Policies > Code of Conduct for Parents / Guardians
Expectations
As a parent/guardian of a Castletroy Hockey Club player, you are expected to:
- Respect the rules and procedures of hockey, and support the ethos of Castletroy Hockey Club.
- Respect your child’s teammates, coaches, managers, volunteers, officials, and other parents, as well as opposition players, coaches, and supporters.
- Encourage your child to treat other participants, coaches, Children’s Officers, officials, selectors, and managers with respect.
- Give encouragement and applaud only positive accomplishments whether from your child, their teammates, opponents, or officials.
- Support your child’s leaders and respect their decisions.
- Respect the authority of match officials, coaches, and volunteers during all club activities and competitions under the auspices of Hockey Ireland.
- Never demonstrate threatening or abusive behaviour or use foul or inappropriate language.
Protection of Coaches and Volunteers
Parents/guardians are reminded that coaches, managers, and volunteers give their time freely to support the development of players and the club. Accordingly:
- Verbal abuse, bullying, or harassment of coaches, managers, volunteers, or officials will not be tolerated, whether it occurs pitch-side, over the phone, by email, text message, WhatsApp, or any other medium.
- Parents/guardians must communicate with coaches and volunteers in a respectful and constructive manner at all times.
Misconduct and Discipline
Where a parent or guardian engages in behaviour that breaches this Code of Conduct, Castletroy Hockey Club will use a graduated response to ensure fairness and transparency. Decisions at each stage will be made by the Club Committee at a minuted meeting.
- Initial Warning – The parent/guardian will be contacted formally by a club official (e.g., Club Chairperson, Children’s Officer, or relevant committee member) to outline the concerns and remind them of the Code of Conduct.
- Restrictions on Contact – If inappropriate behaviour continues, the committee may decide that the parent/guardian is no longer permitted to directly contact coaches, managers, or volunteers. Communication may instead be required through a designated club contact.
- Suspension from Attendance – If misconduct persists, the committee may decide to restrict the parent/guardian from attending matches or training sessions for a period of time.
- Membership Consequences – In cases of repeated or severe misconduct, the committee may decide to refuse or revoke membership for the player and/or their family.
The committee will always consider each stage in order, progressing to the next step only if the previous step has not resolved the issue.
Relationship to Wider Hockey Policies
This Code of Conduct is not exclusive. It operates in addition to, and in support of, any codes of conduct and disciplinary policies issued by Munster Hockey and Hockey Ireland. Parents/guardians are expected to familiarise themselves with and adhere to those policies as part of their membership of Castletroy Hockey Club.
Last Updated: 29th August 2025
