Hutchinson Youth Lacrosse

CODE OF CONDUCT

This Code of Conduct will address the conduct of players, coaches, parents and administrators who participate in the Hutchinson Youth Lacrosse program.  Players, coaches, parents and administrators are required to exemplify sportsmanship, respect and honor.  They are expected to understand that any time they put on an Hutchinson  jersey or attend an HYLA  game as a coach, parent or representative of the program, their actions reflect not only on themselves but also their team, coaches, program, family, school and town. Please note, non conduct related issues that arise from coaching decisions, i.e. playing time, position etc.. and how they are addressed is separate from the Code of Conduct policy.  The non-conduct related grievance policy is described at the end of the document.

Hutchinson Youth Lacrosse abides by the US Lacrosse Youth Council Code of Conduct, as well as additional provisions, governing all coaches, players, officials and parents.  The purpose of the code is to ensure that all of those people associated with Hutchinson Youth Lacrosse treat each other, and those associated with opposing programs, with dignity and respect.

The Code of Conduct is a condition of membership for all players, parents, coaches and administrators.  All members who join Hutchinson Youth Lacrosse agree to abide by the Code of Conduct and to be subject to the consequences of violating the code.  Every registration for Hutchinson Youth Lacrosse includes an acceptance of the Code of Conduct. 

All enforcement decisions made by the officials of Hutchinson Youth Lacrosse are final and not subject to review. No refunds will be granted to those players dismissed from the club for violating the Code of Conduct.

I,  as a player, coach, parent or spectator, or administrator pledge to conduct myself in a manner that complies with the "Code of Conduct" at all times.  Accordingly, I pledge, in summary, to:

Demonstrate respect to players, coaches, and parents; officials; and spectators;

Uphold the essential elements of the USL Youth Council "Code of Conduct", which are HONESTY and INTEGRITY;

Demonstrate and Encourage good sportsmanship and the concepts of fair play;

Focus on fun and participation;

Know and abide by the Rules of Lacrosse, the established guidelines, and all eligibility requirements;

Understand that the safety and welfare of all concerned is the top priority;

Support the drug, alcohol, and tobacco free environment that is important for all youth sporting events;

Never use profanity at a youth event;

Criticize coaches, players, or game officials;

Contact physically, verbally or through any form of social or written media an opposing player, coach, or game official in a threatening manner.

PLAYER:

As a player in the Hutchinson Youth lacrosse program I pledge that I will be responsible for my words and actions while participating in practices, games, tournaments and associated events and shall conform to the specified code of conduct.

CONDUCT RELATED TO ORGANIZED EVENTS (Games, Practices, Clinics or any associated event)

I hereby agree that as a participant/player in the Hutchinson Youth Lacrosse program:

I will not engage in unsportsmanlike conduct with any coach, parent, player, participant, official or any other attendee.

I will not encourage any other person to engage in unsportsmanlike conduct with any coach, parent, player, participant, official or any other attendee.

I will not engage in any behavior which would endanger the health, safety, or well-being of any coach, parent, player, participant, official or any other attendee.

I will not encourage any other person to engage in any behavior which would endanger the health, safety, or well-being of any coach, parent, player, participant, official or any other attendee.

I will not use drugs or alcohol while at a sports event and will not attend, coach, officiate or participate in a youth sports event while under the influence of drugs or alcohol.

I will not encourage any other person to use drugs or alcohol at a youth sports event and will not encourage any other person to attend, coach, officiate or participate in a youth sports event while under the influence of drugs or alcohol.

I will not engage in the use of profanity.

I will not encourage any other person to engage in the use of profanity.

I will treat any coach, parent, player, participant, official or any other attendee with respect regardless of race, creed, color, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation or ability.

I will encourage others to treat any coach, parent, player, participant, official or any other attendee with respect regardless of race, creed, color, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation or ability.

I will not engage in verbal or physical threats or abuse aimed at any coach, parent, player, participant, official or any other attendee.

I will not encourage any other person to engage in verbal or physical threats or abuse aimed at any coach, parent, player, participant, official or any other attendee.

I will not initiate a fight or scuffle with any coach, parent, player, participant, official or any other attendee.

 I will not encourage any other person to initiate a fight or scuffle with any coach, parent, player, participant, official or any other attendee

PARENT:

As a parent of a player in the Hutchinson Youth lacrosse program I pledge that I will be responsible for my words and actions while attending practices, games, tournaments, associated events and any interaction with members of HYLA or opposing programs, and shall conform to the specified code of conduct.

CONDUCT RELATED TO ORGANIZED EVENTS (Games, Practices, Clinics or any associated event)

I will not engage in unsportsmanlike conduct with any coach, parent, player, participant, official or any other attendee.

I will not encourage any other person to engage in unsportsmanlike conduct with any coach, parent, player, participant, official or any other attendee.

I will not engage in any behavior which would endanger the health, safety, or well-being of any coach, parent, player, participant, official or any other attendee.

I will not encourage any other person to engage in any behavior which would endanger the health, safety, or well-being of any coach, parent, player, participant, official or any other attendee.

I will not use drugs or alcohol while at a sports event and will not attend, coach, officiate or participate in a youth sports event while under the influence of drugs or alcohol.

I will not encourage any other person to use drugs or alcohol at a youth sports event and will not encourage any other person to attend, coach, officiate or participate in a youth sports event while under the influence of drugs or alcohol.

I will not engage in the use of profanity.

I will not encourage any other person to engage in the use of profanity.

I will treat any coach, parent, player, participant, official or any other attendee with respect regardless of race, creed, color, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation or ability.

I will encourage others to treat any coach, parent, player, participant, official or any other attendee with respect regardless of race, creed, color, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation or ability.

I will not engage in verbal or physical threats or abuse aimed at any coach, parent, player, participant, official or any other attendee.

I will not encourage any other person to engage in verbal or physical threats or abuse aimed at any coach, parent, player, participant, official or any other attendee.

I will not initiate a fight or scuffle with any coach, parent, player, participant, official or any other attendee.

I will not encourage any other person to initiate a fight or scuffle with any coach, parent, player, participant, official or any other attendee.

I understand that as a parent I need to set an example for players and parents of both HYLA and opposing programs for exemplary behavior.

COACH/ADMINISTRATOR:

I as a coach and/or administrator in the Hutchinson Youth Lacrosse program I pledge that I will be responsible for my words and actions while coaching and performing all other duties that may be associated with my role as a coach or administrator within HYLA, and shall conform my behavior to the specified code of conduct.

I. CONDUCT RELATED TO ORGANIZED EVENTS (Games, Practices, Clinics or any associated event)

I hereby agree that if I am volunteering as a COACH, ASSISTANT COACH and/ or ADMINISTRATOR:

I will not engage in unsportsmanlike conduct with any coach, parent, player, participant, official or any other attendee.

I will not encourage any other person to engage in unsportsmanlike conduct with any coach, parent, player, participant, official or any other attendee.

I will not engage in any behavior which would endanger the health, safety, or well-being of any coach, parent, player, participant, official or any other attendee.

I will not encourage any other person to engage in any behavior which would endanger the health, safety, or well-being of any coach, parent, player, participant, official or any other attendee.

I will not use drugs or alcohol while at a sports event and will not attend, coach, officiate or participate in a youth sports event while under the influence of drugs or alcohol.

I will not encourage any other person to use drugs or alcohol at a youth sports event and will not encourage any other person to attend, coach, officiate or participate in a youth sports event while under the influence of drugs or alcohol.

I will not engage in the use of profanity.

I will not encourage any other person to engage in the use of profanity.

I will treat any coach, parent, player, participant, official or any other attendee with respect regardless of race, creed, color, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation or ability.

I will encourage others to treat any coach, parent, player, participant, official or any other attendee with respect regardless of race, creed, color, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation or ability.

I will not engage in verbal or physical threats or abuse aimed at any coach, parent, player, participant, official or any other attendee.

I will not encourage any other person to engage in verbal or physical threats or abuse aimed at any coach, parent, player, participant, official or any other attendee.

I will not initiate a fight or scuffle with any coach, parent, player, participant, official or any other attendee.

 I will not encourage any other person to initiate a fight or scuffle with any coach, parent, player, participant, official or any other attendee.

I understand that as a coach and or administrator I need to set an example for players and parents for exemplary behavior.

II. CONDUCT RELATED TO INTERACTION WITH PLAYERS

I hereby agree that if I am volunteering as a COACH or ASSISTANT COACH,

I will avoid situations where I am alone with a child.

I will use positive reinforcement rather than criticism.

I will not smoke or use tobacco products in the presence of children.

I will cooperate fully in any investigation of abuse of children.

I will not strike, spank, or slap any children.

I will not touch a child in a sexual or otherwise inappropriate manner

III. CONDUCT RELATED TO CERTIFICATION AND ORGANIZATIONAL POLICY

I hereby state that if I am volunteering as a COACH or ASSISTANT COACH:

I will agree to a complete background check.

I will agree to meet all certification requirements set forth by federal and state law, Hutchinson Youth Lacrosse and/or the recreation departments of Hutchinson. Currently, the Rutgers Certificate, and valid, updated US Lacrosse membership is required for participation as a coach.  Currently, it is required that a Level 1 certification from US Lacrosse is obtained. 

I will agree to NOT schedule games, scrimmages, practices or any other organized lacrosse activities without the express consent of the HYLA Board of Trustees and the Hutchinson Youth Lacrosse Scheduling Committee.

I will agree to NOT act in any manner that is contradictory to the policies set forth by the Hutchinson Youth Lacrosse Board of Trustees,, or any other committee assigned to carry out the mission of Hutchinson Youth Lacrosse.

I will agree to bring any grievances I may have in accordance with the protocol set forth for the hearing of such grievances.

Agreement for all/ disciplinary action

I hereby agree that if I fail to conform my conduct to the foregoing while participating in or attending a Hutchinson Youth Lacrosse event or performing any duties or attending any event associated with Hutchinson Youth Lacrosse I will be subject to disciplinary action, including but not limited to the following in any order or combination:

Verbal warning issued by the HYLA Board of Trustees and/or any league, organization or school official who is authorized to issue such a warning by a school board or youth sports organization.

Written warning issued by HYLA Board of Trustees and/or any league, organization or school official who is authorized to issue such a warning by a school board or youth sports organization.

Suspension or immediate ejection from a youth sports event issued by the HYLA Board of Trustees and/or any league, organization or school official who is authorized to issue such a suspension by a school board or youth sports organization.

Suspension from multiple youth sports events issued by the HYLA Board of Trustees or any league, organization or school official who is authorized to issue such suspension by a school board or youth sports organization.

Season suspension or multiple season suspension issued by the HYLA Board of Trustees or any league, organization or school official who is authorized to issue such suspension.

There will be NO financial reimbursement for suspension or dismissal from the HYLA program.

NO COACH, PLAYER, PARENT OR ADMINISTRATOR WILL BE PERMITTED TO PARTICIPATE IN HUTCHINSON YOUTH LACROSSE WITHOUT AGREEING TO THIS CODE OF CONDUCT IN ITS ENTIRETY