Galway Hockey Club wants to provide the best possible environment for all people involved in the sport. All players deserve to be given enjoyable, safe sporting opportunities, free of abuse of any kind. These participants have rights, which must be respected, and responsibilities that they must accept. All players should be encouraged to realise that they have responsibilities to treat other participants and sports leaders with fairness and respect.
Players are entitled to:
- Be safe and to feel safe
- Be listened to
- Be believed
- Have fun and enjoy hockey
- Have a voice in relation to their activities within Hockey
- Be treated with dignity, sensitivity and respect
- Participate on an equitable and fair manner, irrespective of ability, disability, gender, religion, social class, etc.
- Experience competition at a level at which they feel comfortable
- Make complaints and have them dealt with
- Get help against bullies
- Say No
- Protect their own bodies
- Confidentiality (see section on confidentiality)
Players should always:
- Treat Sports Leaders with respect, (including administrators, coaches, umpires, managers, children’s officers, club officials, etc.,)
- Look out for themselves and the welfare of others
- Play fairly at all times, do their best
- Be organised and on time, tell someone if you are leaving a venue or competition
- Respect team members, even when things go wrong
- Respect the opposition, be gracious in defeat
- Abide by the rules set down by team managers when travelling to away events, representing the club, province or country, etc.
- Behave in a manner that avoids bringing the Club or Hockey in any way into disrepute
- Young players and their parents should talk to the Children’s Officer within the club if they have any problems
Players should never:
- Cheat
- Use violence or physical contact that is not allowed within the rules
- Shout or argue with officials, team mates or opponents
- Harm team members, opponents or their property
- Bully or use bullying tactics to isolate another player or gain advantage
- Take banned substances, alcohol, smoke or engage in sexual behaviour
- Keep secrets, especially if they have caused or could cause harm
- Tell lies about adults / young people
- Spread rumours
- Discriminate against other players on the basis of gender, disability, social class, religion