Fair play is a universal concept that forms the foundation of all sports even modern Olympic games.

Fair play does not change the rules of the game.

Fair play goes far beyond scoring and winning, it is about the development of skills and character, on and off the ice, this leads to a lifelong enjoyment of sport and recreation.

Fair play allows all athletes the same opportunity to develop skills, the chance to display those skills with respect, and gives them the sense to develop an appreciation for the efforts of all participants.

All involved must be proactive and good role models in the promotion of the values of fair play. The following are recommended fair play codes for players and parents.

Fair Play Code

for the players

• I play hockey because I like to, not because others or coaches want me to.
• I will always play by the rules of hockey and in the spirit of the game.
• I will control my temper (fighting and “mouthing off” can spoil the activity for everyone
• I will respect my opponents.
• I will always do my best to be a true team player
• I will remember that winning is not everything and that having fun, improving my skills and making friends and doing my best are also important.
• I will also acknowledge all good plays and performances of my team and of my opponents.
• I will remember that coaches and officials are there to help me. I will accept their decisions and show them all respect.

Fair Play Code

for parents

• I will not force my child to participate in hockey.
• I will remember that my child plays hockey for his or her enjoyment, not for mine.
• I will encourage my child to play by the rules and to resolve conflicts without resorting to hostility or violence.
• I will teach my child that doing one’s best is as important as winning so that my child will never feel defeated by the outcome of a game.
• I will make my child feel like a winner every time by offering him or her praise for competing fairly and trying hard.
• I will never ridicule or yell at my child for making a mistake or losing.
• I will remember that children learn best by example.
• I will applaud good plays/performances by both my child’s team and their opponents.
• I will never question the officials’ judgement or honesty in public.
• I will support all efforts to remove verbal and physical abuse from children’s hockey games.
• I will respect and show appreciation for the volunteer coaches who give their time to coach hockey for my child.
• I will show respect for my team’s opponents because without them there would be no game.
• I will not use bad language, nor will I harass players, coaches, officials or other spectators.

Excerpt from Safety Requires Teamwork

HOCKEY CANADA

Fairness and integrity for Success

The sport Hockey is a great way for kids to learn self-confidence, discipline, team play and sportsmanship and human excellence while having fun. This is why fair play is so important.

Your job as a parent is to make sure they are learning and having fun. The best way to do this is to encourage and motivate your children in positive ways.

Best behaviour Tips for hockey

“Rules to live by for life”

Always remember to emphasize that hockey is a game and games are fun.

Whenever talking to your child about other hockey players, coaches or other teams always remember to speak highly of them. Not only praise your child’s performance but praise the team’s performance in general and the coach for taking his or her time to coach and teach your kids. If you show respect for others in the organization your kids will learn to show respect as well.

One of the most important things to remember after practices or games is not to bombard your kids with questions. Interrogating them will just add stress. Never talk to kids about what they did wrong. Wait for your kids to start talking to you if there is something they want to mention about what went right or wrong.

Learn all about hockey, having the ability to familiarize yourself with the rules of hockey and basic strategies will help you understand referee calls and take any frustrations you might have.

Mentally prepare yourself – Make sure in your own mind that you are 100% clear that hockey is about having fun, meeting friends and learning new skills. Putting your child in hockey does not mean you are prepping them for hockey scholarships or the NHL.

Get Involved – The best way to motivate your kids is to show them how much you want to be involved! If they see that you are excited about the hockey games then they are going to be excited about the games. That means volunteering or playing pick-up with your kids or even just watching hockey games on TV together. Make this a personal achievement.

The most important thing is to help your kids handle their feelings and behaviour in a positive way – Kids can get upset and frustrated and lose self-control easily if they lost or they feel they didn’t play well enough or win. Help them out by remaining positive and suggesting that they be positive as well. This is such an important skill in life.