Basketball Manitoba: Provincial Team Policies

Basketball Manitoba commits to providing your child with a safe and challenging program that offers them an opportunity to develop their abilities and test their skill against the top athletes in their age group from coast to coast. In the return for this opportunity, athletes and their parents or guardians have a number of reciprocal responsibilities to the team’s athletes, coaching staff, and Basketball Manitoba. All parents or guardians should read and familiarize themselves with the information below. Within you will find all the major policies and procedures that govern our program.

Contents

Goals & Priorities
Program Code of Conduct
Guidelines for Behavior
Accountability
Athlete Code of Conduct
Parent / Guardian Conduct
Team Dress Code
Supporting the Policies
Athlete Contract
Playing Time
Athlete Discipline
Athlete Attendance & Participation
Team Travel
Respecting Team Equipment
Harassment Policy & Procedures
Discipline Policy
Provincial Team Home

Program Goals and Priorities
The primary objective of the Provincial Team Program is to develop the competition skills of athletes deemed to have high developmental potential.

Therefore:

Athletes are selected based on a combination of both their current skills and potential for development to play at advanced levels of competition.

Practice and game schedules are planned and executed to offer athletes an opportunity to prepare and compete against teams that will challenge and test their ability to play at an advanced level of competition.

As secondary objectives, the program will:

Endeavor to maximize team standing at all inter-provincial competitions - playing to win within the rules and code of conduct for fair play.

Provide athletes with maximum exposure to facilitate personal evaluation for university and / or national team opportunity.

Program Code of Conduct

Basketball Manitoba believes that Provincial Team Program basketball plays a fundamental and integral role in the physical, social and mental well-being of the individual in society and that it provides opportunities of personal growth and development.

It believes that sport should provide a positive experience for all involved, promote fairness and equity in the attainment of sport goals, and be played in accordance with the rules of the game.

For these reasons all participants - athletes, coaches, officials, managers and administrators - involved in activities under the jurisdiction of Basketball Manitoba have a duty to conduct themselves in a reasonable and acceptable manner, respecting the goals of Basketball Manitoba. They must avoid all unsportsmanlike conduct, acts or practices that are detrimental to the reputation of the sport.

Individuals are expected to:

obey the laws of Manitoba and those of any province or country that they may visit in the pursuit of athletic opportunities;

obey the rules of competition of basketball;

not accept money or other considerations to interfere in the fair outcome of a match;

not be party to any payment of money or other consideration to another person to unfairly effect the outcome of a match;

not participate in betting or act as a bookmaker on matches or tournaments under the jurisdiction of Basketball Manitoba;

respect the property of others and not willfully cause damage to occur;

act in good faith with tournament organizers and appear at any game or tournament or match in which they have entered and do not have valid reason for their failure to appear;

properly represent themselves on entry forms and not attempt to enter a competition for which they are not eligible, by reason of age, classification or other reasons;

act in a sportsmanlike manner and not display appearances of violence, through acts of temper or aggression to other athletes, officials or spectators;

use appropriate language and not display a disrespectful attitude by using profanities or obscene language or gestures to any other athlete, official or to spectators;

respect their bodies and refrain from the use of banned substances;

behave as "good will" ambassadors of Canada, Manitoba, and Basketball Manitoba whenever they participate.

Guidelines for Behaviour

Basketball Manitoba is committed to providing an environment in which all individuals are treated with respect. Further, Basketball Manitoba supports equal opportunity and prohibits discriminatory practices.

Provincial Team Program participants are expected to conduct themselves at all times in a manner consistent with the values of Basketball Manitoba, which include fairness, integrity, open communication and mutual respect. Conduct that violates these values may be subject to sanctions pursuant to Basketball Manitoba's Provincial Team Program discipline policy.

In addition to the above, the following specific behaviours will be subject to sanction pursuant to the discipline policy:

not complying with the by-laws, rules, regulations or policies of Basketball Manitoba, as adopted and amended from time to time;

verbally or physically abusing opponents, officials, spectators or sponsors; Basketball Manitoba personnel, team-mates, coaching staff, support staff, peers or volunteers

showing disrespect to officials, including the use of foul language and obscene or offensive gestures;

abusing basketball facilities or equipment;

failing to comply with the conditions of entry in a Basketball Manitoba event including any rules with regard to clothing or advertising;

any other unreasonable conduct which brings Basketball Manitoba, its' sponsors and l or the sport of basketball into disrepute, including but not limited to, abusive use of alcohol, non-medical use of drugs, use of alcohol by minors.

Accountability

All athletes are accountable to the Board of Directors through the Head Coach, Assistant Coach, Director of High Performance and the Executive Director.

Athlete Code of Conduct

Our mission is to have:

Athletes and coaches play a positive role in the game of basketball.

Athletes and coaches act as a role model for spectators.

Athletes and coaches represent their team and Basketball Manitoba in an appropriate manner.

During competition, athletes and coaches are expected to:

Compete to the best of their abilities.

Keep sportsmanship as the first priority.

Encourage teammates to abide by the rules in letter and spirit.

Respect and be courteous to the organizers, volunteers, and other assisting in the staging of the event.

Respect an official’s decision and encourage teammates to do the same.

Respect facilities in which they play.

Dress appropriately for all Basketball Manitoba events.

Parent / Guardian Conduct

Our mission is to have spectators play a positive role in the game of basketball and positively support the participating athletes, officials and coaches.

With a supportive attitude and a fundamental understanding of the "basics" of Basketball by a parent or guardian, everyone will come away from their youth sports experience with a positive feeling.

In The Stands

Parents will take the fun out of basketball by continually yelling or screaming from the stands. Instead, parents should enjoy the game and applaud good plays. The stands are not a place from which parents should try to personally coach their children. Kids often mirror the actions of their parents; if they see mom or dad losing their cool in the stands, they'll probably do the same on the court.

Car And Home

Some parents believe that the car is the perfect place for post-game or-practice instruction. Parents should keep a perspective that there's more to life than basketball, and the car and home are not places to critique your child’s performance.

At Practice

If a child wants to improve, they must to practice -- not just play. Even if a child is not the "star" player, practice stresses the importance of teamwork, establishing goals, discipline and learning to control your emotions, all of which are important lessons children can use both in and away from sports.

Provincial Team Program

The Provincial Team Program has been developed to make certain that a child's experience with basketball is positive, safe and fun. Parents should avoid pressuring or placing unreasonable expectations on their children. No matter what happens on the court, children need your support, so always strive to be positive.

Support Your Child

There are many benefits from playing youth basketball. Athletes learn good sportsmanship and self-discipline. They learn to work together, how to sacrifice for the good of the team, how to enjoy winning and how to handle defeat. In the process, they also learn important lessons about physical fitness and personal health. The degree to which your child benefits from their basketball experience is as much your responsibility as it is theirs. For your child to get the most out of a youth basketball it is important for you to show support and offer encouragement while maintaining a genuine interest in the team.

Always Be Positive

Parents serve as role models for their children, who often look to adults for advice, direction and approval. Never lose sight of the fact that you are a role model, and strive to be a positive role model. As a parent, one of the most important things you can do is show good sportsmanship at all times to coaches, referees, opponents and team mates. Remember that your children are PLAYING basketball. It is important to allow them to establish their own goals and play the game for themselves. Be careful not to impose your own standards or objectives.

Let The Coach “Coach”

Parents are responsible for supporting and respecting the coach's decisions and abilities. It is unfair to put children in a position of having to decide who to listen to -- their parents or the coach.

Positive Reinforcement

Avoid placing an exaggerated emphasis on winning. The most important aspect of your child's youth basketball experience is for them to have fun while developing physical and emotional skills that will serve them in life. A healthy, risk-free environment that emphasizes the importance of fair play, sportsmanship, discipline and, most importantly, fun will be invaluable for your child as he or she continues to develop a positive self image. The best way to help children achieve goals and reduce any fear of failure is through positive reinforcement. After all, no one likes to make mistakes. If your child does make a mistake -- and they will (remember, they're just kids) -- keep in mind that mistakes are an important part of the overall learning process. Strive to be supportive and point out the things they do well. Make your child feel like a winner.

Team Dress Code

All athletes and coaches must dress in an appropriate manner when representing Basketball Manitoba and the Provincial Program at any Provincial Program events including, but not limited to, meetings, travel, competitions, etc. Unacceptable dress includes T-shirts, sport shorts (except Team Manitoba issue), track pants (except Team Manitoba issue), sport sandals, and jeans.

This policy does not apply to leisure time or team practices although athletes and coaches are expected to avoid inappropriate dress at all times.

Supporting Basketball Manitoba Policies and Procedures

Athletes and coaches will at all times publicly support the policies and procedures of the coaching staff and Basketball Manitoba.

Participating Athlete Contract

All athletes will be required to sign a letter of agreement stating that they have reviewed, understand, and agree to support all policies and procedures relative to the Basketball Manitoba Provincial Team Program.

Playing Time

Individual playing time for athletes will be at the sole discretion of the team coaching staff.

Athlete Discipline

Athletes agree to be bound by the Basketball Manitoba Provincial Team Program discipline policy and will at all times conduct themselves in accordance with the Guidelines for Behavior.

In all cases, athletes will respect and comply with the decisions and requests of the coaching staff and / or ‘Head of Delegation’.

Athlete Attendance and Participation

Participating athletes are expected to attend all team practices, games, and scheduled activities. Absence from any Provincial Team Program activity must be approved in advance by a member of the team coaching staff. Repeated absences will, at the discretion of the coaching staff or Basketball Manitoba, result in termination of membership on the team.

Athletes will be excused from team activities due to religious holidays consistent with their personal faith.

Team Travel

When traveling athletes will:

Serve as an ambassador of Basketball Manitoba, its board and membership.

Further Basketball Manitoba's standing as a well-respected member of the national basketball community.

Abide by Basketball Manitoba's policies and procedures.

Athletes will be ambassadors of Basketball Manitoba at national or other competitions. Their responsibilities include but are not limited to:

Being punctual according the travel schedule and agenda as communicated by the coaching staff or ‘Head of Delegation’.

Attend all team events and activities.

Abide by team ‘in hotel’ and ‘in room’ curfews.

Supplying the coaching staff with emergency contact information.

Ensuring sufficient money is brought on the trip to pay for meals and other expenses.

Ensuring that they are traveling with sufficient identification or travel documents.

Ensuring that a coach or the Head of Delegation are aware of the athlete’s whereabouts if they are to leave the team’s accommodations and or playing / practice facility.

Spectators wishing to travel out of province to support the Provincial Team Program must make their own travel and accommodation arrangements.

Spectators are asked to choose alternate accommodations and travel itineraries from the Provincial Teams unless shared travel arrangements are offered by Basketball Manitoba.

For reasons pertaining to insurance and custody, all athletes will travel to and from all out of province competitions with the team unless parental permission is sought and received in writing and in advance from the Executive Director.

Respecting Team Equipment

Athletes will respect all facilities (transportation, accommodation, practice, competition) and playing equipment. Athletes will be financially responsible for the full amount of any damage done to facilities or equipment. An athlete doing willful damage is subject to penalties under the discipline policy.

Note: Athletes are expected to refrain from dunking, attempting to dunk, or hanging on basket supports and rims at all times. Such conduct can lead to significant damage. Athletes will be responsible for the full cost of repairs if they are involved in such activities.

Harassment Policy and Procedures

Note: For convenience, this policy uses the term “Complainant” to refer to the person who experiences harassment, even though not all persons who experience harassment will make a formal complaint. The term “Respondent” refers to the person against whom a complaint is made.

Basketball Manitoba is committed to providing opportunities for all individuals in the sport of basketball to reach their potential in fitness and excellence. In keeping with the spirit of this statement, Basketball Manitoba is committed to providing a sport and work environment, which promotes equal opportunities and prohibits discriminatory practices.

Harassment is a form of discrimination. Harassment is prohibited by human rights legislation in Canada.

Harassment is offensive, degrading and threatening. In its most extreme forms, harassment can be an offense under Canada’s Criminal Code.

Application

This policy applies to all members of Basketball Manitoba, as well as to all individuals engaged in activities with or employed by Basketball Manitoba, including, but not limited to, athletes, coaches, officials, volunteers, directors, officers, team managers, team captains, medical and paramedical personnel, administrators and employees (including contract personnel).This policy applies to harassment which may occur during the course of Basketball Manitoba business, activities and events, including but not limited to basketball competitions, training camps, exhibitions, meetings and travel associated with these activities. It also applies to harassment between individuals associated with Basketball Manitoba but outside of Basketball Manitoba's business and events when such harassment adversely affects relationships within Basketball Manitoba’s work and sport environment.

Harassment arising within the business, activities and events of member organizations of Basketball Manitoba shall be dealt with using the policies and mechanisms of such organizations

Definitions

Harassment can generally be defined as comment or conduct, directed toward an individual or group of individuals, which is insulting, intimidating, humiliating, malicious, degrading or offensive.

For the purposes of this policy, sexual harassment is defined as unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favours or other verbal or physical conduct of a sexual nature when:

submitting to or rejecting this conduct is used as the basis for making decisions which affect the individual; or

such conduct has the purpose or effect of interfering with an individual’s performance; or

such conduct creates an intimidating, hostile or offensive environment.

Types of behaviour which constitute harassment include, but are not limited to:

written or verbal abuse or threats

the display of visual material which is offensive or which one ought to know is offensive

unwelcome remarks, jokes, comments, innuendo or taunting about a person’s looks, body, attire, age, race, religion, sex or sexual orientation

leering or other suggestive or obscene gestures

condescending, paternalistic or patronizing behaviour which is intended to undermine self-esteem, diminish performance or adversely affect working conditions

practical jokes which cause awkwardness or embarrassment, endanger a person’s safety or negatively affect performance

unwanted physical contact including touching, petting, pinching or kissing

unwelcome sexual flirtations, advances, requests or invitations

any form of hazing

physical or sexual assault.

Complaint Procedure

A person who experiences harassment is encouraged to make it known to the harasser that the behaviour is unwelcome, offensive and contrary to this policy.

If confronting the harasser is not possible, or if after confronting the harasser the harassment continues, the complainant should request a meeting with an official of Basketball Manitoba who is not a party to the complaint (for the purposes of this policy, an “official” may be a member of the Basketball Manitoba Board, the Executive Director or a staff person, or any member of the coaching staff including coach or assistant coach).

Once contacted by a complainant the role of the official is to serve in a neutral, unbiased capacity in receiving the complaint and assisting in its informal resolution. If the official considers that he/she is unable to act in this capacity, the complainant shall be referred to another Basketball Manitoba official.

There are three possible outcomes to this meeting of complainant and official:

It may be determined that the conduct does not constitute harassment as defined in this policy, in which case the matter will be closed;

The complainant may decide to pursue an informal resolution of the complaint, in which case the official will assist the two parties to negotiate an acceptable resolution of the complaint; or

The complainant may decide to make a formal written complaint to Basketball Manitoba in which case the official shall advise the President of Basketball Manitoba, who may appoint an independent individual to conduct an investigation of the complaint.

Ideally, the Investigator should be a person experienced in harassment matters and investigation techniques, and may be an outside professional. He/she shall carry out the investigation in a timely manner and at the conclusion of the investigation shall submit a written report to the President.

Within 14 days of receiving the written report of the Investigator, or within 14 days of receipt of the formal complaint if no investigation is ordered under Section 14(c), the President shall appoint three individuals to serve as a Panel.

Harassment complaints occurring within competitions may be dealt with immediately, if necessary, by a Basketball Manitoba representative in a position of authority, provided the individual being disciplined is told the nature of the infraction and has an opportunity to provide information concerning the incident. In such situations, sanctions shall be for the duration of the competition only. Further sanctions may be applied but only after review of the matter in accordance with the procedures set out in this policy. This review does not replace the appeal provisions of this policy

This policy shall not prevent a person in authority taking immediate, informal corrective disciplinary action in response to behaviour that, in their view, constitutes a minor incidence of harassment.

Non – Harassment Related Coach or Athlete Complaint Procedures

All non-harassment related complaints related to any aspects of the Provincial Team Program are to be directed to the Director of High Performance who will, at his or her discretion, involve members of the Board of Directors or professional staff to respond in a timely fashion to the complaint.

Any member of the Board of Directors or professional staff acting in a supervisory capacity at any team event, competition, practice, or trip will use their discretion to deal with any non-harassment coach or athlete complaints. They will, at his or her discretion, involve members of the Board of Directors or professional staff.

Discipline Policy

This policy applies to all members of Basketball Manitoba Provincial Team Program including, but not limited to athletes, coaches, officials, volunteers, directors, team managers, team captains, medical and paramedical personnel, administrators and employees.

This policy applies to discipline matters which may arise during the course of all Basketball Manitoba business, activities and events, including but not limited to basketball competitions (including exhibition games), basketball practices, training camps, meetings and travel associated with these activities.

Minor Infractions

Minor infractions are single incidents of misconduct, which generally do not result in harm to others. Examples are listed below. All disciplinary situations involving minor infractions occurring within the jurisdiction of Basketball Manitoba will be dealt with by the appropriate person having authority over the situation and the individual involved (this person may include, but is not restricted to, a board member, basketball tournament chairperson, official, coach, team manager, team captain or head of delegation).

Procedures for dealing with minor infractions shall be informal and shall be determined at the discretion of the appropriate person having authority over the situation and the individual involved, provided the individual being disciplined is told the nature of the infraction and has an opportunity to provide information concerning the incident.

The following disciplinary sanctions may be applied, singly or in combination, for minor infractions:

verbal reprimand,

written reprimand to be filed in the office of Basketball Manitoba,

verbal apology,

hand-delivered written apology,

team service or other voluntary contribution to Basketball Manitoba,

suspension from the current competition,

other sanctions as may be considered appropriate for the offense.

Minor infractions which result in discipline shall be reported to the Executive Director at the discretion of the appropriate person having jurisdiction over the situation. Repeat minor offenses may result in subsequent incidences, which would normally be considered as a minor infraction, being considered as a major infraction.

Examples of Minor Infractions:

A single incident of disrespectful, offensive, abusive, bullying, racist or sexist comments or behaviour directed towards others, including but not limited to peers, opponents, athletes, coaches, officials, administrators, spectators and sponsors;

Conduct contrary to the ideals of fair play such as angry outbursts or arguing;

A single incident of being late for or absent from Basketball Manitoba events and activities at which attendance is expected or required;

Non-compliance with the rules and regulations under which Basketball Manitoba events are conducted, whether at the local, provincial, national or international level.

Major Infractions

Major infractions are single or repeated incidents of misconduct which result, or have the potential to result, in harm to other person or to Basketball Manitoba. Examples of major infractions are listed below. Any member, or representative, of Basketball Manitoba may report the infraction to the President, Director of High Performance, or Executive Director.

If the incident is a major infraction a hearing is required. The alleged offender shall be notified as quickly as possible and in any event no later than 10 days from communication of the incident to the President, Director of High Performance, or Executive Director, and shall be provided with a copy of this policy concurrently with being notified of the infraction.

Major infractions occurring within competition may be dealt with immediately, if necessary, by a Basketball Manitoba representative in a position of authority. The individual being disciplined shall be told the nature of the infraction and shall have the opportunity to provide information concerning the incident. In such situations, disciplinary sanctions shall be for the duration of the competition only. Further sanctions may be applied but only after review of the matter in accordance with the procedures set out in this policy for major infractions.

This review does not replace the appeal provisions of this policy.

Examples of Major Infractions:

Repeated incidents of disrespectful, offensive, abusive, bullying, racist or sexist comments or behaviour directed towards others, including but not limited to peers, opponents, athletes, coaches, officials, administrators, spectators and sponsors;

Repeated conduct contrary to the ideals of fair play such as angry outbursts or arguing;

Repeated incidents of being late for or absent from Basketball Manitoba events and activities at which attendance is expected or required;

Activities or behaviour which interfere with the organization of a competition or with any athlete's preparation for a competition;

Pranks, jokes, hazing, bullying or other activities which endanger the safety of others;

Deliberate disregard for the rules and regulations under which Basketball Manitoba events are conducted, whether at the local, provincial, national or international level;

Any conduct which results in harm to the image, credibility or reputation of Basketball Manitoba and / or its' sponsors

Abusive use of alcohol or any other illicit substance where abuse means a level of consumption which impairs the individual's ability to speak, walk or drive; causes the individual to behave in a disruptive manner; or interferes with the individual's ability to perform effectively and safely;

Abuse of basketball facilities or equipment

Any use of alcohol or any other illicit substance by minors;

Use of illicit drugs and narcotics;

Use of banned performance enhancing drugs or methods