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Conduct Management

Conduct Management – Overview

Kanata Minor Hockey (KMHA) is committed to providing a safe environment in which to play hockey. Whether at the competitive or recreational level, hockey is a sport that provides fun, exercise and an opportunity to grow as athletes and as members of the community. At times it can also be an emotional game for players, parents and coaches. KMHA is committed to ensuring that all members are treated with respect – whether player, parent, coach or member of the executive.

There are many rules that guide the behavior of those who participate in minor hockey. Rules apply to players, parents, coaches and other volunteers. When these rules are broken there must be a response. The response could be on the part of the coach, the association, the district, the branch etc.

Conduct Management holds the responsibility to ensure the KMHA Code of Conduct are adhered to and that sanctions levied against players, coaches, volunteers and parents are carried out appropriately.

While KMHA Conduct Management is responsible for the overall implementation of conduct management policies and procedures for KMHA, conduct management actually happens at various levels within the KMHA. Minor to moderate issues are typically dealt with at the team level or division level while others, due to their severity, must be escalated to KMHA Conduct Management for resolution.

Conduct Management – Policy

  • Responsibility for Conduct Management within KMHA rests with the Coordinator of Risk, Safety & Conduct Management.
  • The Coordinator may, upon decision of a Conduct Management Committee, impose sanctions on an KMHA member found to have violated the KMHA Code of Conduct.
  • No KMHA member may refuse to cooperate with a Conduct Management investigation. Refusal to cooperate will result in the immediate suspension of the member.
  • KMHA Conduct Management hearings will be chaired by the Coordinator, Risk, Safety & Conduct Management.

In the event the Coordinator is unable to convene a hearing the Coordinator may designate the President or one of the Vice Presidents to chair the hearing.

A Conduct Management Committee will be made up of at least 3 members in addition to the Coordinator.

Conduct Management – Issue Resolution Process

The Issue Resolution Process

Any member of KMHA may raise an issue when they feel the KMHA Code of Conduct has been violated. If the issue is in regards to a player, parent, coach or other team volunteer then follow this process:

Step 1 – Observe the 24 hour Rule. The 24 Hour Rule is simply explained as when problems arise it is a benefit for all concerned to wait for a day before you report a issue so as to not let the emotion of a situation to get in the way of the facts. The only time this rule may be bypassed is due to behavior that posses’ safety risk.

Step 2 – Try to deal with the issue at the level where it occurred. Speak to your team coach or manager regarding the issue to see if it can be resolved at that level. If the issue cannot be resolved the coach/manager or the parent can escalate the issue.

Step 3 – . Issue escalates to either the House League Director or the Competitive Director depending on the program where the issue was raised. The Director will attempt to bring resolution to the issue. If the complainant is not satisfied with the outcome then the issue will be escalated to KMHA Conduct Management.

Step 4 – The complaint must be made in writing using the Issue Resolution form. Completed forms should be sent to the Coordinator, Risk Safety & Conduct Management. The Coordinator will then contact the complainant for any necessary clarification and will determine if this issue requires a hearing. If he determines that an official hearing is necessary then a date and time for the hearing will be set, a committee consisting at least 3 members in addition to the Coordinator.

If the issue is in regards to any executive member including convenors then start the process at Step 4, except in the case that the issue involves the KMHA Risk Safety & Conduct Management Coordinator in which case it needs to be reported directly to the President.

The Coordinator, Risk Safety and Conduct Management is responsible to investigate all issues brought to him. Not every issue that is investigated will end with a disciplinary action, some cases will be found to be without merit, others may be resolved via mediation. The Coordinator is required to wait for a complaint to be made to call a player, parent, coach or volunteer in to speak to them.

What happens at a hearing?

If the hearing is based on a member complaint both the complainant and the person(s) against whom the complaint has been made will get the opportunity to share their version of events along with others who have pertinent information regarding the event. The committee may ask questions regarding the incident. The committee will then render a decision based on the information they have been presented. Both parties to the complaint will be informed of the decision of the committee.

This process is essentially the same regardless of the level of hearing being attended.

District Appeals

Any disciplinary action handed down by the KMHA Conduct Management Committee may be appealed to the District 11 Chairperson. The cost for this appeal is $250.00. An appeal to this level must be made in writing within 72 hours of the decision being rendered by the KMHA Conduct Management Committee.

ODMHA Discipline and Appeals

KMHA members may become involved with ODMHA D&A in two ways:

  • Appeal of a decision from District 11 – The cost for this is $250 and must be requested in writing within 72 hours of the decision being rendered by District 11.
  • Via a penalty assessed to the player/team official that requires a hearing with the ODMHA D&A committee before the player/official may return to playing/coaching. When a call has been made that requires a hearing the person against whom the call was made will be informed by the District 11 Chairperson that they are suspended pending a hearing with the ODMHA. They will then be contacted again with the hearing details. In the case of a player suspension, the parents will be contacted.

ODHA and Hockey Canada D&A

Appeals may also be made to these levels only after lower level appeals have been heard.

For more information please contact: