NGHA By-Laws
Article 8 – NGHA Code of Conduct
This Code of Conduct identifies the standard of behaviour, which is expected of all NGHA members, including players, coaches, parents, directors, volunteers, chaperones and others.
- NGHA is committed to providing a sports environment in which all individuals are treated with respect. Members shall conduct themselves at all times in a fair and responsible manner.
- Members shall refrain from comments or behaviours, which are disrespectful, offensive, abusive, racist or sexist. In particular, behaviour, which constitutes harassment or abuse, will not be tolerated.
- Members shall at all times adhere to NGHA operational policies and procedures.
- Members shall not engage in activity or behaviour, which endangers the safety of others.
Failure to comply with this Code of Conduct will result in disciplinary action, suspension or release from membership. Such action may result in the member losing the privileges that come with membership in NGHA, including the opportunity to participate in NGHA activities.
NGHA Constitution
Article 7 – NGHA Disciplinary Guidelines
a) Infractions shall be reported to the President using the Incident Report Form.
b) At the discretion of the president, disciplinary situations involving minor infractions may be dealt with directly by the President, or designate, who shall apply reasonable sanctions in accordance with the guidelines contained in this policy. In situations involving minor infractions where the President deems a suspension is necessary, approval from the executive is first required. In some cases, the President may choose to turn a minor infraction over to an ad hoc committee.
c) All disciplinary situations involving major infractions will be addressed by an ad hoc committee in accordance with Article 6 - Committees, 2.1 Discipline Boards. A repeat appearance before an ad hoc committee on a related or unrelated issue to a prior appearance shall be treated as a major infraction and shall be subject to disciplinary action over and above that issued as a result of a previous incident.
d) Disciplinary decisions shall be reported to the President who will notify the executive.
e) Examples of minor infractions:
- a single incident of disrespectful, offensive, harassment, abusive, racist or sexist comments or behaviours directed towards others, including but not limited to peers, opponents, coaches, officials, administrators, spectators, sponsors
- non-compliance with the rules and regulations and/or code of conduct of NGHA
- a single incident of fighting
- vulgar language
f) Examples of major infractions:
- repeated incidents of disrespectful, offensive, abusive, racist or sexist comments or behaviours or harassment directed towards others, including but not limited to peers, opponents, coaches, officials, administrators, spectators, sponsors
- activities or behaviour which endanger the safety of others
- repeated incidents of fighting
- repeated use of vulgar language
- deliberate disregard for the rules and regulations and code of conduct of NGHA
- any use of alcohol by minors at NGHA events
- any use of illicit drugs at NGHA events, or being under such influence at an NGHA event
g) Disciplinary sanctions
1. The following disciplinary sanctions may be applied, singly or in combination, for minor infractions:
- verbal reprimand
- written reprimand to be placed in individual's file
- verbal apology
- hand-delivered written apology
- reasonable suspension and/or loss of privileges from the current competition and/or participation on certain teams or in certain events
- other sanctions as may be considered appropriate and reasonable for the offence
2. The following disciplinary sanctions may be applied, singly or in combination, for major infractions:
- written reprimand to be placed in individual's file
- hand-delivered written apology
- suspension from NGHA events, which may include suspension and/or loss of priviledges from the current competition, team(s) or from future NGHA teams, events or competitions
- recommendation for expulsion (forwarded for consideration by the executive pursuant to Article 10 - Expulsion)
- other sanctions as may be considered appropriate and reasonable for the offence
h) Any disciplinary sanctions by an ad hoc committee shall be communicated to the individual in writing and any disciplinary sanctions applied shall take effect as outlined in the decision
i) The appeals procedure is open to all NGHA members who have been assessed disciplinary sanction(s). A decision of an ad hoc disciplinary committee may be appealed in writing, with a $50 fee, to the NGHA executive through the President within 48 hours of a written decision having been received. An appeal Tribunal must respond to the appeal within seven (7) working days. Only those executive members who are not directly involved in the case and who are not related to those involved may take part in the hearing. All suspensions and /or expulsions will be served until such time as an appeal has been heard and the decision overturned.