Preamble

The following sections are intended as guidelines to the standards of presentation, conduct, ethical principles, and behaviours expected of all Raiders House League participants, including players, volunteers and coaches.

Mission Statement

The Markham Raiders House League team aspires to be an outstanding athletic organization that provides a high quality experience to every athlete a safe, welcoming environment for all.  A high quality experience is one in which every athlete:

• Is coached using the principles of positive coaching and “pursuing victory with honour, ethics and sportsmanship”.
• Feels like an important part of the team regardless position, playing time or performance.
• Understands that being a Raiders House League athlete is both a privilege and a responsibility.
• Learns “life lessons” that have value beyond the playing field.
• Learns the skills, tactics and strategies of the game and improves as a player.

We are committed to creating a positive culture in which coaches, parents, fans, officials and athletes work together to achieve our mission.

Key Parent & Player Responsibilities

Players are responsible to ensure they have the appropriate equipment, supplies ready and at their disposal before the game and/or practice starts.

• Parents please assign a designate supervisor if you plan to leave your child at a game or practice. Parents are required to inform their child and the Team Manager
• Bring adequate supply of water for game day and practices
• Ensure your mouth guard fits properly to your mouth and is used at games and practices
• Notify the Coach and/or Team Manager of vacations or other events that may cause your child not to attend a practice or game

House League Policies & Regulations

Commitment

The Raiders House League program expects players to:

• Be dedicated and give 100% effort in practice, competitions and games
• Strive to be the best you can be, push yourself to your limits
• Understand personal limitations and exceed them on game day
• Take responsibility and make yourself better by participating in off season training
• Give no excuses, but accept responsibility as a member of the Raiders House League team
• Make teammates better through encouragement, actions and leadership

This is a team game; a player making the commitment to the Raiders House League team is making a commitment to the team!

Conduct

Every player on the Raiders House League Team is expected to display good sportsmanship.

Definition of Sportsmanship by Raiders Policy:

“A person who can take a loss or defeat without complaint or victory without gloating, and who treats their opponents with fairness, courtesy and respect.” (We do not speak inappropriately to other teams’ players, coaches and/or referees: Profanity and vulgarity are unacceptable. Any form of racial slur or insult will be met with harsh consequences. Let our playing make the statement. We will remain composed at all times.)  Raiders House League Policy states players, coaches and volunteers are expected to demonstrate good sportsmanship, ethical conduct, and fair play during all practices, competitions and games. They shall also abide by the core principles of trustworthiness, respect, responsibility, fairness, good citizenship and the policy, as stated within this Raiders House League Code of Conduct.

Attendance

Commitment, Punctuality and Mandatory attendance—It is the Player’s Responsibility. Remember, as a player you made the commitment when you signed up for the program, your team is relying on YOU!

Player’s priorities are expected to be as follows:

• Family
• School
• Raiders

Attendance at all Raiders House League practices, games and scheduled events is expected. Parents should send an email or call the Team Manager and/or Coach before the game/practice starts if their child is not going to attend.

An injury is not an excuse for an absence, as a player you are expected to attend and participate to encourage sportsmanship.

Players must arrive at least 15 minutes prior to practice, fully dressed and prepared to begin the pre-practice calisthenics and stretches at the designated start time.

Further, if the player is not attending the game or using personal transportation to attend game, the player must inform team management at the practise prior to the game.

Players are expected to arrive fully dressed at least 1 hour before the game starts.

Injury

The safety of Markham Raiders players is paramount. Everyone including the coaches, parents, players, teammates, game officials and medical staff share in the responsibility to keep the Markham Raiders players safe. Players who are injured and not allowed to participate in games or practices must present a written from a doctor or have parent advise the Head Coach and/or Team Manager that they are healthy and able to fully participate in Football.

• Injuries incurred during a game must be brought to both the physiotherapist and Head Coach's attention to prevent further injury to the injured player.
• The player will not be allowed to participate without the physiotherapist’s or Head Coach’s permission.
• If a serious injury is incurred by a member of the Raiders House League from participation in game or practice, and requires attending the Hospital, a member of the Raiders House League staff will be required to be present with the injured player at the Hospital (if parent is not present).

Equipment

• Raiders House League players are responsible for their uniform and any equipment issued to them. The player will respect it, take care of it, clean and maintain all equipment issued to them.
• Game day wear is to be washed and cleaned for game day and before equipment is returned to the Raiders organization.
• All equipment issued to players must be returned at the end of the season on the pre-arranged date.
• Any abuse or vandalism of equipment (including but not limited to sitting on &/or throwing of helmets, manipulation of uniform or equipment, etc…) will result in the player’s discipline.
• Players are to only bring football related equipment to practices, team events and games. For example, no cell phones, DS, iPhones are permitted on the practice field, dressing room or at a team event.

The Player’s uniform and equipment are a representation of the Raiders organization, the team, the player and the Team Manager and the Head Coach, therefore as a player you will respect it!

Game Day Dress Code

• Players’ uniforms including game pants, game jerseys, helmet, socks, shoes and all other equipment worn during game play is expected to be clean.
• Non issued equipment is to be in accordance with league rules and regulations.

Quitting of Team/Removal from Team

• Any player who breaks their commitment and quits the Raiders House League team will not be allowed to return for the remainder of the season.
• The players parents should speak with the Head Coach in person and return all equipment issued within 7 days.

Discipline

The discipline regarding each of the sections within the Raiders House League Code of Conduct is listed below.

Commitment

The results for not abiding by policy set out within Code of Conduct regarding this section will result in:

• The player being required to complete extra conditioning at the coaches discretion, possibly being restricted of playing time and/or being suspended from practices, team events and game play

Conduct

The results for not abiding by policy set out within Code of Conduct regarding this section will result in (Discipline may not be in order, or necessarily include, all below):

• A warning issued by the Head Coach to the parents, suspension from the team, including practices, team events and game play and/or being removed from the team

Equipment

The results for not abiding by policy set out within Code of Conduct regarding this section will result in:

• The player being required to complete extra conditioning at the coaches discretion, possibly being restricted of playing time and/or being suspended from practices, team events and game play