to prevent accidents from flying pucks and other avoidablesituations.
11. Respect locker rooms as private areas for players, coaches andofficials.
12. Be supportive after the game - win or lose. Recognize good effort, teamwork andsportsmanship.

COACHES CODE OF CONDUCT

1. Winning is a consideration, but not the only one, nor the most important one. Care more about the child than winning the game. Remember, players are involved in hockey for fun and enjoyment.
2. Be a positive role model to your players, display emotional maturity and be alert to the physical safety ofplayers.
3. Be generous with your praise when it is deserved; be consistent and honest; be fair and just; do not criticize players publicly; learn to be a more effective communicator and coach; don't yell at players.
4. Adjusttopersonal needsandproblemsofplayers;beagoodlistener;neververballyorphysically abuse a player or official; give all players the opportunity to improve their skills, gain confidence and develop self-esteem; teach them thebasics.
5. Organize practices that are fun and challenging for your players. Familiarize yourself with the rules, techniques and strategies of hockey; encourage all your players to be teamplayers.
6. Maintain an open line of communication with your players' parents. Explain the goals and objectives of yourassociation.
7. Be concerned with the overall development of your players. Stress good health habits and clean living.
8. Respect on and off ice officials, do not get into arguments with referees during games, or bad mouth officials at any time, during or after a game.
9. To play the game is great, to love the game isgreater.
10. Refrain from using Social Media to raise issues against players/officials and volunteers, etc. There are processes available in GIHA for escalation of issues and grievances and these should ratherbefollowed. GIHAreservestherighttoaskindividualtoremoveanycommentspostedon social media which will influence the sport negatively. Failure to do so might result in further action from theassociation.

ON-ICE OFFICIALS CODE OF CONDUCT

1. Act in a professional and business-like manner at all times and take your roleseriously.
2. Strivetoprovideasafeandsportsmanlikeenvironmentinwhichplayerscanproperlydisplaytheir hockeyskills.
3. Know all playing rules, their interpretations and their properapplication.
4. Remember that officials are teachers. Set a goodexample.
5. Make your calls with quiet confidence; never witharrogance.
6. Control games only to the extent that is necessary to provide a positive and safe experience for allparticipants.
7. Violence must never betolerated.
8. Be fair and impartial at alltimes.
9. Answer all reasonable questions andrequests.
10. Adopt a "zero tolerance" attitude toward verbal or physicalabuse.
11. Never use foul or vulgar language when speaking with a player, coach orparent.
12. Use honesty and integrity when answeringquestions.
13. Admit your mistakes when you makethem.
14. Never openly criticize a coach, player or otherofficial.
15. Keep your emotions undercontrol.
16. Use only IIHF Hockey-approved officiating techniques andpolicies.
17. Maintain your health through a physical conditioningprogram.
18. Dedicate yourself to personal improvement and maintenance of officiatingskills.
19. Respect your supervisor and his/her critique of yourperformance.
20. Refrain from using Social Media to raise issues against players/officials and volunteers, etc. There are processes available in GIHA for escalation of issues and grievances and these should ratherbefollowed. GIHAreservestherighttoaskindividualtoremoveanycommentspostedon social media which will influence the sport negatively. Failure to do so might result in further action from theassociation.

ADMINISTRATORS (CLUB OWNERS, EXCO MEMBERS, OFF ICE OFFICIALS) CODE OF CONDUCT

1. Follow the rules and regulations of SAIHA and GIHA to ensure that the association's philosophy and objectives areenhanced.
2. Support programs that train and educate players, coaches, parents, officials andvolunteers.
3. Promote and publicize your programs; seek out financial support whenpossible.
4. Communicate with parents by holding parent/player orientation meetings as well as by being available to answer questions and address problems throughout theseason.
5. Work to provide programs that encompass fairness to the participants and promote fair play and sportsmanship.
6. Recruitvolunteers,includingcoaches,whodemonstratequalitiesconducivetobeingrolemodels to the youth in oursport.
7. Encourage coaches and officials to attend Hockey clinics and advise your board members of the necessity for their trainingsessions.
8. Makeeverypossibleattempttoprovideeveryone,atall skill levels,withaplacetoplay.
9. Develop other administrators to advance to positions in yourassociation.
10. Respect players, coaches and officials during and after games, NO profanity or shouting on players, coaches or officials will be tolerated.
11. Refrain from using Social Media to raise issues against players/officials and volunteers, etc. There are processes available in GIHA for escalation of issues and grievances and these should ratherbefollowed. GIHAreservestherighttoaskindividualtoremoveanycommentspostedon social media which will influence the sport negatively. Failure to do so might result in further action from theassociation.