Spectator Code of Conduct

This Zero Tolerance Spectator Conduct Policy (hereinafter “Policy”) aims to eliminate inappropriate,

disruptive and abusive behavior by spectators directed at rink employees, game officials, players,

coaches, spectators and other participants during Capital Amateur Hockey Association (CAHA)

(hereinafter “Association”) sanctioned events.

A spectator shall include any parent, sibling, family member of a participant or fan of a team, or

Association (hereinafter “Spectator”). Should any Spectator be removed from a USAH sanctioned

event or later be found to have used inappropriate, disruptive and abusive behavior (described below

in Items 1 through 3, (hereinafter “Abusive Conduct”) towards rink employees, officials, players,

coaches, spectators or other participants at a USAH sanctioned event, that Spectator shall be subject

to disciplinary action as prescribed below.

1. Use of obscene, profane, or abusive language or gestures towards ice rink employees, officials,

players, coaches, spectators or other participants.

2. Taunting of ice rink employees, officials, players, coaches, spectators or other participants by

means of baiting, ridiculing, threat of physical violence or physical violence.

3. Throwing any object in the spectators’ viewing area, players’ bench, penalty box or on ice surface,

directed in any manner as to create a safety hazard.

Spectators shall be subject to the following disciplinary action whether the removal is by a game

official, security personnel, facility personnel, or Association personnel, or if the alleged Abusive

Conduct is investigated after the fact by the Association and or USAH and found to be true according

to the following evidentiary standard. If, after removal or upon investigation after the fact, such alleged

Abusive Conduct is found to have occurred by a preponderance of evidence, the following disciplinary

action shall be imposed on the Spectator(s) that were removed and/or found to have committed

Abusive Conduct during a USAH sanctioned event. Disciplinary action will be handled by the specific

organization the spectator is associated with.

DISCIPLINARY ACTION:

First Offense - a suspension from all events involving the Association for a

minimum of fourteen (14) days to a maximum of thirty (30) days.

Second Offense - a suspension from all events involving the Association

for a minimum of thirty (30) days to a maximum of one hundred twenty

(120) days.

All suspension periods shall run from the date of the incident in question.

DESIGNATION OF SPECTATOR MONITOR:

Each member of the Association shall participate as a “see something, say something”

parent/spectator monitor during all USAH sanctioned events. Any member of the organization can

and will address inappropriate spectator behavior when safe to do so prior to the situation escalating

to the point that it has an impact on the game by notifying security personnel and/or facility personnel.

When playing in home rinks, the Chiller facilities have a chain of command in place such that the

manager on duty is notified, will attempt de-escalation and finally notification of local authorities if

necessary as per their policy. When playing at away rinks a similar process will be in place.

Members of the Association that “see something/say something” shall have the full support of the

association and may call on facility management and/or game security to remove any spectator in

violation of this policy.

The Association with the support of team managers and coaching staff shall be responsible for

continual education/reinforcement on appropriate spectator behavior as well as resources for

appropriate chain of command for the Association.

REPORTING:

Allegations of Abusive Conduct shall be reported using the attached Incident Report Form. The

identity of reporters will be kept confidential. However, reporters must provide their name and valid

contact information. Anonymous reports, especially those presented without corroborating evidence

such as video, may not be to be acted upon at the sole discretion of your association.

The association will forward all Spectator Incident Report Forms to the Mid-Am District

(administrator@midamhockey.com) for the establishment of a record regarding the incident alleged.