Seacoast Spartans Policies

Organizational Policies

  • Playing Time Policy
    • Mites and Squirts: During regular season play, all players will receive equal playing time, with the exception of the Six-Minute Rule. The six-minute rule allows the coach to play whomever he wants in any situation in the game.
    • Peewees and Bantams: During regular season play, all players will receive equal playing time, with the exception of the Eight-Minute Rule. The eight-minute rule allows the coach to play whomever he wants in any situation in the game. This rule is for any EHF game, scrimmage or tournament game except where noted differently below:

**Coaches will be given a free-hand with the playing time during EHF, State, Regional, and National tournaments; cross-over playoff games of any invitational tournament; or a regular season game that requires a win to qualify for a tournament birth.

Coaches have the authority to sit any player to maintain on/off-ice discipline.  Players losing ice time for a disciplinary reason is completely independent of the Six-Minute and Eight-Minute Rule.

  • Complaints/Issues with the Spartans Program
    • Unless you have been notified of a different process specifically for your respective team, if you have a concern/issue with your team or the Spartans organization, you should contact the Team Manager of your team.  If you have an issue, you are required to wait 24-hours from the time of the incident (See 24-Hour Rule below).  You are to request a time to speak/meet with the Team Manager to discuss your concern.  Do not confront the coach or the Team Manager at the rink, do not leave a detailed voice message, and do not write a detailed email stating your concern.  Set up a time to meet and then discuss the issue at that time with the Team Manager. Once you have met with your Team Manager and the Team Manager feels that the issue should be discussed with your Head coach a meeting will be set up with your Head Coach. If once you have met with both the Team Manager and Head Coach and the Issue cannot be resolved. A meeting with our Parent representative will be scheduled on a Tuesday or Thursday evening. Once you have met with the Parent representative he will then discuss the issue with the Spartans program director, to discuss further action and resolution. Any parent, who confronts a coach with an issue, unless the coach has previously agreed to discuss the matter, is subject to disciplinary action from the Seacoast Spartans organization.

If you do feel the need to raise a concern/issue, please be mindful to present the concern/issue in a mature and responsible manner.  Failure to do so may result in disciplinary action.

If you feel that a specific item/concern is too sensitive to bring up to the Team Manager or you are uncomfortable making the Team Manager your first contact, you have the option of contacting the Seacoast Spartans Parent Representative.

The Seacoast Spartans Parent Representative is Dan Bono.  Dan’s contact information is as follows:

Email:       nne4dxb@gmail.com

Cell:          (603) 702-1986

The Seacoast Spartans Parent Representative is there to assist parents if they have a concern/issue.

If you believe that your issue has not been resolved in a satisfactory manner, you can then contact the Seacoast Spartan Director.  If there is any issue that jeopardizes the safety or well-being of your child, the Seacoast Spartans Director should be contacted immediately.

Seacoast Spartans Operations Manager

Kurt Mallett

Email:  kurtm@therinksatexeter.com

Phone: (207) 408-4106

  • 24-Hour Rule:

If you do have an issue you are required to wait a minimum of 24-hours from the time of the “incident”.  This policy is in place to protect you.  Waiting 24-hours often takes a lot of the initial emotion out of the concern.  If you do not wait the required 24-hours, you will be subject to disciplinary action.

  • Parent Behavior

The Spartans organization expects the Seacoast Spartans parents to behave in an exemplary manner at all times in the arena and parking lot before and after games (this includes hotels, restaurants and other recreational venues).  Cheering for good play is fine.  If you do not have something positive to say, don’t say it.  Do not get into verbal confrontations with parents from other teams – remove yourself from the situation.  Do not shout your disapproval over officiating or coaching decisions.  Do not coach your kids from the stands.  Do not openly criticize any players, regardless of whether or not it is your child.

  • Disciplinary Action / USA Hockey Zero Tolerance Policy

The following is USA Hockey’s Zero Tolerance Policy relating to parents:

PARENTS/SPECTATORS

On-ice officials will stop the game when the parents/spectators displaying inappropriate and disruptive behavior interfere with other spectators or the game. The on-ice officials will identify violators to the coaches for the purpose of removing parents/spectators from the spectators viewing and game area. Once removed, play will resume. Lost time will not be replaced and violators may be subject to further disciplinary action by the local governing body. This inappropriate and disruptive behavior shall include:

  • Use of obscene or vulgar language in a boisterous manner to anyone at anytime.
  • Taunting of players, coaches, officials, or other spectators by means of baiting, ridiculing, and/or threatening of physical violence or physical violence.
  • Throwing of any object in the spectators viewing area, player’s bench, penalty box or on-ice surface, directed in any manner as to create a safety hazard.

Violations of USA Hockey’s Zero Tolerance Policy by parents, coaches or players, will be taken VERY seriously by the Seacoast Spartans organization. 

  • Player Behavior

The Spartans organization expects the Seacoast Spartans players to behave in an exemplary manner at all times in the arena, locker room, lobby, Hotel, parking lot before and after games. The Spartans have a Zero tolerance policy for Bullying or racial slurs.  We expect all Spartans players to respect their coaches, teammates (including all Spartans players regardless of what team they are on), opponents, and referees.

  • Player Positions

The coaching staff will determine the position that your child plays.

  • Practice Players

The Seacoast Spartans may have players that practice with our teams that are not part of our game rosters.

  • Alternates and Practice players

The Seacoast Spartans teams will have alternates and practice players that participate on our teams.  Alternates will play games when needed. The coaching staff solely decides the use of alternates. If an alternate is participating in a game, that player is considered a full member of the team for that game played.

  • Dress Code

For all games, scrimmages, and tournaments unless otherwise noted by the head coach or Spartans Director, Seacoast Spartans players will wear Spartans issued Sweat Suits and Sneakers. (NO Exceptions) Earrings and other facial jewelry are prohibited (girls in the Spartans program can wear earrings to games).

*Practice uniforms: all players have been issued a practice jersey and socks. Spartans attire is MANDATORY for all practices or skills sessions.

“* Equipment: All Spartans players MUST have Black helmets, gloves (black and white or black and red are fine) and approved Bauer Spartan pants.

  • Website

All Spartans practices and off-ice schedules have been added to all of the Spartans team pages. Once the game schedules are finalized we will add a link to the EHF website. Games will not be added to the Spartans daily schedule as many game times and dates change throughout the year. The Spartans will be looking for 1-2 web volunteers per team to update and manage their team pages of the website. (photo’s, news, etc)

  • Cell Phones, Cameras, other Recording Devices

The use of cell phones, cameras, or any other device that can take still pictures or record audio or video is prohibited by any Seacoast Spartans player in the locker-room.  If a Spartans player needs to carry a cell phone for emergency purposes, the phone will be turned off prior to entering the locker-room.  If the Spartans player needs to use the phone in an emergency situation, the player will:

  1. Ask permission from their coach to use the phone.
  2. Leave the locker-room before they turn their phone on.
  3. Turn their cell-phone off before re-entering the locker-room.

Failure to comply with this will policy may result is disciplinary action ranging from a verbal warning to permanent termination from the Seacoast Spartans program.

  • Apparel

No one is required to purchase any Seacoast Spartans apparel.

No one is to order any Seacoast Spartans apparel that is not approved by the Seacoast Spartans.  The Spartans name and logos are property of the Seacoast Spartans and cannot be used without permission.

  • Vacations      

Please do not schedule family vacations from late February through mid-March.  These are the times when we will be participating in our season ending tournaments and we need all players present and prepared.  For new families to the Spartans program this year, if you have already made plans you do not have to cancel them.  Please be aware of this policy if you remain with the Spartans program in the future.

  • No Parents in the Locker-room

Unless previously agreed to by the head coach, parents are not allowed in the locker-rooms or locker-room area.  Exceptions are usually made at the younger levels to assist in getting the kids dressed.  However, a parent is never allowed in a locker unless there is a coach or “screened locker-room monitor” present in the locker-room.

  • Fall Sports

The Seacoast Spartans organization allows players to participate in fall sports that may result in players missing some Spartans events.

  • Attendance

Unless you have a fall sports conflict or other valid reason (illness, family function/emergency, school requirement), your child is required to attend all Spartans events.  Missing practices/games for unexcused reasons may result in your child being subject to disciplinary action.

  • Inclement Weather / Cancellations

In general, the Seacoast Spartans do not cancel many events due to weather.

Practices:  If the arena is open, we will have practice.  If the roads are bad, we will often send out an email to all teams and post on the home page of our website that the practice is optional.

Games:  If a game is cancelled, teams will be sent an email and it will be posted on the home page of our website.  Unless you hear otherwise, assume there is a game.

Note:  Because we have Spartans families from a very large geographic radius including NH, Maine, Massachusetts and Vermont, weather conditions can vary for each family.  If you feel the roads are too treacherous to travel, it is ultimately your decision as to whether or not you travel to attend the event.

  • Other Hockey Teams

No Seacoast Spartans player can participate for another hockey organization unless the Spartans Management gives permission.  Some specific examples:

Alternates for other teams: To be an alternate for another youth hockey team you need permission from the Spartans Director and you can never miss any Spartans event to play for your secondary team.

Middle School hockey:  Spartans players are allowed to play for their middle school hockey teams.  Spartans players do NOT need permission from the Spartans Director to participate in Middle School Hockey.  However, Spartans players cannot miss any Seacoast Spartans event (game, practice, meeting, etc.) unless given permission by the head coach and Spartans Director.  Any player that misses a Spartans event because of middle school hockey, without permission from the head coach and Spartans Director, is subject to disciplinary action.

  • Compliance

Failure to comply with the above policies and rules or acting in a manner that risks the safety of a player, coach, parent, official or administrator or compromises the integrity/reputation of the Seacoast Spartan organization may result in disciplinary action. The disciplinary action could range from a verbal warning to permanent termination from the program.

ZERO TOLERANCE

The Seacoast Spartans fully endorse USA Hockey’s Zero Tolerance Policy Regarding Parents & Spectators.

On-ice officials will stop the game when the parents/spectators displaying inappropriate and disruptive behavior interfere with other spectators or participants of the game. The on-ice officials will identify violators to the coaches for the purpose of removing parents/spectators from the spectator’s viewing and game area. Once removed, play will resume. Lost time will not be replaced and violators may be subject to further disciplinary action by the local governing body. This inappropriate and disruptive behavior shall include:

  • Using obscene or vulgar language in a boisterous manner to anyone at any time.
  • Taunting players, coaches, officials or other spectators by means of baiting, ridiculing, threatening physical violence, or physical violence.
  • Throwing any object in the spectator’s viewing area, players bench, penalty box or the on-ice surface, that in any manner creates a safety hazard.

Any violators will be escorted from the facility and not allowed to return until the next day.

Please enjoy the game and support all players, coaches and officials.

It’s just a game…a wonderful game at that!

COACHES PLEDGE

The Coach’s Pledge extends beyond the knowledge of coaching hockey and reaches into the life of each of his/her players. It is one of the most important responsibilities of the coach and involves at least the same level of commitment that coaches expect of their players. Mutual respect and team membership are to be expected equally of player and coach and, for the coach, involve the following promises:

As a coach, I promise:

  1. To be a model of appropriate language and behavior.
  2. To respect and dignify each of my players as an individual.
  3. To promote the safety of each player and to ask no more in practice, competition, or training than each is capable of delivering.
  4. To promote the conditions and circumstances that encourages each player to realize his or her full potential.
  5. To impose time demands that acknowledges the primary importance of each player’s academic and family responsibilities.
  6. To promote among all players and coaches a solid sense of team membership.
  7. To reflect in my coaching the best and most recent thinking and strategy in the game of hockey.
  8. To assist, whenever appropriate and mutually convenient, with the future planning of each player’s hockey career.
  9. To be available to parents and league directors at times that are mutually agreed upon.
  10. To fully support and comply with the USA Hockey’s Zero Tolerance Policy.

PARENT CODE OF CONDUCT

The Parent Code of Conduct applies to all practices, games, tournaments, clinics and any other related activity that your son or daughter’s team is participating in with the Seacoast Spartans. It is the parent or guardian’s responsibility to behave appropriately and respectfully toward all players, coaches, parents, spectators, officials or employees and property of any facility where events are being held. Failure to comply with this code of conduct may result in expulsion from the Seacoast Spartans without refund. As a parent/guardian, I pledge:

  1. To refrain from using obscene or vulgar language in a boisterous manner to anyone at any time.
  2. To refrain from taunting players, parents, spectators, facility employees, coaches or officials by means of baiting, ridiculing, criticizing, threatening physical violence or enacting physical violence.
  3. To refrain from throwing any object in the spectators’ viewing area, players’ bench, penalty box, locker room, the on-ice surface or anywhere on the premises of a facility where an event is held that in any manner creates a safety hazard.
  4. To fully support and positively reinforce the efforts and feedback of the team coaches. This means refraining from interfering with coaching activities—let the coaches do their jobs.
  5. To refrain from contacting the team coach for 24 hours following the completion of a game.
  6. To fully support and comply with USA Hockey’s Zero Tolerance Policy.

PLAYERS CODE OF CONDUCT

  1. Players must always represent the Seacoast Spartans with class and dignity.
  2. Players will accept and will not dispute or argue any decision by an official or coach. Players will respect the coaches, teammates, parents, opponents, spectators, facility employees and officials and understand that at no time is it appropriate to challenge decisions.
  3. Players must always display good sportsmanship and play in the spirit of the game. Players actions must never deliberately jeopardize the safety and well being of opponents, teammates, officials, spectators, coaches or any other individual.
  4. Players must strive to be a team player.
  5. Players will control their tempers on and off the ice. Obscene/abusive language and inappropriate behavior will notbe tolerated in or around the rink.
  6. Work hard, play for fun and always be a good sport.