The following Code of Conduct has been written to uphold the aims of Huddersfield Dragons Hockey Club and to help and protect all players, umpires and spectators involved in the playing of hockey regardless of whether it is in league games, friendly matches or training sessions. It should be read in conjunction with the rules of England Hockey, North and Yorkshire Hockey Leagues and the England Hockey Code of Discipline.

Each individual is accountable for his or her own actions. Whether you are playing, watching, coaching or umpiring any match, it is your personal responsibility to treat your own team, opposition players, coaches, spectators and the umpires with respect before, during and after the match.

There are additional responsibilities placed on individuals and these are detailed below:

INTERACTION WITH UMPIRES
It is important to recognise that a game of Hockey cannot take place without the presence of two umpires.

ABUSE OF AN UMPIRE WHETHER VERBAL OR PHYSICAL WILL NOT BE TOLERATED
Never argue with an umpire. If you have a query, ask your captain to approach the umpire at half time or after the game in a calm and courteous manner to get clarification. Do not pursue discussions in the changing rooms. Positive discussion between the players and the umpires is actively encouraged during the post match refreshment.

SUBSCRIPTIONS
Huddersfield Dragons Hockey Club is a club that is run by the membership for the benefit of the members. It is essential for the club to maintain a robust accounting system, which has at the core the subscriptions from members. It is beholden upon all forms of membership to pay the subscriptions in full or set up a direct debit by 31st October of each season.

PRE GAME
On match days please arrive at the place stipulated at the correct time, ring the team captain or coach if you think you are going to be late. Make sure you have mobile numbers to contact your team captain or other members of your team and let them know yours so you can be contacted.

Spectators and players waiting to use the pitch should congregate outside the fence or in the designated spectator area adjacent to the entrance gate. Only players of the game in progress should use the dugout areas on the far side of the pitch.

Spectators of the game should not give verbal or physical abuse to umpires or players of either team. Vocal support of your club is welcomed and encouraged but please keep language to a positive nature.

KIT
All players, when representing the Club on and off the pitch shall act and dress accordingly. Hockey is a social sport to be enjoyed by all so please use your common sense.

The club colours are Purple shirts with Burgundy trim, Black shorts and Purple socks with a change strip of White shirts, Black shorts and Purple socks. The club have a nominated supplier for all elements of the kit and players are expected to adhere to this. The club will always try and ensure that members receive best value when choosing kit suppliers.

DURING THE GAME
The Captain / Coach is responsible for the conduct of their team and spectators for the duration of the game. Do not put him under pressure by poor behaviour.

A team can consist of 16 players; hence rolling substitutions should be expected. Whilst off the pitch wear a different colour top from your playing strip. Only warm up on your side of the team/bench area, not in front of any opposition bench or that half of the pitch. Coaches / managers should stay in designated area close to the half way line and not cross over into the other half. Substituted players are expected to act with dignity, and to contribute to the team’s efforts by supporting their team-mates. If you need a rest to recover from injury or for any other reasons just ask to be substituted, it may help the team and your own performance.

During the Captain / Coach’s team talks have the courtesy to listen to what is being said. He only has a few minutes to put his points across, please do not interrupt or start rival conversations. Don’t criticize or remonstrate with your team-mates – every player has off days, it could be you next week, therefore encourage and support.

DISCIPLINE
This club wants to achieve an exemplary record, and it should go without saying that those who undermine our efforts in this area are risking their future with the club.

WE EXPECT UMPIRES TO BE TREATED WITH RESPECT BEFORE, DURING AND AFTER THE GAME.
If for any reason a player is sent off with a yellow card they should leave the pitch quickly and under control, so that the game can be restarted without undue delay. You are required to stay in the area designated by the umpire and sit quietly – take time to reflect on your actions, take your punishment and learn from it. Captains must record details of cards given in a game a report them to the committee.

The penalty for a red card will be at least the cost of the clubs administrative fees, as well the actions taken as detailed in the disciplinary procedures (see page 35 of YHA handbook) . The clubs disciplinary committee will review what additional action should be taken. Fines for yellow cards are set by each team captain, additional penalties may be considered by the clubs disciplinary committee if the number of yellow cards reaches three (two if they are for dissent, foul language or other unacceptable behaviour).

Abuse of any kind will not be tolerated by the club. Cases of abuse on the grounds of gender, disability, race and ethnicity, religion or beliefs and sexual orientation by any club member will be investigated by the clubs disciplinary committee. Unprovoked aggression, intimidation and verbal abuse are not acceptable at this club.

If any member feels that they have been abused in any of the above ways by another club member or a player or official from another club or organisation then they must contact a club captain or a member of the committee as soon as possible.

SPECTATORS
Parents, ex-players, friends and others are always welcome to attend matches. It is a requirement of the North Hockey League and the Yorkshire County Hockey Association that ALL spectators stay at the opposite side of the ground from the team area.

Show respect for your team’s opponents and the umpires, without them there would be no game. Respect the umpire’s decisions and positively support your own team and remember nobody makes a mistake on purpose positive encouraging comments can be motivational.

POST-GAME
Warm down and stay together as a team regardless of the result. It helps with any following matches if you do this off the playing area

Do not approach the umpires and opponents on the pitch immediately after the game in an aggressive or abusive manner.

At the end of the game always thank the umpires and shake hands with your opponents.

Weekly match fees should be paid by request of the team captain or nominees via the pitchero app. You will not be eligible for selection for the next match until all outstanding fees are paid.

Try to get back to the club or pub for refreshments and encourage the opposition to come back also. This is the best time to seek clarification with umpires as mentioned earlier. Try speaking to members of the other team; you make good friends that way.

TRAINING
Serious contenders for places in any team are expected to attend training regularly. We go to training to get fit, to develop team spirit and to practice set pieces. It follows that, if you are not training regularly, you can’t be as fit as you need to be and cannot be part of a team.

Regularly attend and work hard during training sessions “a player who fails to train is training to fail”. If you can’t attend training let your captain or coach know.

Formal training commences in July with the emphasis on pre-season fitness. As the season approaches the emphasis will be on speed, skills and set routines such as short corners, long corners and free hits. A coaching template will be produced which will form the basis of these sessions. The club will provide at the training sessions a first aid kit and water, players are however expected to come suitably prepared for the sessions.

A pre-season fitness schedule has been prepared and will be made available to all players. The responsibility for fitness is with the player, a player whose performance is clearly affected by a lack of fitness will be encouraged to improve it.

COMMUNICATION
If you do not attend training, ring your captain / coach to find out which team you are in at the weekend. It is far less hassle for many to make one phone call than for one to make many! Keep captains informed of your availability.

If you have a point to make to your captain, coach or a committee member, about team selection or other matters, that is your right, but please don’t rant at them in a crowded bar or on the touchline. Ring them or see them at training, or talk to them in the bar.

The aim is to ensure that all players are aware of who they are playing for as early in the week as possible. The intention is for the selections to be posted on the web site with the requirement of players to confirm availability to the captain.

GENERAL
If you think there’s a lot of responsibility spread around a small number of people, you’re right! If anyone would like to volunteer for any job within the club, your offer would be gratefully received.

Please make new members feel welcome.

And finally, people play hockey for a variety of reasons and have different views, aims and ambitions – please respect these. Enjoy yourself - that’s why we play. We want to win - but we also want to win fairly.

Huddersfield Dragons HC

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