Delta Minor Ball Hockey Association

Welcome

Risk Management in the Delta Minor Ball Hockey Association is the process of identifying and minimizing any conditions or acts that may be harmful to the association?s members; that may be unethical or discriminatory; or may be detrimental to the sport or its members.

As Risk Management Coordinator it is my responsibility to:
- represent the „conscience? of the sport to the best of my ability
- ensure that a safe, positive environment is provided for all players, officials, coaches and parents
- act with the best interests of the sport and of the association in mind
- gather, review, revise and update information as it pertains to Risk Management
- communicate Risk Management information as appropriate
- to oversee enforcement of Risk Management policies and guidelines
- act in a manner which is open, positive, and without prejudice or bias.
If you have any questions, concerns, or suggestions please feel free to contact me. Contact information is listed below. Confidentiality is assured.

D.M.B.H.A and Risk Management
When any minor sport grows in size and popularity, it is able to become more involved with things like scholarships, regional interplay, and provincial, national and even international competitions. The ultimate prize is an association with professional sports from where young athletes can draw inspiration. Unfortunately when the minor sport grows, the focus on the basic premise of the minor sport can easily become blurred.
Minor sports are a body of individual groups established to form the same basic function: to provide an environment in which youth of all ages and skill levels can compete in a safe manner, where they are encouraged to participate equally and to develop the basic skills necessary to be able to play the sport to their greatest potential.
Delta Minor Ball Hockey Association has been growing rapidly and is in a position now where we want to be sure we don?t lose focus of our founding goals of ball hockey in a safe, organized environment. This is where the Risk Management position can help.

What is Risk Management?
Risk Management is the process of identifying and assessing key risks and negative impacts that may be detrimental to participants, the association, or the sport itself. Risk can be found in many areas, such as: Player Safety Participant Safety (coaches ,officials, parents, spectators) Harassment and Abuse
By identifying potential risks, we are able to design and implement a necessary process so that risks can be effectively mitigated. The board (executive) identifies, assesses, and develops policy that will ensure risk is kept to a minimum. For example, the most dangerous part of our sport is our children carry sticks while running. While we cannot remove the stick from the game, we can implement a standard of play and safety measures to minimize the risk as much as possible.

Who is responsible for Risk Management?
The easy answer is the Association and its Executive Board. The correct answer is EVERYONE - from the first year Tyke player, to 3rd year Junior player?s parent. The Executive is a very limited body, unable to fully
identify and assess all inherent risk. We need many eyes to accurately and effectively view the game in order to minimize or even eliminate risk.
Even if an incident occurs that does not result in a negative outcome, Risk Management is about critically analyzing the incident and assuming and preparing for the worst case scenario. We need to approach an event asking: “what?s the worst that could have happened here?” This is followed by the question: “what, if anything, can be done to avoid such a situation?” Everyone participates in Risk Management.

How Do I Report A Risk Management Issue?
Anyone can report an incident or a concern IN COMPLETE ANONYMITY. However it is much more efficient to include contact information in the event the Risk Manager wishes to contact you to clarify a situation, or to provide feedback on the management of an incident. Regardless, the identity of the incident reporter will never be revealed, even to the Executive Board.
Please do not hesitate to report potential risk, policy violation, and even recommendations about where we need to focus our attention.
Risk Management is an on-going and ever-changing process that is only possible with trust and with open dialogue. This must happen with the assurance of trust, good judgment, discretion, fair play and an open-minded approach in an environment that is ethically driven and free of bias or prejudice.

The Risk Management Coordinator can be reached at:
Phone: 604 319-0371
E-mail: gary-dmbha@hotmail.com

Required Equipment
Any player with inadequate or deficient equipment will be removed from the playing surface until situation is corrected.
1. Helmet
1.1 Helmet must be a CSA approved Ice Hockey helmet with a valid CSA approval sticker clearly visible. LACROSSE HELMETS ARE NOT PERMITTED
1.2 Helmet must be properly fitted to each player. If the helmet is too loose, or too tight it will not perform to within its designed standards.
1.3 Helmet must have a CSA approved, properly secured and fitted full face guard. This may be the classic „grid? or „cage? most commonly seen. Players may also opt to use a composite shield provided it is full face protection and CSA approved, or the hybrid combination of grid and composite. In any event, any facial protection must bear the CSA approval and specifies as full facial protection. LACROSSE FACIAL PROTECTION IS PROHIBITED.
1.4 The helmet must have a properly secured chin strap, and not to be worn with any more than „two fingers? slack between the strap and the chin.
1.5 Goalies must also comply as above, but are permitted to use Ice Hockey goalie helmets. Facial protection must be only of the „cage? or „grid? style. NO „CAT?S EYE? cages.
1.6 NO „BLACK ICE? HELMETS.
2. Gloves
2.1 Gloves must be CSA approved Ice Hockey style gloves. LACROSSE GLOVES ARE NOT PERMITTED
2.2 Gloves must be completely in tact, with no visible holes in the palm of the gloves, and must be free of oil, dirt, or blood. Contaminated gloves must be removed from the playing surface until deemed fit to do so.
2.3 Gloves must be fitted properly in order to provide as much hand and wrist protection as required by C.B.H.A. (Canada Ball Hockey Association)
3. Footwear
3.1 Footwear is to be of the standard athletic style that covers the entire sole of the foot, and must cover the entire foot to the ankle region. NO BOOTS. Footwear must provide adequate traction for smooth, hard playing surface. It is recommended that players have footwear dedicated strictly for the playing surface. This ensures footwear does not contaminate the playing surface with dirt, water, or other foreign substances that may compromise the quality of the playing surface. “Skater” style shoes are not recommended, as they are designed to loose fit the foot, and will fall off during the course of regular play.
3.2 Goalies may wear footwear with a steel toe, but this footwear is not permitted on any other player except the goalie. THIS FOOTWEAR MUST FALL WITHIN THE SAME STANDARDS AS ABOVE
4. Stick
4.1 Stick may be wood, one piece composite, aluminum shaft with wood or composite glued in blade, or aluminum shaft with glued in wood or composite blade. The „classic? super blade which is screwed onto a wooden shaft is strictly prohibited.
4.2 The blade must be a minimum of 2 inches wide at the toe, and 1 inch wide at the heel.
4.3 The stick must be of proper height and fit for the player.
4.4 If the shaft of the stick is hollow, it must have at a minimum a properly fitted solid cap covering the hollow
4.5 The end of all sticks must be taped over the entire end of the stick to avoid sharp edges.
5. Athletic Supporter
5.1 Male and female participants must use a properly fitted, gender specific athletic supporter
6. Optional Equipment and Padding
6.1 All additional padding, shin guards, elbow pads, knee pads are strongly recommended, but not mandatory during regular season play in D.M.B.H.A. sanctioned games., but are mandatory in any facility in which you are the visiting team, and it is that particular association?s policy that additional padding is required.
6.2 During C.B.H.A.,W.C.M.B.H.A. or B.C.M.B.H.A. events proper shin guards are mandatory
6.3 Shin guards must be soccer style shin guards, and entire shin guard must be covered in a fabric with no exposed plastic
6.4 Elbow pads must be covered in a fabric material, with no exposed plastic.
6.5 Knee pads must be covered in fabric material with no exposed plastic.
6.6 SHOULDER PADS ARE NOT PERMITTED unless a written doctor?s note is provided indicating a medical condition which would require such use.
6.7 Goalies may use and are encouraged to use a throat shield fitted to their helmet.
6.8 „Shock Doctor? style mouth guards are a recommended but not required.

Facility
General conditions
1.1 Facility is defined as any area in which an event sanctioned by D.M.B.H.A occurs. The facilities which fall under D.M.B.H.A. jurisdiction are Sungod Arena, North Delta Recreation Center, Planet Ice (G.P.F.), and Gunderson Lacrosse box. Gunderson is a PRACTICE ONLY facility. Other facilities may fall within D.M.B.H.A.?s jurisdiction if D.M.B.H.A. enters into a usage agreement for any purpose.
1.2 Must have accessible and adequate emergency exits, clearly marked and clearly indicated by lights, signage, and facility maps indicating exit locations must be clearly visible.
1.3 Facilities must provide adequate access for athletes and families, must be properly lit and heated, and must provide sufficient washroom facilities for both genders.
1.4 Must be within reasonable response times for all emergency services. I.E. Police, Fire, and Ambulance. Must provide adequate access for emergency response
1.5 Must provide adequate change and shower facilities for athletes of both gender.
1.6 Must provide a secure changing room with adequate privacy for athletes to change before and after games and practices if required.
1.7 Must provide adequate viewing area for spectators safely segregated from the playing surface in order to avoid injury, and wrongful interaction with game play situation.
1.8 Facility staff are permitted and are encouraged to confiscate any inappropriately used equipment in areas outside the defined playing surface. This includes sticks, regardless of value. Players shooting balls or pucks in common areas (entries, hallways, walk ways, etc.) are the most frequent offense.
1.9 Confiscated equipment will not be returned, rather forwarded to D.M.B.H.A. Executive.
1.10 Facility staff have full autonomy and are authorized and encouraged to remove any person engaging in unsafe or malicious acts within the confines of any facility used by D.M.B.H.A.
1.11 Any player, coach, official, sibling or parent is subject to disciplinary action if deemed necessary for any act in violation of arena policy, weather stated in this document or as a policy of the facility itself.
1.12 Only those who are properly registered to be a Coach, Player, or official may enter the playing surface
Harassment and Abuse Policy
Harassment and Abuse policy is 100% inclusive to ALL participants. A participant is defined as; Players, Coaches, support staff, game officials, Parents, Spectators, and Siblings.
1.1 All participants MUST sign and adhere to the Code of Conduct policy and forms before participating in any sanctioned D.M.B.H.A. event.
1.2 Bullying is NOT acceptable any where, any time
1.3 No person shall touch another player, coach, official, or spectator in any manner which is not deemed to be an acceptable part of the sport or activity
1.4 No person shall hit, kick, push or punch another player, coach, official or spectator
1.5 No person shall use vulgar or inappropriate language when addressing any player, coach, official or spectator
1.6 No person shall use derogatory, sexually discriminatory or racially discriminatory language AT ANY TIME.
1.7 No person shall ever be in the possession of, or handle, dismantle, or deface any other person?s property without that person?s expressed permission.
1.8 Players are expected to act within the guidelines of the Canada Ball Hockey Rules and Regulations guide as set out by Ball Hockey Canada while engaged in any game.
1.9 No person is permitted to have any type of photo recording devices in dressing rooms. This includes, but is not limited to: Cameras, camera phones, video recorders, and any similar recording devices.
* “Support staff” includes assistant coaches, trainers, team managers and anybody else helping the team.

Risk Management – Players
In any game, there are 4 roles fulfilled. Player, Coach, Official, Spectator. Please remember what role you are there to fulfill, and please allow everyone else to fulfill their duties to the best of their ability
The single largest group susceptible to events, acts or incidents with negative outcome is the players. The primary function of Risk Management is the focus on it?s participants, those actually engaging in the event itself.
Playing Surface
The playing surface is defined as any area relevant to the game or practice. This includes, but is not limited to; The regulation floor space the actual game is played Bench areas Score Keeping areas Penalty Box areas Any space between the Home and Visiting teams benches Designated dressing rooms Any other area where viewers or spectators my be placed in a compromising position with negative outcome.
1.1 Whether it be a practice or a game, when on the playing surface a player must be properly wearing and using ONLY equipment as outlined on „Equipment Requirements?. Any additional training aids or instructional equipment are the responsibility of the coach and bench support staff.
1.2 Players must observe all posted facility regulations.
1.3 Players may not enter the playing surface until there is an authorized coach or delegate present, and in full view of the entire playing surface.
1.4 Players are prohibited from entering the playing surface they are not directly involved in
1.5 Players are not permitted to enter the playing surface until an official, normally the referee, deems it appropriate.
1.6 No person shall enter the playing surface to engage in any activity they are not specified to do. I.E. you cannot shoot a ball around between periods.
1.7 Only designated persons shall enter the playing surface. Designated persons are; Players Coaches Officials
1.8 Any player throwing items onto the playing surface will be immediately ejected by officials. I.E. Water bottles, sticks, or debris.
1.9 Food, electronic devices or items not relevant to the game or practice are not permitted on the playing surface
1.10 Any player caught in possession of controlled substances will be immediately removed from the facility and suspended for the entire season without re-imbursement or compensation. Examples of controlled substances; Tobacco products Illicit drugs Stimulants Alcohol Firearms Knives Fireworks

Risk Management – Coaches and Support staff
In any game, there are 4 roles fulfilled. Player, Coach, Official, Spectator. Please remember what role you are there to fulfill, and please allow everyone else to fulfill their duties to the best of their ability
1.1 All coaches, assistant coaches, managers and other support staff (hereafter referred to as support staff) must sign and understand the Coaches Code of Conduct form.
1.2 All support staff must complete a mandatory one-time B.C. Ball Hockey endorsed Speak Out course
1.3 All coaches must complete B.C. Ball Hockey endorsed NCCP level 1 coaches course, or have already completed a course of equal or of greater qualification, and must be endorsed by B.C. Ball hockey and W.C.M.B.H.A.
1.4 All coaches and support staff must complete and sign the „consent to a criminal record check? form
1.5 The „2 – Deep? rule must always be observed when in the presence of minors. D.M.B.H.A. defines adequate 2-deep as minimum 1 adult with Speak Out certification, and any other adult. When this involves a co-ed situation, it is recommended that one adult be male, and one adult be female.
1.6 Coaches may not be in possession of any cameras, camera phones, digital or video recording devices, unless used for the sole purpose of instruction, in plain sight, and with expressed written permission from players and parents if recording players.
1.7 Coaches and support staff must observe all banned and controlled substance regulations. A coach or support staff member can be removed from the playing surface if they are suspected of being under the influence of any banned or controlled substance
1.8 Coaches and support staff must observe all publicly displayed and posted facility regulations
1.9 In the event of a player injury, no matter how insignificant, it MUST be reported to the Risk Manager within 12 hours of the incident, in writing. E-Mail is the preferred application, as it is the most time-sensitive.
1.10 Any player removed from the playing surface due to injury requiring professional attention cannot return to play or practice until Risk
manager has received a doctor?s note with doctor?s contact information stating player is physically cleared to resume play.
1.11 Any player entering the season with an existing injury requiring prior medical attention must produce a doctor?s note indicating player is physically fit to play
1.12 Support staff are responsible for periodic equipment check to ensure players are wearing and using properly fitted and functional equipment
1.13 With the exception of player injury, and end-of game ritual, or practice, coaches and support staff are not permitted to enter the playing surface.
1.14 In the event of a player injury on the playing surface, coach must wait for indication from official to enter the playing surface
1.15 Coaches must not attempt to directly speak with official. This must be done through team captains and assistants. If the official chooses to speak directly to coach the official may approach the bench. This rule is not applicable to Tyke, Peanut, or Pup levels.
1.16 A maximum of 4 coaches and support staff are permitted on the bench
1.17 No person under the age of 16 shall „work the gates?
1.18 A minimum of one member of the bench staff must be Speak Out certified, unless it is deemed in advance by Risk manager as extenuating circumstances, and condition shall be temporary as determined by Risk Management director.
1.19 Any incident or event which is a direct violation of coach, player, or parent code of conduct MUST be reported within 12 hours.
1.20 A coach can not discipline a player without direct involvement or knowledge by parents. Disciplinary protocol is as follows; verbal, written, suspension. Any disciplinary action of a player which requires more than a minor bench, or shift type of discipline must be reported to Risk Manager
1.21 All written warnings must be produced in duplicate. The individual receiving the letter must sign BOTH copies to acknowledge receipt of letter. One copy stays with individual, one copy is kept by coach or team manager. Written warnings must be reported by E-Mail to Risk Manager within 12 hours of serving notice.
1.22 Coaches are encouraged to keep a physical record of disciplinary actions, in an attempt to maintain an accurate record of repeat offenders.
1.23 Any Coach found to be in violation of Harassment and Abuse policy shall be immediately removed from facility and could face a lifetime ban.

Risk Management – Parents, Spectators, & Siblings
In any game, there are 4 roles fulfilled. Player, Coach, Official, Spectator. Please remember what role you are there to fulfill, and please allow everyone else to fulfill their duties to the best of their ability
1.1 All parents must sign and understand „Parent?s Code of Conduct „form.
1.2 No parent, Spectator, or sibling shall enter the playing surface at any time unless acting as a game official. (score keeper/ time keeper)
1.3 No parent shall enter a dressing room where players the age group of Peewee or below without permission of team coach
1.4 No parent, spectator, or sibling shall be in possession of, or under the influence of any banned or controlled substance they cannot legally possess.
1.5 Parents, spectators and siblings must observe all publicly displayed facility regulations
1.6 Parents, spectators and siblings must adhere to the Parent?s „Code of Conduct? at all times.
1.7 If any Parent, Spectator, or Sibling is asked to leave the building for inappropriate conduct, game play will not resume until individual(s) leave facility
1.8 Any individual removed from facility shall not return to facility for a DMBHA event without written permission from Risk Manager.
1.9 Any parent, Spectator, or Sibling found to be in violation of Harassment and Abuse policies shall be removed from facility immediately and are susceptible to a maximum lifetime ban

**Note** although only the Parents of the players are expected to sign the Parent/Guardian?s code of conduct, it shall be assumed that all siblings and guests shall act accordingly, and shall be the direct responsibility of the Parent or Guardian.

Violations of Risk Management Program
Nobody is immune to the Risk management program. Everyone benefits from the Risk Management program.
Violations of policy may be subject to disciplinary action which may include but are not limited to: verbal warning, letter of warning, suspension, disciplinary committee hearings, ejections, participation and attendance bans, and criminal charges if deemed appropriate and/or necessary.