Background: 

 

Respect in Hockey is one of the most important aspects of the sport that we love. The Early Bird Executive Committee is committed to creating a safe environment for those participating in the Early Bird Hockey Tournament as we strive to make hockey an enjoyable place for everyone. 

 

Players, coaches, parents and tournament committee can work together to create a positive and welcoming environment for all those participating. 

 

Coming to a hockey rink and enjoying the game is a privilege, with that privilege comes some expectations. Players, coaches, referees and spectators should expect to be able to enjoy the game of hockey free of harassment, disrespectful behavior and abuse (verbal or physical). 

 

Be kind, be respectful, these are kids, it is a game, our coaches are volunteers, the referees are human – Respect the Game and have Fun!

 

As part of our efforts to ensure a safe, healthy and fun environment for all those involved, the Early Bird Hockey Tournament has introduced the Rink Monitor Program to help us achieve this goal. 

 

Specifics: 

 

- All teams participating in the Early Bird Hockey Tournament must designate an individual at each game (home and away) to act as a Rink Monitor. 

- The individual acting as the Rink Monitor will be recorded on a tracking sheet for follow up purposes if necessary. 

- The Rink Monitor is to wear the arm band provided by the Rink Coordinator as identification. 

 

Responsibilities – Rink Monitor: 

 

- Prior to the game introduce yourself, along with the other team’s Rink Monitor, to the Rink Coordinator. 

- Get the Rink Monitor arm band from the Rink Coordinator and wear it for the duration of the game. Return to Rink Coordinator at the end of game.

- Position yourself among your team’s spectators. 

- Monitor the behavior of your teams’ parents and fans. 

- The Rink Monitor is expected to act on behalf of the Rink Coordinator by reminding parents to remain respectful, keep their comments to themselves and refrain from vocalizing their complaints during the game. 

- Quickly diffuse potential problems before they arise by either being visible or calmly speaking with the individual(s) involved. 

- Deal with, and act on, inappropriate comments, gestures and/or general unsporting behavior directed at referees, players or any other individual by your teams’ spectators or coaches, but please avoid getting into a confrontation. If someone is still hostile after being asked to calm down, please gather relevant information, but do not put yourself in a dangerous position. 

- The Rink Monitor is not expected to put themselves in a situation which may compromise their safety. They are instead asked to reach out immediately to the Rink Coordinator for support. 

- The Rink Monitor is expected to support the Rink Coordinator when requested to do so. 

- Any questions/comments/complaints/compliments in regards to spectator behavior should be directed to Wade Lewis (Early Bird Tournament Chair) at earlybird@sprmha.com. The Early Bird Executive Committee will investigate the alleged incident and act accordingly. 

 

Responsibilities – Rink Coordinator: 

 

- Prior to the game, introduce yourself to the Rink Monitors and provide them with identifying arm bands.

- Record Rink Monitor names on tracking sheet.

- The Rink Coordinator can contact the Rink Monitors at any time for assistance.

- If at any time the Rink Coordinator and Rink Monitors cannot control the situation, the Rink Coordinator will ask the offending individual(s) to leave the premises.

- When a spectator is asked to leave the arena, please coordinate with Rink Monitor(s) to obtain individual’s name and report to EB Executive. 

 

Enforcement: 

 

- Rink Coordinators will be enforcing the Rink Monitor program with full support of the Early Bird Executive Committee

- Any team found not to be participating in the program shall be subject to further disciplinary action up to and including suspension from participating in the Early Bird Hockey Tournament. 

 

The Early Bird Hockey Tournament Executive Committee believes that most games are played in the spirit of the game as intended.

 

We want to ensure that our coaches, players, referees and spectators have a fun and enjoyable experience, remember this is a game, humans are involved and mistakes will happen, be respectful and understanding.