Cyclones Amateur Hockey Association

Club Policies for All Players/Coaches/Parents
This outline sets forth the basic policies of the Cyclones Amateur Hockey Association (CAHA) concerning all participants in the organization.  The fundamental goal underlying these policies is to give the best possible experience to the greatest number of children.  While we hope that our teams will win their share of games, it is more important that the children have fun, develop hockey skills and learn the rewards of teamwork, dedicated effort and sportsmanship.  This outline is a compilation of CAHA policies.  Anyone with questions about these policies should contact a Cyclones Amateur Hockey Association Board Member.

The Cyclones Amateur Hockey Association (CAHA), in accordance with USA Hockey and the Amateur Hockey Association of Illinois (AHAI), adopts and adheres to all aspects of the Zero Tolerance Policy.  The Zero Tolerance Policy applies to coaches, players, parents and spectators.  While the majority of the policy deals with conduct during a game, mostly directed at conduct towards the on-ice officials, the 24 Hour Rule also falls under this policy.  For complete Zero Tolerance guidelines, refer to the USA Hockey/AHAI web sites.  For 24 Hour Rule Guidelines, see the section below.

Anyone found to be in violation of the Zero Tolerance Policy will receive the following minimum sanctions;

1.       Step One (First Violation) – Coach/Team Official (5 games), Player/Parent/Spectator (3 games)

2.       Step Two (Second Violation) – All individuals thirty (30) days

3.       Step Three (Third Violation) – Lifetime Expulsion from Cyclones Amateur Hockey Association

*** Please refer to the CAHA Rules & Regulations document for full details.

Each year 2.5 million people volunteer their time to help coach kids.  These coaches are the vehicle that provides organized youth athletics an existence.  As parents/guardians we will not always agree with a coach’s decision.  However, it is important to recognize that a coaches role is to make decisions for the team first and player second.  Often, we tend to recognize our coaching staff’s decisions through our player first and team second.  Also, we need to understand that most players are not aware of any problems until we, as parents/guardians, bring it to their attention.

Many sports throughout the United States have adopted the 24 hour rule in an effort to address significant concerns, while attempting to remove the emotional concerns, particularly in the presence of the youth athlete.

The Cyclones Amateur Hockey Association subscribes to the 24 Hour Rule.

Briefly, this means that parents/guardians are not allowed to confront a coach, team or league official to discuss any “negative” game or practice situation with the coaching and management staff until at least 24 hours has passed from the completion of the game or practice.  A confrontation shall consist of any conversation, which is elevated from a normal speaking tone and demeanor to one which involves yelling, profanity or derogatory comments toward said coach, team or league official.  After 24 hours have elapsed, the parent/guardian may address their concern with the coach, team or league official however the following protocol must be followed at all times:

1.       The parent/guardian will contact the team manager and report their issue or concerns to be addressed; the Team Manager is responsible to document the complaint.

2.       The Team Manager shall forward the complaint to the Level Coordinator.

3.       The Level Coordinator shall meet with the coach and obtain a documented, consensus recommendation.  The coach or coach’s representative as directed by the coach will respond to the issue of concern to the Level Coordinator. 

4.       The Level Coordinator shall respond to the parent/guardian with the coach’s reply, unless the coach chooses to respond directly.  In this situation, the Level Coordinator shall accompany the coach during any meeting between coach and parent/guardian.

5.       If the parent/guardian feels the issue of concern remains and has not been appropriately addressed, the parent/guardian may schedule a meeting with the Cyclones Amateur Hockey Association Director of Hockey and/or Rules & Ethics Committee Chairman.

Please respect the significance of the 24 Hour Rule Policy.  If we all honor this concept, concerns will be moved away from an audience with our children, a possible ill timed discussion, and issues will be viewed in the proper perspective.

*** Please refer to the CAHA Rules & Regulations document for full details regarding the 24 Hour Policy.