CLUB RULES

For Skaters, Parents and Coaches

Grandview Skating Club strongly believes in Skate Canada’s commitment to ensure that all skaters have the opportunity to participate in a safe and welcoming environment that is encouraging and promotes their overall development.

The following are House Rules and important excerpts from the Coaches Code of Ethics and Parents Code of Conduct published by SKATECanada and the BC Universal Code of Conduct. As a club member, parent/guardian, or coach you should be familiar with the full documents that can be found online at members.skatecanada.ca

General Rules:

Conduct

  • Treat all members, coaches and volunteers with respect and dignity.
  • Demonstrate the spirit of sportsmanship, leadership and ethical conduct.
  • Demonstrate respect for the diversity of all members, coaches and volunteers and foster meaningful inclusion of all individuals.
  • Be considerate and encourage your fellow skaters. Remember that every skater should aim to be a role model for other skaters.
  • Establish, respect and maintain appropriate boundaries with all members, coaches and volunteers.
  • Abstain from all forms of prohibited behaviour such as bullying, exclusion, intimidation, deliberate disregard of coaches’ instruction, profanity and racial slurs.
  • All members must adhere to SafeSport’s’ “Rule of Two” in all dressing rooms and private areas.  At no times should an adult over the age of 18 be alone with a minor, unless they are the parent or legal guardian.

Skater Rules:

  • Grandview SC has a team-teaching approach, so skaters must accept instruction and feedback from all Coaches.
  • Be SAFE! Skate with your head up and be aware of other skaters on the ice.
  • Junior/intermediate skaters must pay attention to their surroundings and always be listening. The older/faster skaters will have right of way due to speed and difficulty of skills performed on the ice.
  • Skaters should dress in a neat and tidy manner – no loose clothing. Tie back long hair.
  • Be on time for all your lessons. Skaters will be charged for missed lessons, if no written notice is given a minimum of 3 hrs before lesson time.
  • No food, candy, or gum is permitted on the ice.
  • Guards must be worn off-ice at all times.
  • Do not interrupt a Coach while they are giving a lesson. You are taking time from a fellow skater’s lesson.
  • When resting during a practice, please skate along the BOARDS, to leave the ice clear for skaters who are performing.
  • On a general session, RIGHT OF WAY is given to:
      • Lessons
      • Solos being skated with music
      • Senior Skaters
      • Junior Skaters
  • MUSIC PRIORITY is given to:
        • Coaches, Assessments or Competitive Practice
        • Senior Skaters
        • Junior Skaters
  • HAVE FUN and remember that HARD WORK and a POSITIVE ATTITUDE bring positive RESULTS!
  • Club events such as Ice Show, Simulations and In-House competitions are a required part of programming and are subject to No Show fees unless prior written notice is provided well in advance of the event.

Consequences

  • If skaters do not comply with the rules, are abusive or argumentative on any session, they will be asked to leave for the session or be issued a one-day suspension from the ice at the coaches’ discretion.
  • Breaches of the Code of Conduct may result in progressive action including verbal warnings, written warnings or revocation of membership.

Adult Skaters Addendum

  • Must adhere to SafeSports’ “Rule of Two” in all dressing rooms and private areas.  At no times should an adult over the age of 18 be alone with a minor.
  • Dressing rooms are considered a ‘safe space’ for members, especially minors.
  • Must ensure language, topics of conversation and other influences be appropriate for the younger skaters.  Remember, you are their role models.

Procedures

    • To request a make-up lesson from a missed day, skaters must give at least 48 HOURS WRITTEN notice by email prior to the day that they will not be in attendance.
    • All outstanding account balances must be paid prior to the start of a new season.  If there is financial hardship, please email the club to arrange a payment plan.
    • How to manage issues/complaints:
        • First, and foremost, it is the responsibility of the skater (or legal guardian) to first have an honest and respectful conversation directly with the coach, so they have an opportunity to work with the skater to make any necessary changes in teaching style or technique to best support that individual.
        • Second, if there is no improvement in the skater experience, the skater may then approach the coaching director, either in person, or by email, to discuss the situation that pertains directly to them.
        • Third, if there is no resolution to the issue, the skater may then contact the Board of Directors to find a mutually agreeable solution, in conjunction with all parties involved.

Parent Rules:

  • Must adhere to SafeSports “Rule of Two” in all dressing rooms and private areas.  At no times should an adult over the age of 18 be alone with a minor.
  • When you register for lessons, you are entering into a contract to instruct your child. Ensure that you understand the qualifications, availability, and fees for lessons before making this agreement.
  • Notify the Coaching Director and Contact Coach at least 48 hours in advance should the skater need to cancel a lesson. If 48-hour notice is not met, the lesson will be forfeited without credit.
  • If 48-hour cancellation notification is provided, our coaches will do their best to schedule a make-up class within the current skating season if space allows (please note that due to a full roster, it may take a few weeks to schedule the make-up classes).
  • Parents shall respect that the professional coach is responsible and empowered for the on -ice and off- ice development of the athlete. Parents should not be coaching from the sidelines, nor changing techniques that have been taught by the coach. If you have concerns, please follow the steps outlined above.
  • There will be no entrance to the players box during a skating session and no contact with your skater. It is distracting to your skater, the other skaters, and to club coaches. If you wish to speak with a coach or your skater, it can be done after the session. Parents in the players box will be reminded to leave.
  • Please respect the privacy of other members. Do not share personal phone numbers or emails without explicit permission from the owner.
  • Members may NOT take photos or videos of skaters other than their own family members. This applies both on the ice and off the ice. If skaters are practicing or performing in groups, please exercise restraint and refrain from group photos or videos.
  • Parents shall always model positive and responsible behaviour and communicate with their skater that they expect them to do the same. Parents will assume the major responsibility for their skater’s on-ice conduct and attitude
  • Parents shall emphasize the importance of values like sportsmanship, respect, cooperation, competition, and teamwork to their skater.
  • A skater may not always have the same base coach.  If switching coaches, be courteous and notify the current/former coach that their services are no longer required before contracting a “new” coach
  • All outstanding bills must be paid in full prior to starting with a new club.

Consequences:

  • If parents do not comply with the rules, are verbally abusive, or exhibit any inappropriate behaviour, they will be asked to leave the immediate area.
  • Breaches of the Code of Conduct may result in progressive action including verbal warnings, written warnings or revocation of membership.

Coach Rules:

  • Strive to create and maintain cooperative relationships with coaching colleagues for the purpose of ensuring a positive skating environment.
  • Respect a coach/athlete and/or parent relationship and not solicit, or cause to be solicited, directly or indirectly, or through a third party, the athlete of another coach.
  • Coaches may respond to athletes or parents who approach them and ask questions regarding their services, experience, qualifications, teaching methodology and coaching philosophy.
  • Meet expectations and deadlines regarding coach contract responsibilities and always ensure the skaters’ needs are being met first and foremost.
  • Negotiate coaching contracts in good terms and adhere to their terms
  • Accept personal responsibility for providing and delivering coaching services in a safe and professional manner.
  • All Skate Canada coaches are responsible for maintaining Skate Canada’s Coaching in Good Standing status.
  • Unprofessional behaviour, including yelling, arguments or other acts that can affect a member’s perception of our Club and our sport will not be tolerated. Any of the above will act as cause for any coach/persons involved to be asked to leave the ice with penalty of a same day suspension.
  • Support the decisions of the Club while continuing to provide ideas with a positive attitude and act as a leader/role model to the skaters and other coaches on the ice.
  • Assist the Club by respectfully advising skaters or Club Members if you observe that they are not following Club rules.
  • For any absence, Club Directors must be informed prior to the day and you must make an effort to find a replacement/sub. Coaches may ask for help, if needed, to find a replacement/sub, but it is not the sole responsibility of the Directors to do this. There may be some exception to absence due to unforeseen circumstances.
  • Adhere and follow contact coach guidelines and protocols including consistent communication with the coaching director on skater progress and structure to support cohesive training.
  • Be professional, be responsible, and always make ensure you and your skaters are having fun!