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Players
Behaviour Policy
WELSH HOCKEY
UMPIRES ASSOCIATION
SOUTH REGION
PLAYER BEHAVIOUR POLICY
It has been reported from a number of sources within and without our
domestic structure, that over recent seasons the general demeanour of
teams within our sport has declined markedly. Whilst this is not something
unique to Hockey, it is nonetheless an area for considerable concern.
The Welsh Hockey Umpires Association, South Region has become concerned
with this deteriorating standard of behaviour exhibited by players in
our games. This is having a detrimental effect for all who enjoy the
game. The number of current umpires is reducing, coupled with a reduction
in new uptake of the whistle at all levels. Many cite player behaviour,
specifically persistent comments, dissent, questioning and downright
abuse as the key factor influencing their decision whether to umpire
or not. The majority of players also reflect that there has been sea
changes in the way players inter-react with umpires. In recent weeks
the West Hockey Umpires Association together with some of the West regions
has issued a policy to try and combat this deteriorating situation.
The Devon Hockey Umpires Association pioneered this policy during last
season and it has received a very positive feedback from all involved
in hockey in that county.
The policy below
therefore is for implementation initially at all men league games in
the structure where, the South Region appoints neutral umpires.
It is hoped therefore to engender responsibility to all for improving
player behaviour, be they players, umpires, selectors, managers, coaches,
supporters, and that this policy and others like it act as the framework
around which we can influence change so that all involved in hockey
can once again enjoy the game.
It is proposed to implement this policy as from Saturday 5th October
2007 in all games in the Severn, North 1, and 2 and Premier 3 Divisions
when played in Wales. You will find that when clubs play games in the
West Country they will find a similar policy being implemented. At the
toss both captains will be reminded or made particularly aware of this
policy and how the umpires are going to implement the policy.
It is now up to us all to ensure consistency and that we are not only
umpiring the game in front of us but the affect it will have on our
game in the future.
Alison Cook
Chair, Welsh Hockey Umpires Association (South Region).
PLAYER
BEHAVIOUR POLICY
Importantly this policy is not intended:
• to be prescriptive of the sanctions which will be applied in
every instance; or
• to take away the umpires' ability to manage the game and apply
common sense; or
• to discourage a dialogue between players and umpires in appropriate
circumstances.
However, this policy does represent a standard, which will be enforced
by umpires in the majority of cases and against which their handling
of player behaviour will be assessed.
1 ROLE
OF THE CAPTAIN
Captains are responsible for the behaviour of all players on their team,
including those on the bench (Rule 3.4). The importance of this rule
cannot be underestimated. Umpires will expect and must receive the assistance
of both captains at all times to assist their management of the game.
A personal penalty may be awarded to a captain who does not exercise
his responsibilities.
2 SWEARING
Swearing is unacceptable on a hockey pitch. The umpires’ will
deal with all instances of audible swearing with a penalty being applied
where appropriate. The penalties may include:
(a) The upgrading
or reversal of a decision as appropriate;
(b) A verbal warning;
(c) A green card;
(d) A yellow card;
(e) A red card
Offensive swearing directed at an umpire, about the decision of an umpire,
at an opponent, any other official or a spectator will be punished,
normally with a yellow/red card, as appropriate. The duration of a yellow
card will reflect the seriousness of the offence.
Swearing
which is audible only within a short distance or which is genuinely
borne out of frustration (but not in reaction to an umpires decision)
will generally be dealt with by a verbal caution in the first instance,
perhaps even without the game stopping. Subsequent or repeated occurrences
may see more severe penalties applied.
3 DISSENT
/ VERBAL ABUSE
Dissent or verbal abuse directed towards an umpire, about the decision
of an umpire, at an opponent, any other official or a spectator will
be punished as appropriate and this may include a yellow/red card. The
duration of a yellow card will reflect the seriousness of the offence.
Other penalties may also be applied as necessary.
Ordinarily a captain
will be invited to deal with the first instance of verbal abuse between
members of his own team unless it is particularly serious. Thereafter,
the umpires will apply such penalties as they see fit.
4 PERSISTENT QUESTIONING
/ INDIRECT DISSENT
Persistent questioning of or complaining about umpires' decisions undermines
the umpire’s focus on the game. Whilst there will always be individual
instances of questioning the umpires' decisions during a match, as it
can sometimes be a natural reaction, this should be in an appropriate
and always in a civil manner. Any explanation offered by an umpire will
be the end of the matter and not be subject to further discussion during
the match. If player(s) fail to do so, the player(s) cannot be surprised
if they are then disciplined or penalised. It is not a player’s
role to question decisions.
Persistent
questioning, indirect comments about umpires, their decisions, non-verbal
dissent (e.g. throwing away the stick, showing with their body language)
and generally petulant behaviour will be dealt with in the same manner
as swearing in section 2 above.
5 SURROUNDING
UMPIRES
Surrounding an umpire means more than 2 players approaching an umpire
to contest a decision. Surrounding umpires is unacceptable and will
be punished by the umpires in every instance. On the first occasion
the team captain will be awarded a green card and warned to control
his players and the player(s) may also be punished. On subsequent occasions,
the captain and/or offending player(s) may be awarded a yellow/red card.
6 APPEALING
Encouraging umpires to award cards to members of the opposing team is
unacceptable and is not in the spirit of hockey. Players doing this
(either verbally or by waving imaginary cards) will receive a minimum
penalty of a green card. A second or subsequent offence will be meet
with a more severe punishment
7. Off
Field Players, Officials and Supporters
It is the
captains responsibility to ensure the proper behaviour of their off
field players, officials and supporters. If an umpire, other official,
opposition team/player(s) or supporter(s), are abused in any way, it
will be the captains’ responsibility to take the appropriate action.
If the captain fails to undertake this duty then the WHU’s policy
on “Pitch side rules of conduct” will be implemented in
all cases. The umpire(s) will make the necessary report and forward
to the Operations Manger at the WHU for appropriate action.
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