Our commitment

The Hockey Farm is committed to providing a safe environment for participation. Aggressive, threatening or other inappropriate behaviour by members, their families, their friends, and other sporting personnel while attending a game or event will not be tolerated.

These behaviours are outlined in our Code of Conduct and specifically include:

• using bad language

• harassing, demeaning or ridiculing players, coaches, officials or other spectators

• making racist, religious, sexist or other inappropriate comments to players, coaches, officials or other spectators

• any threatening behaviour or physical altercation between spectators and players, coaches, officials or other spectators

• putting undue pressure on children, berating them or putting down their performance

What we will do

• Provide members, their parents and other sporting personnel with our Code of Conduct and make clear what is expected and the consequences of non-compliance.

• Where possible, bind non-members by prominently displaying conditions of entry to grounds and facilities and by requiring parents to abide by club rules (e.g. by making parents associate members, signing our Code of Conduct).

• Reinforce messages of fair and respectful behaviour by displaying signs and posters around our facilities and providing information on our website, in our newsletter and through other club communication.

• Encourage our coaches and officials to complete training to develop their skills and confidence.

• Consult with our local police and seek their support and advice on how to handle issues involving inappropriate behaviour by spectators prior to, at or after a game.

• Encourage the reporting of incidents and investigate inappropriate behaviours as outlined in this policy and take disciplinary or whatever other actions as are deemed necessary (e.g. appoint a ground official to monitor behaviour).

• Encourage our players, coaches, officials and spectators to call the police if they are concerned about escalating behaviour and their safety or the safety of others.

What we ask you to do

• Help create a positive atmosphere for players, officials and other spectators by showing respect for players, officials and other spectators.

• Abide by our Code of Conduct and refrain from using bad language, harassing or ridiculing others or behaving in a threatening or violent manner.

• If you are aware of inappropriate spectator behaviour and you feel confident to do so, speak with the person and ask them to stop. If there is a ground official or Hockey Farm official present, ask for their assistance.

• Report any inappropriate spectator behaviour to the Hockey Farm manager or someone in a position of authority.

• Call the police or a Hockey Farm official if you are concerned for your safety or the safety of others.

Non-Compliance

Spectators, parents or others found to have behaved inappropriately may be asked to leave the premises of The Hockey Farm. Such offenders who are Hockey Farm members and have as a condition of membership agreed to abide by our Code of Conduct and this policy, may face disciplinary action as outlined in our Member Protection Policy.