RFH Youth Lacrosse Code of Conduct and Grievance Protocol

CODE OF CONDUCT

This Code of Conduct will address the conduct of players, coaches, parents and administrators who participate in the RFH Youth Lacrosse program.  Players, coaches, parents and administrators are required to exemplify sportsmanship, respect and honor.  They are expected to understand that any time they put on an RFH jersey or attend an RFHYL game as a coach, parent or representative of the program, their actions reflect not only on themselves but also their team, coaches, program, family, school and town. Please note, non conduct related issues that arise from coaching decisions, i.e. playing time, position etc.. and how they are addressed is separate from the Code of Conduct policy.  The non-conduct related grievance policy is described at the end of the document.

Rumson-Fair Haven Youth Lacrosse abides by the US Lacrosse Youth Council Code of Conduct, as well as additional provisions, governing all coaches, players, officials and parents.  The purpose of the code is to ensure that all of those people associated with RFH Youth Lacrosse treat each other, and those associated with opposing programs, with dignity and respect.

The Code of Conduct is a condition of membership for all players, parents, coaches and administrators.  All members who join Rumson-Fair Haven Youth Lacrosse agree to abide by the Code of Conduct and to be subject to the consequences of violating the code.  Every registration for Rumson-Fair Haven Youth Lacrosse includes an acceptance of the Code of Conduct. 

All enforcement decisions made by the officials of Rumson-Fair Haven Youth Lacrosse are final and not subject to review. No refunds will be granted to those players dismissed from the club for violating the Code of Conduct.

I, as a player, coach, parent or spectator, or administrator pledge to conduct myself in a manner that complies with the "Code of Conduct" at all times.  Accordingly, I pledge, in summary, to:

  1. Demonstrate respect to players, coaches, and parents; officials; and spectators;

  2. Uphold the essential elements of the USL Youth Council "Code of Conduct", which are HONESTY and INTEGRITY;

  3. Demonstrate and Encourage good sportsmanship and the concepts of fair play;

  4. Focus on fun and participation;

  5. Know and abide by the Rules of Lacrosse, the established guidelines, and all eligibility requirements;

  6. Understand that the safety and welfare of all concerned is the top priority;

  7. Support the drug, alcohol, and tobacco free environment that is important for all youth sporting events;

  8. Never use profanity at a youth event;

  9. Criticize coaches, players, or game officials;

  10. Contact physically, verbally or through any form of social or written media an opposing player, coach, or game official in a threatening manner.

PLAYER:

As a player in the RFH Youth lacrosse program I pledge that I will be responsible for my words and actions while participating in practices, games, tournaments and associated events and shall conform to the specified code of conduct.

CONDUCT RELATED TO ORGANIZED EVENTS (Games, Practices, Clinics or any associated event)

I hereby agree that as a participant/player in the RFH Youth Lacrosse program:

  1. I will not engage in unsportsmanlike conduct with any coach, parent, player, participant, official or any other attendee.
  2. I will not encourage any other person to engage in unsportsmanlike conduct with any coach, parent, player, participant, official or any other attendee.
  3. I will not engage in any behavior which would endanger the health, safety, or well-being of any coach, parent, player, participant, official or any other attendee.
  4. I will not encourage any other person to engage in any behavior which would endanger the health, safety, or well-being of any coach, parent, player, participant, official or any other attendee.
  5. I will not use drugs or alcohol while at a sports event and will not attend, coach, officiate or participate in a youth sports event while under the influence of drugs or alcohol.
  6. I will not encourage any other person to use drugs or alcohol at a youth sports event and will not encourage any other person to attend, coach, officiate or participate in a youth sports event while under the influence of drugs or alcohol.
  7. I will not engage in the use of profanity.
  8. I will not encourage any other person to engage in the use of profanity.
  9. I will treat any coach, parent, player, participant, official or any other attendee with respect regardless of race, creed, color, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation or ability.
  10. I will encourage others to treat any coach, parent, player, participant, official or any other attendee with respect regardless of race, creed, color, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation or ability.
  11. I will not engage in verbal or physical threats or abuse aimed at any coach, parent, player, participant, official or any other attendee.
  12. I will not encourage any other person to engage in verbal or physical threats or abuse aimed at any coach, parent, player, participant, official or any other attendee.
  13. I will not initiate a fight or scuffle with any coach, parent, player, participant, official or any other attendee.
  14.  I will not encourage any other person to initiate a fight or scuffle with any coach, parent, player, participant, official or any other attendee

 

PARENT:

As a parent of a player in the RFH Youth lacrosse program I pledge that I will be responsible for my words and actions while attending practices, games, tournaments, associated events and any interaction with members of RFHYL or opposing programs, and shall conform to the specified code of conduct.

CONDUCT RELATED TO ORGANIZED EVENTS (Games, Practices, Clinics or any associated event)

  1. I will not engage in unsportsmanlike conduct with any coach, parent, player, participant, official or any other attendee.
  2. I will not encourage any other person to engage in unsportsmanlike conduct with any coach, parent, player, participant, official or any other attendee.
  3. I will not engage in any behavior which would endanger the health, safety, or well-being of any coach, parent, player, participant, official or any other attendee.
  4. I will not encourage any other person to engage in any behavior which would endanger the health, safety, or well-being of any coach, parent, player, participant, official or any other attendee.
  5. I will not use drugs or alcohol while at a sports event and will not attend, coach, officiate or participate in a youth sports event while under the influence of drugs or alcohol.
  6. I will not encourage any other person to use drugs or alcohol at a youth sports event and will not encourage any other person to attend, coach, officiate or participate in a youth sports event while under the influence of drugs or alcohol.
  7. I will not engage in the use of profanity.
  8. I will not encourage any other person to engage in the use of profanity.
  9. I will treat any coach, parent, player, participant, official or any other attendee with respect regardless of race, creed, color, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation or ability.
  10. I will encourage others to treat any coach, parent, player, participant, official or any other attendee with respect regardless of race, creed, color, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation or ability.
  11. I will not engage in verbal or physical threats or abuse aimed at any coach, parent, player, participant, official or any other attendee.
  12. I will not encourage any other person to engage in verbal or physical threats or abuse aimed at any coach, parent, player, participant, official or any other attendee.
  13. I will not initiate a fight or scuffle with any coach, parent, player, participant, official or any other attendee.
  14. I will not encourage any other person to initiate a fight or scuffle with any coach, parent, player, participant, official or any other attendee.
  15. I understand that as a parent I need to set an example for players and parents of both RFHYL and opposing programs for exemplary behavior.

 

COACH/ADMINISTRATOR:

I as a coach and/or administrator in the RFH Youth Lacrosse program I pledge that I will be responsible for my words and actions while coaching and performing all other duties that may be associated with my role as a coach or administrator within RFHYL, and shall conform my behavior to the specified code of conduct.

I. CONDUCT RELATED TO ORGANIZED EVENTS (Games, Practices, Clinics or any associated event)

I hereby agree that if I am volunteering as a COACH, ASSISTANT COACH and/ or ADMINISTRATOR:

  1. I will not engage in unsportsmanlike conduct with any coach, parent, player, participant, official or any other attendee.
  2. I will not encourage any other person to engage in unsportsmanlike conduct with any coach, parent, player, participant, official or any other attendee.
  3.  I will not engage in any behavior which would endanger the health, safety, or well-being of any coach, parent, player, participant, official or any other attendee.
  4. I will not encourage any other person to engage in any behavior which would endanger the health, safety, or well-being of any coach, parent, player, participant, official or any other attendee.
  5. I will not use drugs or alcohol while at a sports event and will not attend, coach, officiate or participate in a youth sports event while under the influence of drugs or alcohol.
  6. I will not encourage any other person to use drugs or alcohol at a youth sports event and will not encourage any other person to attend, coach, officiate or participate in a youth sports event while under the influence of drugs or alcohol.
  7. I will not engage in the use of profanity.
  8. I will not encourage any other person to engage in the use of profanity.
  9. I will treat any coach, parent, player, participant, official or any other attendee with respect regardless of race, creed, color, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation or ability.
  10. I will encourage others to treat any coach, parent, player, participant, official or any other attendee with respect regardless of race, creed, color, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation or ability.
  11. I will not engage in verbal or physical threats or abuse aimed at any coach, parent, player, participant, official or any other attendee.
  12. I will not encourage any other person to engage in verbal or physical threats or abuse aimed at any coach, parent, player, participant, official or any other attendee.
  13. I will not initiate a fight or scuffle with any coach, parent, player, participant, official or any other attendee.
  14.  I will not encourage any other person to initiate a fight or scuffle with any coach, parent, player, participant, official or any other attendee.
  15. I understand that as a coach and or administrator I need to set an example for players and parents for exemplary behavior.

 

II. CONDUCT RELATED TO INTERACTION WITH PLAYERS

I hereby agree that if I am volunteering as a COACH or ASSISTANT COACH,

  1. I will avoid situations where I am alone with a child.
  2. I will use positive reinforcement rather than criticism.
  3. I will not smoke or use tobacco products in the presence of children.
  4. I will cooperate fully in any investigation of abuse of children.
  5. I will not strike, spank, or slap any children.
  6. I will not touch a child in a sexual or otherwise inappropriate manner

III. CONDUCT RELATED TO CERTIFICATION AND ORGANIZATIONAL POLICY

I hereby state that if I am volunteering as a COACH or ASSISTANT COACH:

  1. I will agree to a complete background check.
  2. I will agree to meet all certification requirements set forth by federal and state law, RFH Youth Lacrosse and/or the recreation departments of both Rumson and Fair Haven. Currently, the Rutgers certificate, and valid, updated US Lacrosse membership is required for participation as a coach.  Although not currently required a Level 1 certification from US Lacrosse is strongly encouraged.  The Board is considering Level 1 certification as a requirement for the future.
  3. I will agree to NOT schedule games, scrimmages, practices or any other organized lacrosse activities without the express consent of the RFHYL Board of Trustees and the RFH Youth Lacrosse Scheduling Committee.
  4. I will agree to NOT act in any manner that is contradictory to the policies set forth by the RFH Youth Lacrosse Board of Trustees, the RFH Youth Lacrosse Steering committee, or any other committee assigned to carry out the mission of RFH Youth Lacrosse.
  5. I will agree to bring any grievances I may have in accordance with the protocol set forth for the hearing of such grievances.

Agreement for all/ disciplinary action

I hereby agree that if I fail to conform my conduct to the foregoing while participating in or attending a RFH Youth Lacrosse event or performing any duties or attending any event associated with RFH Youth Lacrosse I will be subject to disciplinary action, including but not limited to the following in any order or combination:

  1. Verbal warning issued by the RFHYL Board of Trustees and/or any league, organization or school official who is authorized to issue such a warning by a school board or youth sports organization.
  2. Written warning issued by RFHYL Board of Trustees and/or any league, organization or school official who is authorized to issue such a warning by a school board or youth sports organization.
  3. Suspension or immediate ejection from a youth sports event issued by the RFHYL Board of Trustees and/or any league, organization or school official who is authorized to issue such a suspension by a school board or youth sports organization.
  4. Suspension from multiple youth sports events issued by the RFHYL Board of Trustees or any league, organization or school official who is authorized to issue such suspension by a school board or youth sports organization.
  5. Season suspension or multiple season suspension issued by the RFHYL Board of Trustees or any league, organization or school official who is authorized to issue such suspension.
  6. There will be NO financial reimbursement for suspension or dismissal from the RFHYL program.

NO COACH, PLAYER, PARENT OR ADMINISTRATOR WILL BE PERMITTED TO PARTICIPATE IN RFH YOUTH LACROSSE WITHOUT AGREEING TO THIS CODE OF CONDUCT IN ITS ENTIRETY

GRIEVANCE PROTOCOL

Rumson Fair Haven Youth Lacrosse Association has implemented a grievance process to give a player, parent, coach, administrator or official a forum to have their complaint heard and acted upon, if warranted, by the RFHYL Grievance Committee (consisting of three members, including a RFHYL Board of Directors trustee). Specifically, if someone has a grievance, they are to submit their complaint to Rumson Fair Haven Youth Lacrosse Association within seven days of the event giving rise to the complaint. The grievance committee will review the complaint, conduct an appropriate investigation, and make an appropriate response to the complaint. The grievance committee's decision is the final decision in all cases.

Grievance Process:

  1. The person(s) filing the grievance will submit the complaint to the Rumson Fair Haven Youth Lacrosse Grievance Committee within seven days of the event giving rise to the complaint.
  2. The grievance committee will review the complaint, conduct an investigation as necessary, and determine:
    1. The appropriateness of the complaint
    2. How to respond to the grievant
    3. What action, if any, will be taken by RFHYL
  3. For a grievance filing to be considered admissible, all sections of the Formal Grievance Form must be completed:
    1. Incomplete grievance filings (not providing requested information) will be returned with a request for the missing required information.
    2. The grievance filing will not be accepted and the required time line (see below) will not apply until all the required information is received
  4. The RFHYL Grievance Committee will respond and act as necessary within twenty (20) days of the filing of the grievance:

 

Rules Governing Grievances:

  1. A grievance must:
    1. be submitted to the Grievance Committee of RFH Youth Lacrosse by a person who is not acting in violation of the RFHYL Code of Conduct;
    2.  allege a violation of a specific provision of the RFHYL Parents and Players Code of Conduct, the RFHYL Coaches/Administrators Code of Conduct, a specific rule governing the RFH Youth Lacrosse Association, or a local, state or federal law;
    3. be preceded by the grievant bringing the incident to the attention of a RFHYL coach or a RFHYL committee person or board member;
    4. be presented in writing using the Formal Grievance Form and signed by the grievant, explaining the nature of the grievance and the circumstances, identifying all witnesses to the incident giving rise to the grievance, and indicating the specific provision of the RFHYL Parents and Players Code of Conduct, the RFHYL Coaches Code of Conduct, specific rule governing the RFH Youth Lacrosse Association, or a local, state or federal law that was allegedly violated;
    5. be submitted no later than 7 days after the occurrence of the incident that gives rise to the grievance.
  2. A code of conduct grievance shall not challenge a coaching decision.  A coaching decision means all discretionary decisions not mandated by a specific rule governing play, including, but not limited to, any decision concerning position assignments, starting assignments and lacrosse strategy and tactics.
  3.  The person subject of the grievance will have an opportunity to respond to the grievant’s allegations in writing. The response will be reviewed by the RFHYL Grievance Committee and considered accordingly in the final decision concerning the grievance.
  4. The RFHYL Grievance Committee shall: (i) provide the party subject to the grievance with a copy of it and provide that party with an opportunity to respond to the grievant’s allegations; (ii) speak to all parties and identified witnesses concerning the incident giving rise to the grievance; (iii) notify the RFHYL Grievance Committee of the grievance; and (iv) endeavor to resolve and rule on the grievance within twenty (20) days of its submission.  If the grievance raises a question concerning the physical safety of participants, the Grievance Committee may initiate a more expedient process for resolving the grievance, including, but not limited to, a special meeting of the Board of Trustees to address it.
  5. The RFHYL Grievance Committee shall keep grievances, and documents submitted in connection with them, confidential to the RFHYL Board of Trustees, the parties, and the witnesses.
  6. The decision of the Grievance Committee resolving and ruling upon a grievance shall be final and shall be communicated in writing to the parties.

The RFHYL Grievance Committee shall have the authority to take appropriate disciplinary action if they rule, at the completion of the grievance-review process, that a violation of a specific provision of the RFHYL Parents and Players Code of Conduct, the RFHYL Coaches Code of Conduct, a specific rule governing the RFH Youth Lacrosse Association, or a local, state or federal law has occurred, including, but not limited to the following action in any order or combination:

  1. verbal warning;
  2. written warning;
  3. suspension from games or other lacrosse-related events or activities;
  4. season or multiple-season suspension from participation in games or other lacrosse-related events or activities; and
  5. permanent expulsion from participation in games or other lacrosse-related events or activities.

NON-CONDUCT RELATED GRIEVANCE:

This section relates to disagreement with coaching decisions outside of the conduct policy.

If a player/parent has a grievance with a coach or coaching decision:

The player/parent must wait 24 hours from the initiation of the grievance to address the coach.  After the 24 hr period, the first person to address the coach is the player.  If the player or parent is not satisfied with the response/explanation from the coach, then the parent may address the coach directly after requesting a meeting either verbally or in writing.  If the player/parent are still not satisfied they may file a grievance with the Grievance Committee.  Any breach of protocol for addressing a complaint may result in non – refundable player expulsion from RFH Youth Lacrosse.

 

I agree to abide by and uphold all applicable conditions whether as a player, parent, coach or administrator specified in the above stated "Code of Conduct" and "Non-Conduct Related Code" and understand that violating this Code either by commission or omission will be subject to penalties as stated in the in the "Code of Conduct" which has been provided.

 

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About RFH Youth Lacrosse

We provide a fun, safe, instructive, competitive environment for any boy in grades Kindergarten through 12th and any eligible girl in grades 5th -8th who lives in Rumson/Fair Haven and who wants to learn, and participate in, the sport of lacrosse. RFH Lacrosse Youth Lacrosse is a registered 501c3 and completely parent/donor funded.

Contact Info

rfhylacrosse@gmail.com        Boys program

rfhyouthgirlslacrosse@gmail.com Girls program

P.O.  Box 465
Rumson, NJ 07760

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