Club Handbook
(This information is accurate at time of posting and may change without notice.)
The Mavericks Club Handbook is a guide to club operations, management, policies and expectations. The purpose of the handbook is to provide parents and players with a complete package of information about the club and its operations and policies. It is intended to be a quick guide to the important aspects of the club.
IT IS IMPORTANT THAT ALL PLAYERS AND PARENTS READ AND
UNDERSTAND ALL THE INFORMATION IN THE CLUB HANDBOOK.
THE MAVERICKS WATER POLO CLUB
The Mavericks Water Polo Club is a not-for-profit, membership-based organization. The club is registered under the Ontario Business Corporations Act and has adopted by-laws governing the affairs of the corporation. A copy of the by-laws is available to all members upon request.
The Board of Directors that manage, along with the head coach, the long-term strategy and day-to-day business of the club is elected at the club’s AGM. A board member is elected to a 3-year term with approximately 3 positions available each year.
The Mavericks and its coaches make every effort to provide a fun, safe, and healthy environment for our members. We have a number of policies and principles that we enforce that are outlined in this section. parents and athletes should familiarize themselves with the information that follows.
CODE OF CONDUCT
All players must read and agree to adhere to the Mavericks Water Polo Club, Ontario Water Polo and Water Polo Canada codes of conduct.
The Mavericks Water Polo Club takes a strong position on Code of Conduct violations to ensure the safety of our athletes, coaches, officials and spectators.
Please ensure you have reviewed the codes of conduct of our various governing bodies. Members may be required to sign a copy of the Mavericks Water Polo Club Code of Conduct ahead of competition.
Note: No code of conduct can cover every possible point. We ask for common sense, consideration, cooperation, and a healthy, team-first approach.
Definitions
- The following terms have these meanings in this Code:
- “Member” – All categories of membership defined within the Mavericks Water Polo Club as well as all individuals employed by, or engaged in activities with, Mavericks Water Polo Club including, but not limited to, athletes, coaches, convenors, officials, volunteers, managers, administrators, committee members, directors and officers of Mavericks Water Polo Club, parents, and guardians and spectators.
- “OWP” – Ontario Water Polo
- “WPC” – Water Polo Canada
Purpose
- The purpose of this Code is to ensure a safe and positive environment (within Mavericks programs, activities, and events) by making Members aware that there is an expectation, at all times, of appropriate behaviour consistent with the mission of the Mavericks Water Polo Club that includes stressing the values of sportsmanship, athleticism, fair play, teamwork, and fun. Further, the Mavericks Water Polo Club supports equal opportunity, prohibits discriminatory practices, and is committed to providing an environment in which all individuals are treated with respect.
Application of this Code
- This code applies to Members’ conduct during Mavericks Water Polo Club business, activities, and events including, but not limited to, games, tournaments, practices, tryouts, training camps, travel associated with Mavericks Water Polo, OWP or WPC activities, and any meetings.
- A Member who violates this Code may be subject to sanctions. A member who violates this Code during a game bay be ejected from the game or the playing area, the official may delay the game until the Member complies with the ejection, and the Member may be subject to a discipline procedure.
- This Code also applies to Members’ conduct outside of Mavericks Water Polo Club’s business, activities, and events when such conduct adversely affects relationships within the Mavericks Water Polo Club (and its work and sport environment) and is detrimental to the image and reputation of the Mavericks Water Polo Club. Such applicability will be determined by the Mavericks Water Polo Club at its sole discretion.
Responsibilities
- Members have a responsibility to:
- Maintain and enhance the dignity and self-esteem of Mavericks Water Polo Club members and other individuals by:
- Demonstrating respect to individuals regardless of body type, physical characteristics, athletic ability, gender, ancestry, colour, ethnic or racial origin, nationality, national origin, sexual orientation, age, marital status, religion, religious belief, political belief, disability or economic status
- Focusing comments or criticism appropriately and avoiding public criticism of athletes, coaches, officials, organizers, volunteers, employees or members consistently demonstrating the spirit of sportsmanship, sport leadership, and ethical conduct
- Acting, when appropriate, to correct or prevent practices that are unjustly discriminatory
- Consistently treating individuals fairly and reasonably
- Ensuring adherence to the rules of water polo and the spirit of those rules
- Refrain from any behaviour that constitutes harassment, where harassment is defined as comment or conduct directed towards an individual or group, which is offensive, abusive, racist, sexist, degrading, or malicious. Types of behaviour that constitute harassment include, but are not limited to:
- Written or verbal abuse, threats or outbursts
- The display of visual material which is offensive or which one ought to know is offensive in the circumstances
- Unwelcome remarks, jokes, comments, innuendo, or taunts
- Leering or other suggestive or obscene gestures
- Condescending 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
- Any form of hazing
- Unwanted physical contact including, but not limited to, touching, petting, pinching or kissing
- Unwelcome sexual flirtations, advances, requests or invitations
- Physical or sexual assault
- Behaviours such as those described above that are not directed towards a specific individual or group but have the same effect of creating a negative or hostile environment
- Retaliation or threats of retaliation against an individual who reports harassment to Mavericks Water Polo Club
- Refrain from any behaviour that constitutes sexual harassment, where sexual harassment is defined as unwelcome sexual comments and sexual advances, requests for sexual favours, or conduct of a sexual nature. Types of behaviour that constitute sexual harassment include, but are not limited to:
- Sexist jokes
- Display of sexually offensive material
- Sexually degrading words used to describe a person
- Inquiries or comments about a person’s sex life
- Unwelcome sexual flirtations, advances, or propositions
- Persistent unwanted contact
- Abstain from non-medical use of drugs or the use of performance-enhancing drugs or methods.
- In the case of adults, avoid consuming alcohol in situations where minors are present and take reasonable steps to manage the responsible consumption of alcohol in adult-oriented social situations associated with Mavericks Water Polo Club events
- Respect the property of others and not willfully cause damage
- Promote water polo in the most constructive and positive manner possible
- Adhere to all federal, provincial, municipal and host country laws
- Comply, at all times, with the Mavericks Water Polo Club’s bylaws, procedures, and rules and regulations as adopted and amended from time to time
ATHLETES’ CODE OF CONDUCT
- In addition to section 6 (above), athletes will have additional responsibilities to:
- Report any medical problems in a timely fashion, when such problems may limit their ability to travel, practice or compete
- Participate and appear on-time, well-nourished and prepared to participate to their best abilities in all games, practices, training sessions, tryouts, tournaments and events
- Properly represent themselves and not attempt to play with a team for which they are not eligible by reason of age, classification, or other reason
- Adhere to the Mavericks Water Polo Club’s rules and requirements regarding clothing and equipment
- Never ridicule a participant for a poor performance or practice
- Act in a sportsmanlike manner and not display appearances of violence, foul language, or gestures to other players, officials, coaches or spectators
- Dress in a manner representative of Mavericks Water Polo Club; focusing on neatness, cleanliness, and discretion
- Act in accordance with the Mavericks Water Polo Club’s policies and procedures and, when applicable, additional rules as outlined by coaches or managers
PARENTS/GUARDIANS AND SPECTATOR’S CODE OF CONDUCT
We hope you’ll take the Parents’ Code of Conduct in the spirit it is offered. We are trying to create a positive, welcoming environment for our athletes and teams. We ask parents to contribute in a number of ways:
Please, no coaching from the stands. Not during practice, not during games. Just don’t.
The Mavericks encourage a non-smoking environment and ask that, if you smoke, to please do so away from athletes and team gatherings.
In addition to section 6 (above), Parents/Guardians and Spectators at events will:
-
- Encourage athletes to play by the rules and to resolve conflicts without resorting to hostility or violence
- Condemn the use of violence in any form
- Never ridicule a participant for making a mistake during a performance or practice
- Provide positive comments that motivate and encourage participants continued effort
- Respect the decisions and judgements of officials and encourage athletes to do the same.
- Recognize that officials, executives, and staff act in good faith, and in the best interests of the athletes and sport as a whole
- Respect the decisions and judgements of officials, and encourage athletes to do the same
- Never question an officials’ or staffs’ judgement or honesty
- Support all efforts to remove verbal and physical abuse, coercion, intimidation, and sarcasm
- Respect and show appreciation to all competitors, and to the coaches, officials, and other volunteers
- Refrain from the use of bad language, nor harass competitors, coaches, officials, parents/guardians, or other spectators
In general terms, what we ask is very simple:
- obey the law (vaping, smoking, drugs, alcohol, violence, bullying are all against the law)
- obey team rules (curfews, language, changeroom behaviour, etc.)
- obey the rules of the game
- always show respect… always
- maintain a ‘team-first’ perspective
At practice, in change rooms, at tournaments, in hotels and anytime you participate in a club sponsored or supported event, you are acting as an ambassador of the club and must behave in a manner that reflects positively on the club as a whole.
REFEREES
Refs have a tough job and we count on them to make our competitions possible. Please remember there will be different levels of refereeing experience just as we have different levels of playing experience. BUT every ref is trying to ensure a safe, fair environment for all players.
Please refrain from Booing or taunting the refs. It does not help, and our coaches don’t want refs being attacked from the stands as it only results in playing a game with a hostile referee. Our coaches have the experience to know when they want to question a ref’s calls. Please leave it to them.
MEETING COACHES/QUESTIONS, DISPUTES
TAKE A BREATH
If you find yourself in disagreement about something to do with your athlete and the club, whether it’s playing time, practice format or whatever, please take a moment to think it through before approaching your coach. A thoughtful, respectful demeanor is appreciated at all times.
- Athletes: Players should always feel that their coach is available to discuss any issue with them.
At any time that is not disruptive to a game or practice, an athlete may approach his or her coach to discuss topics such as skills, tactics, coaching, practice, game or tournament situations, difficulties they may be having, bullying, etc. The coach may address the question immediately or ask that they resume the conversation at more appropriate time. - Parents: An athlete’s parents may request a meeting with a coach to discuss their athlete’s play, progress etc. Coaches will make every effort to schedule the meeting as soon as possible upon receiving the request. Please don’t approach coaches during practices or tournaments when their attention will be on athletes and games. Issues that arise during tournaments can be discussed before or after a practice in the following week. Obviously, exceptions will be made in emergency situations.
FINANCIAL INFORMATION
EXPLANATION OF FEES
Club Fees: That which the Mavericks Water Polo Club charges to cover all of our operational costs. These include coaching, pool, team equipment (nets, balls, etc.) and administration costs for the current season running approximately nine months from mid-September to mid-June. This also includes all of the insurance fees the Club is required to pay to Ontario Water Polo (OWP), and Water Polo Canada (WPC). Fees for athletes in 10U-Senior include (1) t-shirt and (1) swimsuit.
Club Registration Administration Fee: This fee covers all of the administrative costs associated with registering the athlete for the season.
OWP/WPC Registration/Affiliation Fees: Ontario Water Polo and Water Polo Canada registration fees are combined and paid directly through the RAMP registration system. Affiliation upgrades are handled through the system.
Tournament Fees: Tournaments are charged by package on an individual basis as required. Payments are made directly through the RAMP system. When your athlete is selected to a team, you will be sent the registration link and you will register and pay for each tournament individually.
For NCL league play, we estimate the cost of the entire season up to and including Eastern Nationals. This fee includes: NCL registration fees, tournament registration fees, bus travel (if arranged by the club), and hotel. Fees do not include meals. As this fee is an estimated amount, if we underestimate or if there are increased costs throughout the season, we may require additional payment.
Should a team make National Finals, the cost for this tournament will be charged separately to that team.
Volunteer Deposit: We charge all club members a re-earnable volunteer deposit. Member families who volunteer at club events, such as team managers or in other organizational or administrative roles can earn back their volunteer deposits. Volunteer deposit is in effect for all age groups except Swim & Play.
Payment: All payments are handled through the RAMP system.
PAYMENT SCHEDULE
Please refer to the RAMP system for payment schedules and requirements for each program.
REFUND POLICY
Should you decide to leave the club part way through the season, you may be entitled to a partial refund. Any player resigning from the club must deliver written notice to the Head Coach and the registrar. Refund calculations will be made from the date of receipt of that notification.
NOTE: Ontario Water Polo/ Water Polo Canada fees are paid directly to the association by the individual at the time of registration in the RAMP system. These fees are non-refundable.
Club fees are refundable based on the following timetable:
- September 1 through October 15th of registration year: Total Mavericks Club Fee x 90%
- Up until January 1st: Total Mavericks Club Fee x 50%
- Up until February 15th: Total Mavericks Club Fee x 20%
- February 15th onwards: NO REFUND
Notes:
1) ‘Registration year’ runs from ~September 1st through June 30th.
2) If you received any ‘DISCOUNTED MEMBERSHIP’, that discount was offered contingent on a full year’s participation — you forfeit that discount by withdrawing from the club and any refund will be calculated accordingly (ie. If you received a $100 membership discount, that $100 will be deducted from any refund that may be payable.)
3) Any outstanding amounts will remain on your club account until they are paid. Failure to pay will stop you from being able to register for any other programs (including with another club).
FUNDRAISING
At this time, we do not organize any regular fundraising events as the time and effort required is rarely an attractive trade off.
HOWEVER:
Sponsorships. We urge anyone with sponsorship connections to please contact any board member and we can help provide assistance (if required) in crafting an approach to any potential sponsor or disseminating our current sponsorship package.
The Mavericks Water Polo Club will gladly accept financial corporate sponsorships and gifts in kind to help fund our programs and run our club. In return for their generosity, corporate donors may be acknowledged with advertising on our website.
All corporate sponsors must be approved by the Mavericks Board.
Charitable Donations:
Some members and individuals generously donate to the club. We gratefully accept donations to the Mavericks Water Polo Club. We do not have charitable status and cannot provide a donor tax receipt.
Please note that charitable donations may not under any circumstances be designated to support an individual player. They may be directed toward the club as a whole; or to support an NCL team; or designated to support members experiencing financial hardship.
CLUB POLICIES
Appendix A
PLAYING TIME POLICY
An invitation to a tournament is NOT a guarantee of playing time. Coaches make all decisions on who is invited to tournaments, who plays during games and how much.
The coaches take into account the player’s ability (skill level, fitness level, tactical understanding), game situation, tournament (or game) level, player’s practice record, and their ability/willingness to follow a game plan, among other considerations.
Because of the club’s competitive focus, it is not required that playing time in a game or tournament be evenly distributed. Our coaches are aware that players need competitive playing time to improve and, as possible, they will look for appropriate game situations to ensure all players receive opportunities.
It is very important for players to understand that the place to earn playing time is in practice, and it takes commitment and hard work. As a player, it is always fair to ask a coach: “What can I do to improve to the point that I will be called on to play more?”
Key Points:
- Player selection to a tournament is the sole responsibility of the coach.
- Player rotation is the sole responsibility of the coach.
- Game playing time will rarely be equitable.
- Supporting the coach’s decisions is requested from both players and parents.
DISPUTE RESOLUTION AND DISCIPLINE POLICY
Date: March 15, 2015
The club is committed to a prompt and fair resolution to all disputes that may arise between the Club, Members, Volunteers, Contractors and Employees, which may include disciplinary measures.
Dispute Resolution:
Members who have concerns with the Club, Members, Volunteers, Contractors or Employees, that cannot be resolved directly in a frank and respectful way, are encouraged to discuss the matter with their Lead/Coach (1).
If an issue cannot be resolved with the Lead/Coach for any reason, then it may be escalated to the Head Coach (2).
If the Head Coach cannot resolve, then the issue may be directed, in writing, to the Club President (3).
If the issue remains unresolved, the President will form an Investigation Committee (4) and will appoint a Chair (4a). The Chair of the Investigation Committee shall review the concern, as per the written complaint, and discuss the matter with the complainant.
If the Investigation Committee concludes that a complaint does not raise an issue of misconduct, the Chair will advise the Complainant and the President that the complaint is dismissed (5a).
If the Chair decides the complaint is valid, the Investigation Committee shall initiate further investigation (6) into the matter, which may include engaging other parties, including but not limited to, the person(s) about whom the complaint was made. Upon completion of the investigation, the Committee shall make a written report to the President advising of status and/or further steps recommended.
Depending on the nature and of the matter, magnitude of findings, and a potential risk involved, a Hearing Committee (7) may be appointed by the President, with an objective to allow involved parties to be heard in person. A hearing may include examination, cross-examination, and re-examination of all involved parties and witnesses.
Each party reserves the right to be represented by a legal representative – at their own expense.
Hearings will be closed for the public. All parties will be informed about the date of the hearing, allowing sufficient time to plan, or eventually reschedule, the hearing.
Discipline:
Where the Hearing committee finds a person guilty of misconduct, it may make one or more of the following orders, in writing:
- That the person(s) be expelled from the organization
- That the person(s) be suspended from the organization for a specified period
- That the person(s) be suspended pending the satisfaction and completion of any conditions specified
- That the respondent may participate only under conditions specified
- Any other order that the hearing committee considers just
In making an order, the Hearing Committee shall take into consideration:
- The age, experience and maturity of the person(s)
- The nature of the misconduct
- Previous precedent
- Any information which, in the opinion of the committee is reliable and relevant to the
- determination of an appropriate order, including:
- previous misconduct of the respondent, regardless of whether or not that misconduct was the subject of discipline
- the character of the respondent
- Where the Chair of the Hearing Committee believes that the person(s) whose conduct is being investigated may be guilty of a criminal offence, that person may refer the matter to an appropriate authority.
- The parties may appeal the decision of the Hearing Committee to the Board. The decision of the board is final.
- Anti-Bullying Policy
- Vulnerable Sector Screening
- Return to Play after Illness or Injury (concussion protocol)