Hockey Australia

2025 Hockey Australia National Registration Terms and Conditions

Your application for membership will be considered and may be accepted or rejected in accordance with the relevant AHO's governing rules. In consideration of Your application for membership of the AHO, You agree to the following terms and conditions:

Definitions

1.       In these terms and conditions, the following words have the corresponding meaning:

(a)       Activity means participating in any capacity in any hockey match, competition, event, or activity (including training), whether on a one-off basis or as part of a series, league, or competition, which is sanctioned or organised by a Relevant Organisation, including but not limited to participation as a player, coach, support personnel, official or administrator.

(b)       Australian Hockey Organisation (AHO), which means and includes Hockey Australia, Member Associations, Regional Associations and Clubs.

(c)       Club means any hockey club which is a member of, or affiliate to a Regional Association or Member Association that enters a player or a team to participate in an Activity.

(d)       Hockey Australia (HA) means Hockey Australia Limited (ACN 088 988 836).

(e)       Member Association (MA) means each state and territory member of Hockey Australia recognised under the Hockey Australia Constitution.

(f)        National Integrity Framework (NIF) means the Hockey Australia National Integrity Framework consisting of the following five (5) policies:

a.         Safeguarding Children and Young People Policy

b.        Member Protection Policy;

c.         Competition Manipulation and Sport Gambling Policy;

d.        Improper Use of Drugs and Medicine Policy; and

e.         Complaints, Disputes and Discipline Policy

subject to amendment from time to time and made available at www.hockey.org.au/integrity.

(g)       Participant means a person who is registered, or entitled to participate, in an Australian Hockey Organisation Activity

(h)       Regional Association means those regional or metropolitan hockey associations which are members of, or affiliated to a Member Association.

(i)         Rules mean all rules, regulations, by-laws and policies of the relevant Australian Hockey Organisation, including but not limited to the:

a.         Relevant AHO’s constitution;

b.        Hockey Australia National Integrity Framework;

c.         Hockey Australia Code of Conduct;

d.        Hockey Australia Social Media Policy; and

e.         Hockey Australia Concussion Policy

subject to amendment from time to time and made available at www.hockey.org.au/integrity or as made available by the relevant AHO.

(j)         You, Your or Yourself means you, and any child or young person under 18 upon whose behalf you register with an Australian Hockey Organisation, and accept these terms and conditions, where the context so permits.

Compliance with Rules

2.       You commit to safeguarding all Participants, particularly children and young people, from harmful behaviours such as abuse, bullying, harassment, discrimination, grooming, and other forms of misconduct. You are expected to report any incidents or concerns promptly.

3.       You agree to be bound by and comply with all Rules, directions, determinations, and decisions made by the relevant AHO.

4.       You acknowledge and accept that breaching any Rules may result in disciplinary action.

5.       Without limiting the application of any relevant Rules or any right to terminate Your membership under the AHO's governing rules, the AHO may terminate your membership registration at any time, including if your participation or behaviour interferes with any other Participant's safety or enjoyment of hockey, subject to any requirements of the AHO's constitution.

6.       You accept responsibility for familiarising yourself with the Rules and any updates, as well as additional Rules adopted by the relevant AHO and communicated to You in the future.

7.       HA will provide educational resources to assist Participants in understanding their obligations under the National Integrity Framework and other Rules. Visit www.hockey.org.au/integrity  for more information.

Reporting Obligations

8.       You agree that if you see, hear, or experience any suspicious or unwelcome activity, or any integrity issues or concerns, including but not limited to child safety, abuse, harassment, bullying, match-fixing or doping, you must report it through one of the following channels:

·       Email: integrity@hockey.org.au

·       Online: https://hockeyaustralia.stoplinereport.com

·       Phone: 1300 30 45 50

·       Child Safeguarding and Discrimination complaints can be lodged directly to Sport Integrity Australia online at https://www.sportintegrity.gov.au/contact-us/make-an-integrity-complaint-or-report

Assumption of Risk

9.       There are risks associated with participation in Activities, and accidents can and do happen, which may result in personal injury, death, or property damage. You should ensure You are aware of all risks involved, including those associated with any health condition You may have. You acknowledge, understand, and accept all risks involved in Your participation in Activities.

10.   You consent to receive any medical treatment that an AHO reasonably considers necessary or desirable for You during your participation in Activities if you cannot make a rational decision about your consent at the time. You also agree to reimburse the relevant AHO for any costs or expenses incurred in providing you with such medical treatment.

Disclosure of medical conditions

11.   You warrant that prior to undertaking any Activities You are:

a.         and must continue to be medically and physically fit and able to undertake and participate in Activities; and

b.        not a danger to Yourself or to the health and safety of others.

12.   You acknowledge that You must not participate in any Activities if you have any preexisting medical or other condition that may affect the risk that either You or any other person will suffer injury, loss or damage.

13.   You acknowledge that AHOs rely on information provided by You and that all such information is accurate and complete.

14.   You agree to report any accidents, injuries, loss or damage You suffer during any Activities to the relevant AHO before You leave any relevant venue in the manner required by the relevant AHO.

Privacy and Use of Personal Information

15.    The personal information that the AHO collects from You may be used and disclosed for the purposes set out in the HA Privacy Policy available at www.hockey.org.au/integrity and the privacy policy of the AHO, if any, including administering and marketing competitions, activities and other events; and the provision of hockey-related information and communication from AHOs.

16.   You may opt out of your email being used for communication purposes by contacting the AHO and/or managing your communication preferences online.

17.   The AHO may use third parties (such as IT providers, venue operators or survey providers) to collect your personal information or give them your information to help run hockey, as required by law. The AHO will always act in accordance with the Australian Hockey Privacy Policy and its privacy policy, if any.

18.   Subject to applicable Rules (including the HA Privacy Policy), You consent to photographs and video captured, recorded and livestreamed during your participation in any Activities and to AHOs using your name, image and likeness in any form or medium for:

a.         general marketing and promotional activities related to hockey in Australia; or

b.        the administration of hockey in Australia (e.g., to assist in identifying and investigating prohibited conduct under the NIF or for use in disciplinary proceedings, including tribunal hearings)

in each case without your further consent being necessary.

19.   If you do not wish to consent to your name, image and likeness being used for general marketing and promotional activities related to hockey in Australia, please notify the relevant AHO.

20.   An AHO may apply additional terms and conditions in relation to your registration, including, but not limited to, the collection of your personal information.

21.   Where there is any overlap between these terms and conditions and additional terms applied by an AHO in accordance with clause 18, the additional terms prevail to the extent of the inconsistency.

Insurance and Membership Cancellation

22.   You become entitled to a level of insurance protection as detailed at www.hockey.org.au/play/registration-and-insurance. This coverage is limited and does not include all potential risks. You are strongly encouraged to review your personal insurance needs to ensure comprehensive protection while participating in Activities.

23.   Subject to any requirements of the AHO's constitution, you must notify the AHO in writing if you wish to cancel your registration. Following the AHO's confirmation to you of your registration cancellation, you will have no entitlement to the benefits that attach to Participants.

24.   Refunds will only be provided in the circumstances set out in the HA Refund Policy.

Parent/Guardian Declaration

Where the applicant is under 18 years of age the below must be acknowledged by the applicant’s parent or legal guardian: 

You authorise and consent to the applicant registering and participating in Activities. In consideration of the applicant's membership to the AHO being accepted, You expressly agree to be responsible for the applicant's behaviour and agree to accept, in your capacity as parent or guardian, the terms set out in this membership declaration. In addition, You agree to be bound by and to comply with the Rules and all other rules, regulations, by-laws and policies of the AHO.

Esperance Hockey Association

 CODE OF CONDUCT

The following Code of Conduct is applicable for all Players, Coaches, Umpires, Technical Officials, Clubs, Parents and Spectators participating in or attending EHA competitions or representing EHA at approved competitions. The Code of Conduct allows for all involved to learn, improve and enjoy participation in the game and hence assist in fostering the sport of hockey.

JUNIOR PLAYERS

•       Play by the rules.

•       Play for enjoyment, not just to win or please your parents or coach.

•       Never argue with umpires’ decisions. Let your coach ask any necessary questions.

•       Control your temper. No swearing, abuse or sledging.

•       Remember, hockey is a team game. Encourage your team mates.

•       Be a good sport. Recognise your opponents’ good play, as well as your own teams.

•       Exercise reasonable care to prevent injury by ensuring that you play within the rules.  Accept responsibility for all actions taken.

•       Co-operate with your coach, team mates and respect your opponents.

SENIOR PLAYERS

•       Play by the rules.

•       Play for enjoyment, not just to win.

•       Never argue with umpires’ decisions either during or after the game. The team captains can approach the umpire at the conclusion of the game after a grace period of 10 minutes.  The umpire may choose to have the umpire co-ordinator with him/her to assist.

•       Never abuse, harass or swear at coaches, umpires, officials, parents, spectators or other players.

•       Remember, hockey is a team game. Encourage your team mates.

•       Be a good sport. Recognise your opponents’ good play, as well as your own teams.

•       Exercise reasonable care to prevent injury by ensuring that you play within the rules.  Accept responsibility for all actions taken.

•       Co-operate with your coach, team mates and respect your opponents.

COACHES

•       Teach your players to play by the rules.

•       Be reasonable in your demands on players’ time and enthusiasm.

•       Don’t put winning above all else.

•       Never ridicule or scold a player for making a mistake.

•       Develop team respect for opponents, umpires and opposing coaches.

•       Never abuse, harass or criticise umpires or your own or opposition players, coaches or officials.

•       Be generous with your praise and set a good example so players can respect their coach.

•       Keep yourself informed on sound coaching principles.

•       Show concern and caution toward sick and injured players.

•       Deal with bad behaviour and unsporting conduct swiftly. If relating to juniors, involve the offending child’s parents in resolving the problem.

UMPIRES

•       Always attempt to be unbiased in game decisions and look to utilise the other umpire when in doubt.

•       Never initiate or return abuse or harassment from a player, coach, parent or spectator.

•       Always check for the appropriate wearing of protective equipment.

•       Keep yourself informed on the laws of hockey and sound umpiring principles.

•       Deal with bad behaviour and unsporting conduct during the game swiftly before it escalates.

TECHNICAL OFFICIALS

•       Never initiate or return abuse or harassment from a player, coach, parent or spectator.

•       Deal with bad behaviour and unsporting conduct swiftly before it escalates.

•       Keep yourself informed on the laws of hockey and always attempt to be unbiased in decisions.

CLUB/TEAM

•       Teach your players to play by the rules.

•       Remember children are involved in hockey for their enjoyment, not the clubs/teams.

•       Encourage your players to be on their best behaviour as they are representing your club/team. 

•       Never abuse, harass or criticise their own or opposition players, coaches or umpires.

•       Don’t put winning above all else.

•       Deal with bad behaviour and unsporting conduct swiftly. For juniors, involve the offending child’s parents in resolving the problem.

•       Keep yourself informed on the performance and behaviour of your Teams, Coaches, Players, Parents and Spectators.

•       Show Club/Team respect for opposition Clubs/Teams, Players, Umpires, Coaches and opposing Spectators.

PARENTS AND SPECTATORS

•       Remember that children play sport for their fun. They are not there to entertain you.

•       Never abuse, harass or criticise players, coaches, umpires or officials. Be on your best behaviour.

•       Do not enter the playing field at any time whilst a game is in progress, unless requested by the umpire.

•       Applaud good play by both teams and show respect for your opponents.

•       Encourage players to play according to the rules.

•       Teach children that making the effort is as important as winning.

•       Help children improve their skills by the lessons of defeat as well as victory.

•       Support all volunteers assisting to run the game including the umpires, officials, coaches and team managers. They give up their own time to provide the recreational activities for the enjoyment of all players and without them, there would be no hockey.

TREATMENT OF EQUIPMENT & FACILITIES

Maltreatment of equipment or facilities, either the Associations, Club’s or individuals (including indiscriminate throwing of a hockey stick) is unacceptable and will not be tolerated and appropriate disciplinary action will be undertaken if this occurs.

CODE OF CONDUCT DISCIPLINARY ACTIONS

EHA will not tolerate serious breaches of the Code of Conduct and any person or clubs found to have seriously breached the Code may be subject to disciplinary action.  Such action may take the form of a verbal and/or written caution, suspensions, banning from attending games or other sanctions as deemed appropriate.

RESOLUTION OF DISPUTES

Players and parents are requested to raise and attempt to resolve any game matters of concern with their relevant coach, team manager or umpire (through their captain) on the day or as soon as possible after the incident.

1.       In the first instance the Team Coach / Captain aims to resolve the matter with the Umpire and/or Umpire Coordinator or Grade Coordinator (juniors)

2.       If the matter is not resolved amicably or to the satisfaction of those concerned, then the matter will be referred to the Umpire Coordinator(s), Grade Captain and at least 3 executives who will convene and attempt to resolve the matter

3.       If it still cannot be resolved, the Executive Committee will review and if determined necessary refer the matter to the tribunal.