OFFICIAL POLICY MANUAL
SECTION 1: MISSION STATEMENT
Our mission is to prepare and develop our players for success throughout their minor hockey career and beyond, helping them to learn important life skills on and off the ice while ensuring that all children have an equal and fair opportunity to play hockey. Great emphasis is placed on encouraging our players to realize their full potential as both athletes and students. In order to achieve our goals we strive to provide quality hockey training programs while creating a positive environment that promotes fair play and leadership skills so as to develop self confidence in all of our players. The Toronto Shamrocks will provide a positive atmosphere to all kids, coaches and parents.
SECTION 2: THESE RULES OF OPERATION
These rules of operation are intended to set out the current policies of the Club which will be applicable to the Teams and its players during this period. While they are intended to be comprehensive, the Rules and policies are not exhaustive and the Club reserves the right, in its discretion, to make such changes and additions from time to time as it deems appropriate. Notice of any changes and/or additions will be given to Team officials and, when appropriate, directly to parents/guardians on a timely basis.
SECTION 3: THE CLUB
3.1 Incorporation
The Toronto Shamrocks are incorporated as a not-for-profit corporation operating in the province of Ontario. As a not-for-profit corporation the Club adheres to all Government regulations as well as the rules and by laws as set forth in the Greater Toronto Hockey League (GTHL).
3.2 Club Directors and Officials
The Club is governed by a Board of Directors, some of whom also act as Club Officials.
Club directors are primarily responsible for reviewing the general performance of the Club and its teams from time to time. This includes reviewing and approving:
Club Directors have no direct responsibility for liaising or interacting with Team Officials and parents/guardians and do not deal directly with Team affairs.
Club Officials, including the General Manager, are responsible for administering the day to day operations of the Club and its Teams and all other matters in any way relating to the GTHL, its members, other hockey organizations and governing bodies.
3.3 Teams Registered within the GTHL
Under no circumstances will the Club be responsible for any obligations, financial or otherwise, incurred by a Team, unless such obligation is approved in writing and contained in a document signed by the President and at least one other authorized officer of the Club.
3.4 Club Organization
3.5 Registration Fees, Equipment Fees and Team Sponsorship
From Minor Atom- Midget Jr. A & AA registration fees for the 2022-23 season are based on 17 players per team. Cost is $1775.00 per player registration. Unless otherwise agreed upon.
3.6 Club name & logo
There shall be no usage of any kind whatsoever of the club logo or name by any person without the prior written approval of the club. All logoed merchandise must be purchased from suppliers approved by the club.
3.7 Summary Financial Statements
Summary financial statements are filed with the GTHL at the conclusion of the financial year end.
3.8 GTHL Assessed Team Fines
All teams are responsible for any and all damage done by their team to any GTHL game arena or any practice facility. If a team does not pay said fines, all players and coaches will be suspended at year end until fines are paid in full as per GTHL rules.
3.9 Tournaments
As per GTHL rules all teams may participate in up to 2 tournaments per year, excluding preseason early bird tournaments and Xmas tournaments (for the 2022-23 season, the Xmas tournament will be considered as 1 of the 2 tournaments allowed to participate in).
3.10 Unpaid Player Fees
3.11 Coaches certification, trainer’s certification, abuse and harassment training
All coaches, trainers, managers and team officials must have proper NCCP accreditation. Coaches coaching Minor Atom-Peewee may have Level 1 “Coach level” certification. Head Coaches coaching Minor Bantam and up must have Coaching Level 2 “Intermediate Level” prior to the start of every season.
Every team must have a certified trainer.
Every team may card up to five officials being: A Head Coach, One or Two Assistant Coaches, A Trainer and a Team Manager. All carded officials must take their abuse and harassment training course. Each team is responsible for all costs relating to these certification programs. The Club will reimburse one member of the officials for the cost of the course after the completion of 3 seasons with the club.
3.12 Club Colours & Equipment
SECTION 4: TEAM OFFICIAL CODE
4.1 Definition of Team Officials
Team officials are defined as any GTHL carded Team staff member that has been properly carded by the Club and the GTHL. Specifically they are to be known as the Head Coach, Assistant Coach(s), Trainer and Team Manager. Team officials shall not number more than five.
4.2 Team Officials Duties
4.3 Sanctions Against Team Officials
It is the responsibility of each Team Official to learn the Clubs policies and procedures. All policies and procedures are expected to be followed at all times. Failure to do so may result in suspension, the length of which will be determined by the Board, or termination for those individuals found to be in severe default.
SECTION 5: PARENT/GUARDIAN CODE
5.1 Parent and Guardian Responsibilities
5.2 Use of Affiliated Players
It is understood and agreed that when your child joins the Club that they are in fact joining an organization and not just an individual team. For clarification purposes, this means that when your child’s participation is required by their affiliated team, the team directly above them, in either a practice or a game, that you make your child available, so long as that by doing so your child would not have practiced or played more than three days out of four.
5.3 Family Vacations
Families must give the Head Coach a minimum of thirty (30) days’ notice of their intention to take their child on a family vacation that would have them miss any game or practice, unless permission otherwise has been granted by the Head Coach in writing.
5.4 Sanctions Against Parents or Legal Guardians
It is the responsibility of each Parent or Legal Guardian to learn the Clubs policies and procedures. All policies and procedures are expected to be followed at all times. Failure to do so may result in your Childs suspension from the team, the length of which will be determined by the Board, or outright release for those individuals found to be in severe default.
5.5 Parents agree not to sue the Hockey Club for matters that may be settled or presented to the GTHL.
If any issues or problems are not satisfactorily dealt with within the Club’s resolution process parents may approach the GTHL. If they are not satisfied with the GTHL decision they may appeal the decision through the Ontario Hockey federation. Should a parent launch a lawsuit against the Club, the Parent hereby agrees to pay all of the Club’s legal costs.
SECTION 6: PLAYER'S CODE
6.1 Player’s Responsibilities
SECTION 7: CLUB MATTERS
7.2 Use of Affiliated Players
It is understood and agreed that when you join the Club that you are in fact joining an organization and not just an individual team. For clarification purposes, this means that when your participation is required by your affiliated team, in either a practice or a game, that you make yourself available, so long as that by doing so you would not be practicing or playing more than three days out of four.
7.3 Returning From a Concussion or Other Serious Injury.
If you have received a concussion or another type of serious injury, either in a game or a practice, you may only return to play or practice with written permission from a medical Doctor. This permission is to be faxed or emailed to the following addresses: admin@torontoshamrocks.ca before you commence practice or game play. As well, the medical clearance must be supplied to your team trainer prior to play.
7.4 Sanctions Against Players
It is the responsibility of each player to learn the Clubs policies and procedures. All policies and procedures are expected to be followed at all times. Failure to do so may result in your suspension from the Team, the length of which will be determined by the Board, or outright release for those individuals found to be in severe default.
7.5 Team practice Ice
SECTION 8: CLUB REFUND POLICY
8.1 Refund Policy Up To Midnight November 15th
8.2 Refund Policy after Midnight November 15th
If a player is successful in securing a release from the GTHL after November 15, no refund of registration fee or sponsorship monies will be made, unless the player has been released by the GTHL for reasons of abuse.
8.3 Refund Responsibility
If a player is released by a Team’s request for any reason, or is able to secure their release for any reason by virtue of a decision made by the GTHL or any branch of Canadian hockey, that refund will become the financial responsibility of the Team, not the Club. As per Club rules each team is responsible for 16 registration fees.
8.4 In the event of a Default of GTHL Games
8.5 Folded Teams
If the Club is forced to or decides to fold any team, assuming the team has not defaulted any GTHL games, the Club will deduct all expenses incurred from pre-tryouts to the official folding date. The Club agrees to refund the balance of funds remaining after expenses to the Team on a prorated basis. If there remains a shortfall or deficit, the Team and its members, parents/guardians and players will be responsible to reimburse the Club immediately for all costs associated with the folding of said team. The Club reserves the sole right to decide whether it is necessary to fold a team. The club will also not be responsible for ice contracts or any other contractual agreement made between the team and or its officials and or parents and any third party or supplier.
8.6 Sponsorship Funds
If a team is folded or disbands, the Club is not and will never be responsible to reimburse any sponsor, parent or guardian for Sponsorship fees given to that particular team.
If a parent is released by their request or by the decision of the Team or Club all Sponsorship money brought to the team by the parent/guardian or player will remain with the team and will not be returned to the sponsor, player, parent or guardian. The Club is not and will never be responsible to reimburse any sponsor, parent or guardian for Sponsorship fees given to that particular team.
It is understood by all that sponsorship money raised for the benefit of any particular team shall remain with the team for the benefit of the team program and will not be returned to any sponsor, parent, guardian or player if any conflict within the team arises. The Club is not and will never be responsible to reimburse any sponsor, parent or guardian for Sponsorship fees given to that particular team.
It is understood that all sponsorship funds are used "first" to cover team expenses. Any funds that remain at the end of the season in the team's account is considered money that must be distributed equally to all players of the team as a refund. Funds left over in the team's budget after the season is completed are NOT considered sponsorship funds, as sponsorship funds have already been used up. The club will not allow refunds of sponsorships under any circumstances.
The Club is not responsible or liable for collection, solicitation, handling or distribution of any Sponsorship funds raised by its teams from any sponsor for use by any specific team.
SECTION 9: EQUIPMENT PROVIDED BY THE CLUB
9.1 Issues
SECTION 10: ICE TIME
10.1 Final Decisions Concerning Ice Time.
The Head Coach has the final say on the ice time a player receives in any game.
10.2 Explanations Regarding Lost Ice Time
Any player denied significant ice time must have that reason explained to them before they leave the dressing room at the conclusion of the game, unless circumstances prevent such explanation from being given.
10.3 24 Hour Rule
SECTION 11: USE OF AFFILIATED PLAYERS (AP'S)
11.1 Affiliated Players and Games
Team affiliations will be submitted to the GTHL by October 1, 2021.
The club will work with the coaches to determine the best affiliation for his or her team by this date.
The Club reserves the right to change or alter the above team affiliations as per GTHL rules and deadlines. If teams in our Club prefer different affiliations the head coach of each team must contact the club GM immediately.
11.2 Affiliated Players/Practices & games
The philosophy of the Club allows us to encourage your child to practice with their affiliated team. Call ups/APS are to be arranged between the head coaches of each team. Players cannot contact coaches above them and ask to be call ups without approval of their own Head Coach. Players who are suspended in league play as (AP) must serve their suspensions in their own age groups. Players cannot play for any other team other than the team that they are affiliated with.
11.3 Procedure of Coaches Concerning The Use of Affiliated Players
The affiliated team requesting the use of a player or players shall contact his affiliated team’s head coach to request the use of such players. Before that request will be granted, the Head Coach must provide a compelling reason for the need for such player or players; further, with this request, the player or players requested must not be playing or practicing more than three times in four nights. If both criteria have been satisfied, the Head Coach of the Team below must honour the request that he direct the player or players to report to play or practice with their affiliated team. However, if the Head Coach of the Team below can provide a compelling reason as to why the player or players asked for should not be called up, replacement players will be sent. Any issues or problems that may arise due to injuries or suspensions that may not allow the use of call ups must be cleared through the club GM or President.
SECTION 12: DISPUTE RESOLUTION PROCEDURES
12.1 Complaints against the Club or Team
SECTION 13: FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE
13.1 Requests for Financial Assistance
The Club will consider written requests for financial assistance as it relates to player registration fees only. However, any parent or guardian granted financial assistance by the Club will be required to volunteer their time at Club Tournaments. All financial assistance must be matched by the Team.
SECTION 14: MANAGEMENT OF TEAM FINANCES
14.1 Financial Disclosure
Each Team must provide financial disclosure and financial controls with respect to the funding of the Team’s activities in accordance with this GTHL Rule 5.11. Pursuant to this Rule, each Team shall:
14.2 Estimated Budgets
14.3 Team Budget Limits
The amount each team is allowed to budget is at their own discretion and is not capped by the Club, but the Team Budget must be approved by the parents of each team prior to signing a GTHL player card.
SECTION 15: DISCLOSURE OF PAYMENTS TO TEAM OFFICIALS
15.1 Payments to Team Officials
SECTION 16: TEAM BANK ACCOUNTS
16.1 Access to Team Bank Account
SECTION 17: TEAM FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
17.1 Estimated Team Financial Statements
Estimated Team financial statements are to be made available for review prior to card signing. Team parents or guardians must sign a declaration (club form) indicating they have reviewed and have agreed with the estimated Team Financial statement/budget.
17.2 Financial Statements for Review
SECTION 18: TEAM MEETINGS
Teams are expected to hold a minimum of three Parental meetings that coincide with the handing out of team budgets. Those meetings are to be held prior to card signing, on or about October 30th and January 15th.
SECTION 19: TEAM RULES
Individual Teams may have their own Team rules, provided they do not override the Club Rules of Operation. These Team rules are to be presented to the General Manager or President prior to their presentation to your parents. Team parents or guardians must sign a declaration (club form) indicating they have reviewed and agree with the Team Rules.
SECTION 20: PERMISSION TO SKATE
20.1 Permissions to Skate with Other GTHL Teams
20.2 Permissions to Skate with Junior Teams
Permissions to skate with Tier II, Jr. B or Jr. C may only granted by the Club General Manager or President. Permissions to skate for Minor Bantam and Bantam aged players will not be given. Permissions to skate for graduating Minor Midgets, first year Midgets will be given upon the completion of our scheduled tryouts, which you are expected to attend, until their conclusion. Permissions to skate for second year midgets and Juveniles will be granted upon request after the conclusion of the season.
SECTION 21: RELEASES FROM ONGOING CARDS
All players are released automatically at the end of each season. Unless their financial commitment to the club and/or team has not been fulfilled. Then a financial hold will be placed by the club to the GTHL will be submitted by March 31st.
SECTION 22: ONTARIO PROVINCIAL CHAMPIONSHIPS
The team attending out of town the Ontario Provincial Championships may approach the club for financial assistance, if needed.
SECTION 23: USE OF CLUB LOGO
No unauthorized use of the Club logo is permitted. All items with the Club logo must first be authorized in writing by the Club prior to its production. Failure to adhere to this will be considered a violation of Club policy and will be dealt with accordingly.
SECTION 24: TEAM PROTESTS
Teams that wish to protest games or suspensions are responsible to pay GTHL directly for costs associated with such protests. The Club is not responsible to reimburse teams for such fees. All protests must go through the GM first.
SECTION 25: TEAM FUNDING
SECTION 26: GTHL RULES AND REGULATIONS