The Northern Virginia (NOVA) Ice Dog Hockey Club, as a matter of policy, strictly adheres to and adopts as policy, the provision of Policy E as outlined in the Annual Guide of USA Hockey, Inc., concerning the consumption/use/abuse of mood altering substances as set forth below.
For the purposes of this policy, the words “mood altering substances” shall include the following.
Intoxicating substances, including but not limited to alcohol.
Non-prescription or prescribed controlled substances.
Prescription or prescribed controlled substances when used in excess in violation of doctors’ orders, or to produce the state of intoxication in the participant.
The Northern Virginia Hockey Club will not tolerate any violation of this policy. Accordingly, any alleged violation of this policy by a participant shall be brought to the attention of the members of the Board of Directors (Board) who shall investigate the alleged violation within 14 days of the notice. If upon a review of the circumstances it is found that a violation occurred, the participant shall be suspended from active play or participation for a period of at least fourteen (14) days. The participant shall be required to perform at least eight (8) hours of community service as approved by the Board. The Board has the right to make arrangements for other acceptable conditions being met, either in addition to the community service or in lieu of. During the period of suspension the participant must participate in team practices and attend any home games unless determined otherwise by the Board.
A participant, who is found to have violated this policy a second time, in the same or subsequent years, shall be suspended from further participation within the NOVA Hockey Club for a period of one (1) year. After a period of one year the participant must formally request re-admittance to the NOVA Hockey Club and must present the steps he/she has taken to address the substance use problem.
Suspension from the NOVA Hockey Club, because of violation of this substance abuse policy will not be grounds of monetary refund.
AGREEMENT FOR PLAYERS
It is known that the consumption/use/abuse of mood altering substances is detrimental to a healthy state of mind, body, and spirit in an athletic participant. This is especially true for those participants aspiring to develop their talents in the furtherance of their playing, coaching or officiating careers in the sport of ice hockey. Therefore, with the best interests of its participants in mind, the NOVA Hockey Club shall take action to remove the participant from participation in the program for a reasonable period of time (see below). In order to maintain the health of our athletic participants, the integrity of our programs and the eligibility of our competitors for nationals, international and collegiate competition, this policy is to be strictly enforced.
For players, “program” extends to not only active ice hockey contests, but to any travel to or from, or intervening stay for the participation of the NOVA Hockey Club sanctioned games, camps, tryouts, clinics, practices, or other events.
AGREEMENT FOR PARENTS, COACHES & TEAM OFFICIALS
The enjoyment of youth sports is something that can be damaged by the use of mood altering substances. Therefore, the use of alcohol or any other mood altering substance during NOVA practices and games is strictly prohibited for NOVA coaches, parents and other adults involved with the Club. Furthermore, the use of any mood altering substance inside a rink or on rink property, when the adult is at the rink for a NOVA function (game, practice, etc) is strictly prohibited.
In order t maintain our integrity within local rinks, the Capital Beltway Hockey League and USA Hockey, this policy will be strictly enforced.
Furthermore, the Club will not tolerate any substance-related incidents that arise during Club functions. When a NOVA team is traveling to play games the coaches, parents and other adults involved shall remember they represent the Club from the time they leave for the trip until the time they return, and proceed in a responsible manner with their actions.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
Participant ________________________________________ and
Parents/Guardians of Participant __________________________________
Acknowledge having read and understood all information in the above SUBSTANCE ABUSE POLICY and, in consideration of allowing the Participant to play and/or participate in the 2002-03 program of the NOVA Hockey Club, do hereby accept the conditions of said policy and agree to be bound thereby.
Signatures of both parents (where applicable) required:
Signed: _____________________________________ Date: _____________
Printed Name: __________________________________________________
Signed: _____________________________________ Date: _____________
Printed Name: __________________________________________________
Adapted from USA Hockey Code of Conduct and adapted to meet the specific needs and goals of Northern Virginia Hockey Club, September 2002