Code of Conduct

The following Code of Conduct has been written to uphold the aims of Sheffield Hallam 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, the Rules of Hockey 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, coach’s 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. Anyone receiving more than two yellow cards for verbal abuse or dissent will be considered called before the Disciplinary Committee.
  • 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.
• 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.
  • Anyone who turns up obviously the worse for wear from the previous night’s socialising should not be surprised to find themselves in a lower team the following week.
  • Do not knock balls up on the side of the pitch when another game is in progress. No one is allowed to go on the pitch at any of the clubs home pitches until the previous game has finished and it would be prudent to adopt the same approach at away venues as well. Warm-up properly before the game and warm down after the game, it prevents injury and contributes to the teams success.
• 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 Red shirts, Blue shorts/skirts and Red socks with a change strip of White shirts, Blue shorts/skirts and White socks – please bring both sets of kit to all games – the club can be fined for not wearing the right kit in league games, all players must have numbered shirts with no duplicates. Yorkshire Leagues have recommended that all players should have a shirt with their unique club number; please consider this when ordering new kit.
• 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 will not tolerate players regularly getting carded or sent off. It gets the club a bad name and contrary to what some might believe, it does not help us to win matches.
  • 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.
  • 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 to the team captain or nominees without them having to come looking for the money. You can catch them either before the game, or after in the changing room or club house. It is your responsibility to seek them out and pay, not for them to chase you; it should not be considered a ‘game’ to avoid payment.
  • 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.
• 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.
• 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.