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Parents

Parents’ Guidelines

  • Do not force your child to play hockey, but support his/her desire to play. A child typically gets involved in organized hockey for enjoyment. Make it fun. Remember that your child is PLAYING hockey. It is important to allow him/her to establish his/her own goals. Do not impose your own standards or objectives on your child.
  • Encourage your child to play by the rules. Children learn best by example, so applaud fair play and the good plays of both teams.
  • Do not embarrass your child by yelling at players, coaches or officials. Show a positive attitude toward the game and all of its participants. Your child will benefit from this.
  •  Emphasize developing skills and practicing, and their benefits. De-emphasize games and competition in younger age groups.
  • Know and study the rules of the game and support the officials on and off the ice. This approach will help develop and support the game. Criticizing officials only hurts the game.
  • The stands are not a place from which to try to personally coach your child. A child often mirrors his parents’ actions. If he sees mom or dad losing control in the stands, he'll probably do the same on the ice.
  • The best way to help a child achieve goals and reduce the natural fear of failure is through positive reinforcement. Applaud good efforts in both victory and in defeat. Highlight the positive points of the game. If your child does make a mistake – and he/she will (remember, he’s just a kid) – keep in mind that mistakes are an important part of the learning process. Strive to be supportive and point out the things your child does well. Make your child feel like a winner.
  • Never yell or physically abuse your child after a game or practice - it is destructive. Work diligently to help remove the physical and verbal abuse in youth sports.
  • Recognize the importance of volunteer coaches. They are very important to the development of your child and to the sport. Communicate with, respect and support your child’s coaches.
  • Keep things in perspective. There is much more to life than hockey. The car and home are not places to coach. Support and respect the coach's decisions and abilities. It is unfair to put a child in a position of having to decide who to listen to – her parents or the coach.
  • If you enjoy the game, learn all you can about it! And...volunteer!

Parent's Code of Conduct

 

  • I hereby pledge to provide positive support, care and encouragement for my child participating in Sun Valley Youth Hockey by following the Parents’ Code of Conduct:
  • I will encourage good sportsmanship by demonstrating positive support for all players, coaches and officials at every game, practice or other youth hockey event. I will condemn unsportsmanlike conduct of any kind.
  • I will place the emotional and physical well being of my child ahead of my personal desire to win.
  • I will insist that my child play in a safe and healthy environment.
  • I will require that my child’s coach be trained in the responsibilities of being a youth hockey coach and that the coach uphold the Coaches’ Code of Ethics.
  • To encourage a positive and enjoyable experience for everyone, I will support the coaches and officials who work with my child.
  • I will demand a youth hockey environment for my child that is free from drugs, tobacco and alcohol. I will refrain from their use at all youth hockey events.
  • I will remember that the game is for the kids – not the adults.
  • I will do my very best to make youth hockey fun for my child.
  • I will ask my child to treat other players, coaches, fans and officials with respect regardless of race, sex, creed or ability.
  • I will help my child enjoy the youth hockey experience by doing whatever I can, such as being a respectful fan, assisting with coaching or providing transportation.
  • If I have a concern, I will follow the SVYH Grievance Policy and Procedures to address it.
  • Should I not abide by this Code of Conduct, I understand that a representative of Sun Valley Youth Hockey may ask me to leave the ice rink. If such request occurs, I will leave the rink.