Parent Code of Conduct
Skate Canada is committed to ensuring that all skaters have the opportunity to participate in a safe and welcoming environment that is encouraging and promotes their overall development. Parents have an enormous influence on skaters' experiences in the sport. The quality of a skater's experience is determined by their relationship with the parents and the manner in which parents conduct themselves in the Skate Canada environment.
In this code "parents" shall refer to "parents and guardians". This code applies to all parents who are members of Skate Canada or have children who are members of Skate Canada. Parents shall abide by this code at all times while participating in any Skate Canada club or school, competition, or activity.
- All parents are expected to conduct themselves in a responsible manner consistent with the values of fair play. integrity, open communication, and mutual respect.
- Parents shall always model positive responsible behavior and communicate with their son/daughter that they expect them to do the same. Parents will assume the major responsibility for their son/daughter's on ice conduct and attitude.
- Parents shall at all times treat all individuals and property with dignity, courtesy, and respect, including but not limited to skaters, coaches, officials, volunteers, other parents, and all other individuals that are part of the club, skating school, Section or Skate Canada.
- Parents shall refrain from any behavior, or comments, which are profane, insulting, harassing, sexist, racist, abusive, disrespectful or otherwise offensive without hostility or violence.
- Parents shall emphasize the importance of values like sportsmanship, respect, cooperation, competition and teamwork to their son/daughter offering praise for competing fairly, participation and skill development.
- Parents shall model and encourage their son/daughter to maintain a healthy balance between skating and life. (i.e., school, other activities, social life, etc.)
- Parents shall model and encourage balanced, healthy food choices and subscribe to an active and healthy lifestyle.
- Parents shall set high, but reasonable expectations for their son/daughter’s participation in skating focusing on development and enjoyment for the child.
- Parents shall instill confidence in their son/daughter’s ability and skill development, always avoiding comparisons with other skaters.
- Parents shall celebrate the acquisition of skills and goals achieved by their son/daughter.
- Parents, along with the professional coach and the athlete, shall be considered members of a team whose main concern is the child’s overall progress and development. Parents shall respect that the professional coach is responsible and empowered for the on‐ice and off‐ice development of the athlete. A parent’s role shall be to take a healthy interest in their child’s progress and development and be responsible for the child’s nutrition, rest, adherence to off‐ice training regimen set by the coach or another fitness professional, overall health, life‐balance, and moral and emotional support.
- Parents shall ensure their son/daughter wears proper skating clothing and equipment.
- Parents shall never provide alcohol or drugs to minors in a Skate Canada environment.
- Parents shall never provide or advocate the use of performance-enhancing drugs or substances.
- Parents shall avoid any conduct, which brings their club, skating school, Section or Skate Canada, into disrepute, including but not limited to the abusive use of alcohol, non‐medical use of drugs and gambling.
- Parents shall openly support and uphold this code of conduct policy and take action and steps to ensure other parents follow and uphold this code of conduct policy.
- Parents shall adhere to the policies, procedures, rules, standards, and ethics of Skate Canada at all times.
Skater Code of Conduct
Club Representation
- Skaters are representatives of the DVSC whether in our arena or away at competitions and as such are expected to conduct themselves in a proper and polite manner which includes no profanity.
- As representatives of the DVSC, skaters should not wear competing for club’s team wear while skating for DVSC on home ice or away
Ice Conduct
- Skaters must yield the right of way to other skaters in a private lesson and especially if their music is playing.
- No standing around (chatting) on the ice surface.
- No kicking, stomping, picking or making intentional snow on the ice surface.
- Pushing, tripping, horseplay, tag or intentional interference with other skaters is NOT permitted on the ice or elsewhere in the arena.
- Parents of skaters are responsible for the behavior of their child during all sessions.
- Only members in good standing with the club will be allowed to take tests and participate in club competition. Members not in good standing may be suspended by executive committees.
- Skaters are not allowed to leave the ice surface without the coach’s permission.
- All skaters have the right to a safe environment both on and off the ice, and as such verbal and or physical abuse of any kind will not be tolerated and could result in immediate suspension.
3 Strike Violation Rule
If a skater is in violation of the code of conduct she/he will be:
- Warned and parents verbally informed.
- Skater will be warned again with written letters to skater, coach, and parent.
- Skater will be suspended at the board's discretion (usual minimum 1 month).
- If the behavior of a skater is in serious breach of conduct (at executive committee meetings) said skater may be immediately suspended.
**In cases of suspension NO REFUND of any kind will be granted**
Policies for Safety and Sportsmanship
- StarSkate skaters should be in proper skating attire - dresses or skirts preferred warm-up pants and sweat pants allowed - absolutely NO jeans or pajama pants.
- Young skaters and other children MUST NOT be left unattended while in the arena. Parents of PreCan/CanSkate and Juniors MUST remain in attendance during their child’s lesson.
- Parents are not allowed on the ice during lessons and are not permitted to remain on the player’s bench or inside the ice pad area. Parents may watch their children from the stands or through the glass so as to not interfere with lessons or block access to the ice.
- CSA approved helmets are mandatory for all skaters not in StarSkating sessions. Bike helmets will not be permitted.
- Hair must be pulled back.
- Be on time, in proper skate attire, ready to skate.
- Enter ice along the boards rather than possibly in the path of another skater.
- All times are set by the arena clock.
- Money and valuables should not be left in the change areas. The club bears no responsibility for loss or theft.
- Skaters are allowed to skate only on the sessions they are qualified and registered for or have board approval.
All complaints or concerns must be addressed to the board in writing; either given to an executive member/coach or by email. A decision, if required, will be made at the next scheduled board meeting. Executive members may not be sought out individually at the arena, their home or place of business to register complaints.