Code of Conduct

Newry Olympic Hockey Club wants to provide the best possible environment for all young people involved in the sport. Young people deserve to be given enjoyable, safe sporting opportunities, free of abuse of any kind. These participants have rights, which must be respected, and responsibilities that they must accept. Young people should be encouraged to realise that they have responsibilities to treat other participants and sports leaders with fairness and respect. 

Young players are entitled to: 

• Be safe and to feel safe
• Be listened to
• Be believed
• Have fun and enjoy hockey
• Have a voice in relation to their activities within hockey
• Be treated with dignity, sensitivity and respect
• Participate on an equitable and fair manner, irrespective of ability, disability, gender, religion, social class, etc.
• Experience competition at a level at which they feel comfortable
• Make complaints and have them dealt with
• Get help against bullies
• Say No
• Protect their own bodies
• Confidentiality

Young players should always: 

• Treat Sports Leaders with respect, (including administrators, coaches, umpires, managers, children’s officers, club officials, etc.,)
• Look out for themselves and the welfare of others
• Play fairly at all times, do their best
• Be organised and on time, tell someone if they are leaving a venue or competition
• Respect team members, even when things go wrong
• Respect opponents, be gracious in defeat
• Abide by the rules set down by team managers when traveling to away events, representing the club.
• Behave in a manner that avoids bringing hockey in any way into disrepute
• Talk to the Youth Liaison Officer within the club if they have any problems 

Young players should never: 

• Cheat
• Use violence or physical contact that is not allowed within the rules
• Shout or argue with officials, team mates or opponents
• Harm team members, opponents or their property
• Bully or use bullying tactics to isolate another player or gain advantage
• Take banned substances, alcohol, smoke or engage in sexual behaviour
• Keep secrets, especially if they have caused or could cause harm
• Tell lies about adults / young people
• Spread rumours
• Discriminate against other players on the basis of gender, disability, social class, religion

Newry Olympic Hockey Club believes that parents should:

• Be role models for your child and maintain the highest standards of conduct when interacting with young people, other parents, officials and organisers
• Always behave responsibly and do not seek to unfairly affect the outcome of a game, a player or the opponent
• Never intentionally expose any young participant to embarrassment or disparagement by the use of flippant or sarcastic remarks
• Always recognise the value and importance of the officials and volunteers who provide sporting and recreational opportunities for your child. Do not publicly question their judgment or honesty. Respect Children’s Officers, Designated Persons, coaches, umpires, youth organisers, managers and other players.
• Encourage your child to play by the rules. Teach your child that honest endeavour is as important as winning and do all you can to encourage good sportsmanship.
• Set a good example by applauding good play on both sides. Encourage mutual respect for teammates and opponents.
• Take an interest in your child’s sport and support the child’s participation in their chosen activity.
• Parents should support all efforts to remove abusive behaviour and bullying behaviour in all its forms.

Parents & Guardians Code of Conduct

Parent(s) will:



• Respect my child’s teammates and leaders as well as players, parents and coaches from opposing teams. Parents will encourage their child to treat other participants, coaches, children’s officers, officials, selectors and managers with respect.
• Give encouragement and applaud only positive accomplishments whether from my child, his/her teammates, their opponents or the officials.
• Respect my child’s leader(s) and support his/her efforts
• Respect the officials and their authority during sessions and events within the club and under the auspices of Ulster Hockey and Hockey Ireland.
• Never demonstrate threatening or abusive behaviour or use foul language.