Guidance Notes for Expected & Unacceptable Behaviour Towards Umpires

Expected Behaviour

As per the Code of Ethics and Behaviour (Respect), all individuals involved in hockey will, at all times:

• Respect the spirit of fair play in hockey. This is more than playing within the rules. It also incorporates

the concepts of friendship, respect for others and always participating with the right spirit

• Respect the rights, dignity and worth of others

• Conduct themselves in a manner that takes all reasonable measures to protect their own safety and

the safety of others

• Promote the reputation of the sport and take all possible steps to prevent it from being brought into

disrepute

• Protect themselves and others involved in the game from verbal or physical abuse and threatening or

intimidating behaviour

• Never use inappropriate language or gestures

• Abide by the EH Safeguarding and Protecting Young People in Hockey Policy and Procedures and Good

Practice Guidelines

• Abide by the EH Equality Policy

• Abide by the EH Anti-doping Rules

• Take personal responsibility to ensure that they are suitably insured for their activities

Unacceptable Behaviour

Sadly, there has been a significant deterioration in the behaviour of a minority of players and coaches

particularly of male teams towards umpires.

The following is a reminder of what constitutes unacceptable behaviour:

DISSENT

• Appealing/questioning against a decision

• Offering opinions and advice

• Loud challenging questioning

• Arguing

ABUSE

• Persistency of the above

• Players crowding an umpire

• Swearing at an umpire

• Calling an umpire biased or a cheat

• Using threatening behaviour

Umpires are volunteers with various levels of experience, and they deserve to be treated with respect and

allowed to enjoy the game. The recruitment and retention of umpires is being adversely affected by the

poor behaviour of a minority.

Clubs and Team Captains are asked to exercise their responsibility to support umpires and to take

measures to curb poor behaviour.

Finally, to the majority who play in the real spirit of the game, thank you!