9.29 Green Arm Band Policy, Policies, ALLIANCE Manual of Operations (Minor Hockey Alliance of Ontario)

.1 OVERVIEW
ALLIANCE Hockey is committed to deterring all physical and verbal maltreatment of on-ice officials. There should be no unreasonable pressure, negative expression, intimidation, or other acts of maltreatment towards on-ice officials.

The Green Arm Band policy is designed to support on-ice officials by having entry level and/or minor-aged officials sporting green arm bands signaling a reminder to participants and spectators to modify and control negative emotions and behaviour before, during and after games.

 

.2 OBJECTIVES
         .1 To provide an effective deterrent and support mechanism for entry level and/or minor-aged on-ice officials.

 

         .2 Using green arm bands is proposed to reduce the incidence(s) of Hockey Canada Section 11, Maltreatment towards entry level and/or minor-aged on-ice officials.  Furthermore, it is intended to provide a safe and respectful hockey experience, encourage officiating growth and development, and reduce the current rate of officiating attrition.

 

         .3 Entry level and/or minor-aged officials are considered in training and will sometimes make mistakes throughout their development. Through the green arm band initiative, participants and spectators are reminded to be patient, show respect, and avoid any form of Maltreatment directed towards the on-ice officials.

 

.3 DEFINITIONS
     League – ALLIANCE Hockey, and Member Hockey Associations

     Minor-Aged Official – Minor official aged 14-17

     Participant – Any participating Team Official and/or on-ice player

     Recreational/MD Hockey - House League, House League Select, U8 MD, U9 MD

     Spectators – Anyone observing a minor hockey game (other than the on-ice participants/bench staff)

    Supplementary Discipline - Suspension or sanction in addition to OHF suspensions or sanctions

 

.4 SCOPE
        .1 All participating officials are registered for the current season, Hockey Canada certified and working in sanctioned Recreational/MD League programming.

 

        .2 Applicable to any suspendable Hockey Canada Section 11 Maltreatment offence towards any on-ice entry level and/or minor-aged official.

 

.5 POLICY DIRECTIVES
         .1 All entry level and/or minor aged on-ice officials are mandated to wear the standard green arm band on the left arm, between the elbow and shoulder during all sanctioned recreational/MD hockey games.

         .2 Any participant (on-ice player and/or Team Official) assessed with a suspendable offence under Hockey  Canada Section 11, Maltreatment towards any green arm band-wearing Official will be administered Supplementary Discipline as determined by the Minimum Supplemental Discipline for Maltreatment of Green Arm Band Official Guideline including: Game Misconduct, Gross Misconduct, and/or Match Penalty, under Hockey Canada Rules. Supplementary Discipline under this Policy will be in addition to any imposed OHF suspension(s).

.6 PROCEDURES
         .1 The on-ice official(s) shall properly identify any offence(s) under Hockey Canada Section 11, Maltreatment towards any green arm band-wearing Official.

         .2 Any offence(s) assessed to a participant, shall be subject to the Minimum Supplemental Discipline outlined in the chart below. 

         .3 Any offence(s) committed by a spectator, would be recorded on the game report with follow up from ALLIANCE Hockey in conjunction with the local MHA.

 

Minimum Supplemental Discipline for Maltreatment of a Green Arm Band Official Guideline: