GENERAL INFORMATION

1.      The Nationals Executive expects full co-operation between coaches and managers regarding the use of affiliates. Any coach not extending  co-operation to the requesting team will be subject to disciplinary action by the Nationals

·         Where is suspected that any team staff member is favouring the use of their children in the affiliated player request, the Nationals will take disciplinary action.

·         All Players, including AP; s are to be given EQUAL ICE TIME over a period of 5 games. This applies to all games played. The Nationals executive Will act on any complaint of unfair ice time, practices or Favouritism towards team players or staff members children.

2.      The head coach is responsible for enforcement of all CHA, OHF,OMHA and Nationals rules and regulations including suspensions. Any MATCH or multi- game suspensions must be reported to applicable Nationals executive, whether it’s an exhibition, tournament or league play game.

3.      The head coach is ultimately responsible for all fund raising activities for his team. Permission is required prior to planned activity.

4.      The Nationals does NOT support the abuse of OFFICIALS, ARENA STAFF, ARENAS OR VISITING TEAM BY COACHES, PARENTS or PLAYERS. Individual teams WILL be held financially accountable for any damage occurred.

5.      Player demeanour is usually a direct reflection of the methods or tactics employed by the coaching staff.

6.      Our teams represent the city of Peterborough, both home and away. It is hoped team staff monitor and correct any unfavourable behaviour displayed by parents, player or team staff.

7.      We expect our teams to be respectful when visiting other centers. Leave dressing rooms in a clean state when exiting arena.

Any reports of vandalism or TRASHING of dressing rooms will be dealt with immediately by the Nationals Executive. The Individual team WILL be held financially accountable!

              TEAM REGULATIONS & REQUIREMENTS

1.      A player must be able to provide proof of age if requested prior to tryouts.

2.      No Player will participate in any tryouts or team activity until proper registration forms are completed

3.      Any coach or manager who knowingly allows an unregistered player to participate will to be subjected to suspension by the executive.

4.      The executive will suspend any coach or manager who knowingly signs an illegal player to a team.

5.      Any team staff member who TAMPERS with a player on a higher classification by encouraging them to be on the lower classification team will be suspended by the executive

6.      If a team wishes to use an affiliated player at anytime during playoffs or regular season, the players name must appear on a declared list. There are NO exceptions to this rule!!

7.      AAA Pete’s teams will AP with the AA Nationals players in their respective age category.

AA teams will AP with the A Nationals teams in their age group

A Nationals team will AP with the AE Nationals in their age group.

AE teams will AP with the house division teams.

Teams may AP with a limited number of underage players.

*** IN ALL CASES, THE TEAM MUST CONTACT THEIR OWN AGE PLAYERS BEFORE GOING TO LOWER AGED LIST PLAYERS! ***

8.      All players, including Affiliates are to be given EQUITABLE ICE TIME.  Equitable is defined as equal over a Maximum of 5 games. EQUAL ice time will apply to exhibition or guaranteed games in a tournament. The Nationals executive will act on any complaint on unfair ice time, practices of favouritism towards team staff member’s children.

9.      The head coach is responsible for enforcement of all OMHA, Nationals rules and regulations including suspensions. Any MATCH penalty or multi-game suspensions must be reported to the appropriate person.

10.  It is mandatory that after December 1 that all teams take bus to and from games of 55 km or more. 

                  NATIONALS ABSOLUTES

The NATIONALS executive has outlined several unconditional rules and guidelines. The responsibility of coaching staff is to look after their own team. The responsibility of the Executive is to direct the organization. Please be aware of these rules and guidelines and adhere to them.

Through full co-operation and working together, we can develop young player’s hockey skills and enjoy a successful hockey season.

1.      Police Checks- The head coach is to provide a police check to the Executive. The other coaching staff members, including the Manager must provide their police checks prior to rostering.

2.      All teams are required to take and budget for buses after December 1.

3.      Any game re-scheduling is only done through the scheduler. Absolutely no game changes are to be made after scheduling, by teams or team officials.

4.      All teams are required to participate in their home early bird tournaments.

5.      All teams are required to report suspensions to their convenor, who will help with interpretation of the rules.

6.      Any team Minor Peewee and above with a female on the team, is expected to have her change in a separate room.

7.      The Nationals dress code is in effect for players and coaching staff home and away. Please note all apparel must have the Nationals Logo...see dress code section

8.      One member of a team`s coaching staff is expected to attend all monthly Nationals meetings.

9.      It is required that the Manager of a Nationals hockey team submits a monthly financial statement to the Nationals Treasurer, on or before the next coaches meeting. No Exceptions.

10.  The Nationals Executive members have appointed very specific jobs. Please respect their position and direct your concerns or enquiry to that appropriate person.

11.  Any concerns or questions the head coach may have should only be directed to your Division Convenor. Please respect the chain of command.

12.  All Nationals coaches are required to wear Nationals Logo on their attire.

13.  It is recommended all coaching staff wear Nationals coloured wind suits during practices.

14.  All Nationals coaching staff members are required to wear helmets while on the ice.

15.  ``Acceptance of Requirements`` page to be completed and submitted.

16.  Absolutely no ice is to be returned to the city, EXCEPT by the Scheduler of the Nationals.

17.  Your Division Convenor must approve all fundraising projects. This Includes tag days, dances, car washes, ECT.

18.  Team Practices ice bills are due upon receipt and must be paid on or before the next monthly meeting.

19.  The consumption of alcohol before, during or after all Nationals away games is prohibited.  Smoking or alcohol is not allowed on the at any time. Any coaching staffs with to reason to believe any parent is intoxicated or has been drinking, may refuse the parent entry on to any Nationals bus. The Nationals executive or coaching staffs does not assume any responsibility for those who wish to disobey our rules.

20.  The consumption of alcohol during all home games is prohibited.  Any coaching staff, Convenor, Executive member or arena staff member, with reason to believe any parent is intoxicated or has been drinking, may refuse the parent entry to any Nationals game or remove them from the ice surface. The Nationals executive or coaching staff does not assume any responsibility for those who wish to disobey our rules.

                                           TEAM FINANCES

1.       All teams shall keep accurate records of all income and expenditures and shall be readily available for inspection or audit by the Nationals Treasurer.

2.       A monthly financial report is absolutely required to the parents of each team and the Nationals treasurer. A final report detailing the entire season shall be submitted to the parents and the Nationals Treasurer.

3.       Team practice ice bills are due upon receipt and must be paid on or before the next monthly meeting.

4.       All fund raising projects including tag days, car washes, dances, ECT. And any events using the Nationals name must be approved prior to event date. These events must also comply with all Nationals rules, provincial laws and licensing requirements.

5.       The Nationals Executive will determine official team sponsorship. Representative teams will be permitted to accept donations, but only with permission of the Nationals Executive.

TEAM STRATEGY

Unsuccessful seasons are the direct result of poor planning or lack of co-operation between some or all team staff members.

More times than not, these problems generally relate to teams where the majority of the staff has children playing. Having children on the team does NOT entitle any staff member to assign extra playing time to only the FAVOURITES.  This will guarantee an end result of many problems. All team staff members should be clearly aware if the Nationals EQUITABLE and EQUAL ICE TIME RULES.

 Each head coach should be willing to remove any individuals who do not conduct themselves in the best interest of the team, or the Nationals organization. If not, the Executive may be forced to remove the person or persons. This may affect the coach s application for the following season.

SOME USUAL SIGNS OF TEAM DIFFICULTIES ARE :

-          Coaching staff children are at a lesser skill level then the rest of the team

-          No long range overall team goal planning

-          Criticizing other staff members behind their back with other team parents.

-          Unwillingness to conduct well planned and executed practices.

-          Hockey systems to the game approach ignored through ignorance or neglect.

-          Favouring certain players.

-          RIGGED elections or appointments of team captains and assistants

-          NO communication with parents and therefore unaware of any problems in the stands

-          Team staff arguing on the bench in front of players.

-          Screaming, swearing, and shouting negative criticisms to players during the games

-          Coaches and players continually heckling referees from the bench

-          OBLIVIOUS to team Dress codes

-          Unequal applications of team rules

-          NO team discipline....on the ice, in the dressing rooms, arena property, or on the bus.

-          Teams vandalizing or causing damage to arena property.

              ****Note: IT IS IN THE BEST INTEREST OF EVERY TEAM TO CAREFULLY PLAN THIER ACTIVITIES AND GOALS FOR THE YEAR AND RELAY THIS INFORMATION TO THE PARENTS AT EVERY OPPORTUNITY. PARENTS WANT TO SEE VALUE FOR THIER LARGE INVESTMENT OVER THE ENTIRE SEASON***