Fair Play Committee

A) League commitment to Fair Play

B) FPC Purpose

C) FPC Goals

D) FPC Focus

E) FPC Composition

F) FPC Procedures

A) Good Times Hockey League of the Arts

Commitment to Fair Play

The GTHLA was founded on the ideals of sportsmanship and fair play and each team and player must promote them. The teams, after each individual player, are the primary authorities in maintaining discipline and promoting these ideals.

Specifically, we feel fighting, roughing, verbal abuse and harmful stick-work are not part of the game. We do not have any patience for it and it’s not welcome. It is the team’s responsibility to filter out all of these unacceptable elements by not allowing certain players to play and preventing any on-ice confrontations.

We realize that on-ice confrontations always start from the actions of an opposing player. It is important to acknowledge that offenses are often accidental, but no matter what, retaliation is even more inexcusable and will often escalate the situation. Referees are present to supervise the game, it is important to accept that they cannot see the entire surface of play and may not be able to witness every infraction.

If a player has any issues with missed infractions or consistent unsportsmanlike behaviour from a specific player, they should be indicated to their own captain, who can then discuss it further with the opposing captain, referee(s) or league officials after the game. Finally, every team must demand discipline from their own players before they request more from others.

The GTHLA has formed a Fair Play Committee (FPC) to promote and monitor fair game play in the GTHLA.

B) Fair Play Committee Purpose:

• To act as a resource for teams and referees with respect to holding up the values of the GTHLA Commitment to Fair Play.

C) Fair Play Committee Goals:

• A fun, safe and fair hockey league for everyone that upholds the GTHLA Commitment to Fair Play. The FPC will always…

· Keep the onus on the players and then the teams for upholding the league’s values.

· Utilize inclusion, equity and communication.

D) Fair Play Committee Focus:

• To recognize fair play in the GTHLA by awarding a year-end 'Fair Play Award' for each team. (need to determine how we would decide who would get it and why and when we will begin)

• Monitor GTHLA league statistics and work with teams and referees to keep track of excessive unfair play from individual players or teams.

• Hand out league suspensions in addition to those outlined in the CHA rulebook and handed out by the referees during GTHLA games.

• Promote casual conversations between players about the league and how everyone is playing together in the league. Let’s all keep talking to one another!

E) Fair Play Committee Composition:

• Chairperson: Jenn Sek – Pneumonia
• Executive: Craig Barnes – Referee (Referee Liasion); Greg Simone - Dufferin Groove; Ted Bisaillion – Jokers; Heather Cunningham – Fruit (Secretary); Steve O'Sullivan - 3 Gut Feelings
• One representative from each team

(We need to expand on bylaws for committee composition. The executive should be an odd number, 5 or maybe 7 depending on what fits best for the executive’s effectiveness and efficiency. We need to describe what attributes a member on the executive should have? I think we always need at least one referee on the executive. I think a 3 year term on the board would be good and I think the terms should rotate, every year 2 members on the executive would be starting their term, except ever third (this is with a 5 person executive).

F) Procedures

Procedure to follow if a game ejection occurs:

• If a game ejection occurs the team reps and/or players should discuss what happened with the referees immediately following the game. The referees will forward this information to the Fair Play Committee (FPC) by phone to the referee liaison (Craig Barnes).

• Each team involved in a game that has a game ejection is required to notify the FPC by e-mail within 24 hours of who was ejected and why.

• The FPC will review this information, mediate further discussion with the teams, if necessary and log the incident into the un-fair player database and determine if any suspensions will be handed out.

• Teams will be notified by the FPC by e-mail before their next game of any suspensions that were issued. All suspensions and game ejections will be noted in the un-fair player database.

Note: Since the convening of a Fair Play Committee hearing may take a few days, the FPC or Commissioner reserves the right to suspend immediately any individual as a result of an incident which they deem to be of a serious nature. Such decisions will be reviewed by the Fair Play Committee as soon as possible.

• Teams who want to appeal can do so by responding to the FPC e-mail within 48 hours.

• The FPC will review the appeal and respond within 48 hours.

Complaint And Appeal Process

(The process for Fair Play Committee members when a complaint has been reported)

1. Hear the complaint from all parties involved, including witnesses, officials, etc.

2. Inform each member of the committee explaining the situation.

3. Once all committee members have been contacted make a decision.

4. Then a formal letter will be sent to all parties involved with an explanation of the decision. A copy will be sent to players, GM’s, Fair Play Reps and Committee Members.

5. If the decision is not improved, discuss other alternatives with committee members.

6. All decisions may be appealed.

The Appeal Process

1. Written notification requesting appeal.

2. Fair Play Committee members will re-cap the situation and the decision that was handed down.

3. The Committee may request additional input from General Managers, players, officials, etc. relating to the incident.

4. The Fair Play Committee will then uphold, revoke, decrease or increase the penalty that was assessed.

5. This decision is final.

Process for unresolved conflicts without any game ejections or misconducts

(outline a mediation process)

Process for Referee Concerns

(Outline what actions need to be taken if the referees warn about a player.)

*Note: Tom Goodwin can ask for any decision to be reviewed if he deems it necessary.