Junior Hockey Guidelines
A philosophy and guideline for the presentation of
Junior Hockey in South Australia
Introduction
Hockey SA believes that junior hockey provides the foundation and pathway for a life
involvement in one of Australia’s most successful team sports. With the ability for junior hockey to be delivered in many different environments with varying age groups and team sizes, hockey is conducive to long term involvement.
For junior hockey to continue to grow there must be an overall approach across the state to develop programs and opportunities at all levels for young players, coaches, officials and administrators. This approach must lend itself to the varying needs and wants of the people involved in our sport.
All providers of junior hockey should be familiar with and also put into practice, procedures to ensure young participants have a positive experience with hockey
To produce this Hockey SA must provide and develop a pathway and competitions that encourages participation and offers quality experiences. This pathway and its programs should cater for all level of junior players with flexible rules, practices and competitions.
Hockey SA Junior Hockey Philosophy
The core philosophies of junior hockey in SA are:
• Junior hockey should be fun
• Junior hockey should be safe
• Junior hockey should be fair
• Junior hockey should be about the juniors
Hockey SA strategies to guarantee that these philosophies are met include:
Ongoing Participation
• Junior Hockey should be focused on fun and enjoyment
• Junior Hockey should place importance on development and participation ahead of results
• National (Hook in2 Hockey) and State (Let’s Hockey, Coloured Shirt program) run programs should be endorsed and used where possible.
• Coaches, officials and spectators are to provide positive support for all players
Presenting Junior Hockey
• Junior Hockey should cater for everyone with a broad range of participation options
• All junior hockey participants should be provided with the same opportunities within participation programs
• Both social and competitive options should be available
• The cost of junior hockey should aim to remain as low as possible and only include costs needed to cover the programs
Motivation
• Junior Hockey should be delivered at locations and times that allow for the best possible chance of maximising participation
• All junior hockey participants are to be made to feel that their ongoing
involvement is valued
• Junior hockey should be delivered in an appropriate format to meet the needs and preferences of participants. This may include options such as mixed gender competitions, mixed age groups and weeknight competitions
• Hockey will cater for all levels of junior participants with flexible and
appropriate rules, practices and competitions
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Keeping Junior Hockey Fun and Safe
What makes a fun and safe junior hockey environment?
• A fun place– where the emphasis is on fun and enjoyment, involvement (ahead of winning)
• A physically safe environment– the right first aid, equipment and safe playing areas
• A community– where participants are able to interact with friends and other families
• A socially safe environment– a place where policies and practices are in place in regards to alcohol use, drugs, child protection and harassment.
• A cultural safe environment– where all juniors are made to feel welcome and valued regardless of age, gender, background, ability or beliefs.
Hockey SA junior hockey guidelines are for:
• Coaches
• Officials
• Administrators
• Media
• Players
• Parents and Spectators
Coaches
Remember that players participate for pleasure and winning is only a small part of the fun
Give priority to free play activities, skill learning and modified sport over structured competition
Operate within the rules and spirit of the game and teach players to do the same.
Keep up to date with coaching practices and accreditation.
Encourage players to participate in officiating, coaching and volunteer role Relate to officials in a polite and
courteous way.
Lead by example in relation to alcohol use and drugs
Listen to the players to ensure time they spend with you is a positive experience.
Respect the rights, dignity and worth of all players regardless of their gender, ability, cultural background or religion.
Apply rules and regulations to match the skill levels and needs of the players to make the activity more fun
Compliment and encourage all players – you are source for confidence building
Be consistent when making decisions Keep up to date with the latest trends
and accreditation.
Promote respect for opposition players Place the safety and welfare of the
players above all else
Lead by example in relation to alcohol use and drugs
Ensure that all equipment and facilities meet safety standards and are
appropriate to the age and ability of all players.
Respect the rights, dignity and worth of all players regardless of their gender, ability, cultural background or religion.
Officials
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Administrators
Create pathways for young people to participate not just as a player
Provide competitions and programs to cater for all participants that focus on fun, enjoyment and participation ahead of results.
Encourage coaches, officials and spectators to provide positive encouragement
Present programs and competitions that are accessible and affordable for all level of participate. These should provide the best chance of maximum participation.
Ensure that the types of programs, rules, equipment suit the age and ability of players
Ensure that coaches, officials and volunteers are adequately trained Ensure that everyone emphasises fair
play ahead of winning at all costs
Respect the rights, dignity and worth of all participants regardless of their gender, ability, cultural background or
Provide coverage of junior hockey where possible focussing on
participation and achievements ahead of results
Report and focus on participants fair play and honest effort
Be aware of the differences between adult, professional and modified hockey programs for young people
Give equal time and space to reporting on boys and girls within hockey
Provide coverage on all aspects of junior hockey, including officiating, coaching and volunteers
Media
Players
Respect the officials, coaches, and opposition players and encourage team mates to do the same
Show respect and acknowledge opponents and officials
Play within the rules and the spirit of the game
Work equally hard for yourself and your team
Participate for your own enjoyment Play fair – do not engage in
discrimination, harassment or abuse in any form, including the use of obscene or offensive language or gestures Cooperate with your coach, team
mates and opponents. Without them there would be no competition Learn, develop and try all skills and
positions
Respect the rights, dignity and worth of all players regardless of their gender, ability, cultural background or religion.
Remember that children participate for their enjoyment, not yours
Encourage children to play within the rules of the game
Never ridicule a player for making a mistake or not winning
Respect officials decisions and teach children to do likewise
Show your appreciation for volunteers, coaches and officials.
Applaud good performances and efforts from all individuals and team.
Congratulate all participants regardless of the game’s outcomes.
Condemn the use of violence, verbal abuse or vilification in any form
Support involvement in modified rules games and other junior development programs
Respect the rights, dignity and worth of all players regardless of their gender, ability, cultural background or religion.
Parents and Spectators
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Resources and Acknowledgements
Hockey Australia Member Protection Policy
The Hockey Australia Member Protection Policy aims to ensure that every person involved in our sport is treated with respect and dignity, and is safe and protected from abuse.
http://www.hockey.org.au/index.php?id=131
Play by the Rules
free online training, education and information in regards to making sport inclusive, safe and fair http://www.playbytherules.net.au/
Australian Sports Commission
Is the Australian Government body that coordinates the Governments commitment & contribution to sport.
http://ausport.gov.au/
Hockey SA Codes of Behaviour
Codes of behaviour for coaches, officials and spectators
Hockey SA working with Children
Guidelines to working with children as a coach or administrator http://www.hockeysa.com.au/index.php?id=421
