New Westminster Minor Softball Association (NWMSA) Policies
Zero Tolerance
NWMSA maintains a zero tolerance policy to the abuse or neglect of any participant in any of its programs. Abuse in any form, whether mental, physical, verbal, sexual or emotional is not acceptable. NWMSA expects every parent, volunteer and staff member to take all reasonable steps to safeguard the welfare of its participants and protect them from any form of maltreatment. NWMSA reserves the right to apply sanctions should an incident occur. This may include termination of coaches or players from participating with the team, or banishing parents from attending games.
Coaching Development
New Westminster Minor Softball Association seeks to ensure that we provide a high level of coaching for our players. To this end NWMSA will endeavor to provide funding for coaches to obtain training and certification. Selection of coaches shall be at the sole discretion of the NWMSA executive and the Division manager.
Criminal Record Check
All coaches are required to undergo a criminal record check. All assistant coaches and managers for Mini-Mite and above must also undergo a criminal record check. All criminal record checks are held in strictest confidence and will not be disclosed or discussed with anyone other than the applicant.
UniformsEach player will be responsible to return their full uniform (less ball cap) at the end of the season. The uniform shall be returned to the coach in good condition (less normal wear and tear) washed and on a hanger. Coaches must maintain a list of uniforms (by jersey number) and equipment assigned to their players. When the uniforms are returned, coaches should agree the number with the list of uniform numbers assigned at the beginning of the season. Coaches are responsible for collecting the cleaned uniforms and must return them to the uniform manager. A list of player names and jersey numbers of missing uniforms must be given to the uniform manager if uniforms are not returned.
Equipment
NWMSA shall provide all bats, balls, catchers gear and related field equipment. NWMSA will not provide helmets, mouth guards or other personal safety gear (jocks, jills, sliders, etc.)
Team FormationNWMSA will form teams based on the following criteria:
by prior team/coach request to play with friends
Conduct
One of the goals of NWMSA is to provide the game of softball with proper safeguards in accordance with the spirit of true sportsmanship. During the season, individuals may conduct themselves in a manner which is inconsistent with the goal outlined above, and in doing so, may violate the rights of others who expect the association to protect their rights. The executive is charged with ensuring that the goals of NWMSA are achieved. If necessary, disciplinary action may be taken against individuals whose conduct is inconsistent with the associations Constitution and policies. For the purposes of this policy the term "participants" refers to all directors, coaches, players, umpires, parents, and spectators involved in any NWMSA activities.NWMSA reserves the right to apply sanctions should misconduct occur. This may include termination of coaches or players from participating with the team and/or banishing parents from attending games or registering their children in NWMSA.
Complaints about Conduct
To help resolve a situation as quickly as possible, participants of NWMSA activities who have a concern or complaint regarding the conduct of any other participant must use the following hierarchy to communicate their concern:
Participants who wish to appeal a decision that was made at one level of the preceding hierarchy must submit the appeal in writing to the next level in the hierarchy. Disagreement with the conclusions reached by the President of the association or by an ad-hoc executive committee will not be considered as sufficient justification for any participant to prolong the appeal process.
Conduct of ALL Participants
The following represents the MINIMUM requirement expected of all participants and is to be included with the specific participant's sections that follow. No smoking is allowed on the playing field, in coach's box, or in the dugout. Participants are encouraged to get involved by shouting only positive comments (i.e. "good swing", "nice try", "good effort", etc.) and refrain from negative comments (i.e. "this batter can't hit", "that pitcher can't pitch", etc.). Verbal abuse by any participant (including spectators) towards anybody on the field is not permitted. Note: Only one team warning is given. If the coach/player/parent/spectator continues, the verbal abuse will result in forfeiture of the game for the offending team. Coaches are required to report any incidents to the Manager. If the participant continues the abuse after the game or during any other game a complaint must be forwarded to the President for disciplinary action.Illegal drugs or alcohol are not permitted on the playing field or in any dugouts. Note: All games are played in public areas under the temporary use by the association, and subject to all laws regarding possession or consumption of alcohol and drugs.
Coach's Conduct
In addition to adhering to all NWMSA policies, coaches are expected to assist in achieving the goal mentioned above as it pertains to sportsmanship, safety, and providing an opportunity for players to play softball. Coaches are expected to put aside their personal objectives and maintain the objective of providing the opportunity for minor players to play the game and to improve their playing skills. Coaches are expected to maintain the proper conduct of players, parents, team spectators and themselves. Difficulties with a player or parent should be discussed with the player and or parent and brought as a complaint to the manager if a recurring problem is not meeting with resolution. Coaches should be aware that the directors are available to support them and are willing to oversee their activities on behalf of the association if required. Coaches are expected to remain at the field until all players have left the park.
Player's Conduct
Players are expected to conduct their activities in a safe and sportsmanlike manner. Softball is a team sport and players have as many responsibilities and obligations, towards their coaches and team-mates, as they have individual rights themselves. If the friends or relatives of a player attend NWMSA activities as spectators, the players should encourage proper conduct from those spectators. By supporting a team-mate and encouraging positive reinforcement of behaviour, players can set an example that all spectators and adults can model their conduct after.Players are not to wilfully abuse the equipment or uniforms provided for their use by the association. Players should assist the coach by returning all equipment to the designated location when they have finished using it. Parents are expected to ensure that the uniform that has been supplied is maintained in the best possible condition and then cleaned and returned to the coach at the end of the season. Coaches will inform players as to how and when to notify them regarding absences from practices or games and players are expected to extend their coach the courtesy of the prior notification. All players are expected to remain in or near the dugout area when they are not on the playing field.
Parent's/Spectator's ConductIn addition to the requirements of all participants, parents are also expected to set a positive example to the minor participants and assist the rest of the NWMSA volunteers in accomplishing the aforementioned goal. For safety reasons, any player in Blastball or T-ball must have a responsible adult in attendance at all games and practices. Parents are encouraged to provide assistance to the volunteer coaches, who like the parents, also have other things going on in their lives and are very busy, and yet, have offered some of their valuable time to help someone else's child. Parents are also expected to assist the coaches in maintaining the proper conduct of their children. Players (or parents) are expected to notify coaches if they will not be attending a practice or game. Parents and spectators are asked to provide positive feed back and encouragement to all players on the field, or to refrain from commenting altogether. Parents and spectators alike should be cautioned that enforcement of the NWMSA policy regarding conduct/ abuse may result in cancellation of a child's participation in NWMSA activities if that is the only way to ensure that a parent or relative will not be present at future games.Refund Policy
NWMSA will offer a full refund (less $25.00 administration fee) up until the end of the 3rd week of the playing season. All refund requests after that date shall be at the sole discretion of the Registrar.
NSF ChequesNWMSA will charge a $25.00 administration fee for all NSF cheques. All replacement cheques shall include the fee and shall be certified by the issuer’s bank.
FeesAll fees owed NWMSA (including fees from past years) must be paid in full before any player is allowed to play in the current year.
|