City of Hamilton Zero Tolerance Policy for Violence in Recreational Properties and Facilities

Ancaster Minor Hockey League adheres to the City of Hamilton Zero Tolerance Policy and this policy supersedes all other Codes of Conduct in the Ancaster Minor Hockey League Manual of Operations.

Policy Statement

The City of Hamilton's recreational properties and facilities, including but not limited to, arenas, recreation centres, outdoor pools and parks sports pitches, exist to provide residents with opportunities to participate in sport and other recreational activities in a safe and positive environment. Prominent among residents making use of the recreational properties and facilities are the children of Hamilton. The City will ensure the most supportive climate possible for Hamilton Children, so that they can enjoy their sport, and learn about competition, teamwork,sportsmanship, and fair play.

As with many Ontario communities, Hamilton's minor sport system is managed and operated by volunteers. These community-minded citizens contribute in many ways to the success of minor sport in Hamilton. It is the City's responsibility that they, too, have the ability to work in a safe and positive environment.

It is critical, then, for the City, through its Department of Culture and Recreation, to do all things necessary to ensure that prevented measures are in place so that incidents of violent or inappropriate behaviour do not occur in its recreational properties and facilities.

Included in this commitment is an understanding that organizations using City recreational properties and facilities must take PRIMARY responsibility for the behaviour of all associated with them: players, officials, and spectators.

Statements of Principle

1. Participation by children in sport is an important element in the human development process.
2. To ensure maximum enjoyment and benefits from participation in sport, the maintenance of a safe and positive environment is essential.
3. The rules of each of the games exist to protect the players. Referees/officials are charged to ensure the fair and even application of the rules, and to ensure safety of the players.
4. The City must put measures in place to ensure the safety of referees/officials, as well as organizers of minor sport, who are for the most part volunteers.
5. Violent or abusive behaviours, such as verbal threats and insults, attempts to intimidate as well as physical assault have no place in the City's recreational properties and facilities.
6. Promotion of spectator "positive cheering" will assist in the reduction of violent behaviours in City recreational properties and facilities.
7. Our volunteers are charged with the education of our youth on the ideals of sportsmanship, fair play and appropriate behaviour.

Goals of the Policy

1. To reduce or eliminate violence from City recreational properties and facilities, inclusive of outdoor sports pitches.
2. To promote positive cheering behaviours among spectators and fans.
3. To increase the level of understanding among spectators and fans of the importance of creating a positive and supportive environment for children's sport.

Definition of Violence

The focus of this Policy is on the behaviour of non-players, except for those situations in which a player engages in a violent act outside the area of play. For the purposes of this Policy, violence includes, but is not limited to, the following behaviours:

• loud verbal assaults
• threats and attempts to intimidate
• throwing of articles in a deliberate or aggressive manner
• aggressive approaches to another individual
• physical striking of another individual
• attempts to goad or incite violence in others
• vandalism to building or property
• racial or ethnic slurs
• illegal consumption of alcohol or drugs

The Consequences

Individuals who engage in any of the above behaviours will be subject to immediate ejection from the property or facility and a mandatory suspension from all City recreational properties and facilities for a period of time not less than two months. Two months is a minimum period only, and may be extended by the City's Director of Culture and Recreation (the Director).

Those individuals who are identified and suspended in accordance with this Policy shall further be prohibited from holding any positions within the City's affiliated sport community for a period of two years.

Incidents may be reported to the City of Hamilton Police Service. Criminal charges may follow.

There will be no reconsideration by the City with respect to the length of a suspension or prohibition. Where new information is available, a suspended individual may request reconsideration of the facts on which the suspension is based. Such request must be addressed to the Director, who will consider the new information and make his or her decision. ALL SUCH DECISIONS OF THE DIRECTOR ARE FINAL. Those individuals desiring reconsideration must include with their request payment of a non-refundable (unsuccessful) administration fee in the amount of $250.00. In the event that the applicant is successful, we will refund the administration fee.

Where vandalism has been perpetrated, not only will the individuals responsible be subject to suspensions outlined above, but will be required to reimburse the City for the cost of repair, together with an additional administration charge of 100% of such cost.

Implementation

The policy will take effect for the New City of Hamilton on September 1, 2001.

(In accordance with the Occupiers Liability Act, the Workers Health and Safety Act, and the Trespass to Property Act.)

Zero Tolerance Incident Report

If you witness an incident, please complete the Zero Tolerance Incident Report