club policies

To maintain proper supervision of the whole session, our coaches are unable to leave the field or ice at any time for any reason and will not be able to take your child to the bathroom or fill their water bottles. If your child is in the care of another parent, they are responsible for helping your child with any of these issues.

We strongly encourage all players to use the bathroom before arriving at a program as bathrooms are not available at some facilities. Our coaches are NOT permitted to take children to the bathroom at any time as we strictly abide by the RULE OF TWO policy. Parents/guardians must accompany their children to and from the bathroom.

We are committed to maintaining the health, well-being, and safety of all our participants. Safety is a top priority for those participating in any sport, and TOP Sports recognizes the increased awareness of concussions and their potential long‐term effects.

This policy is intended to be a tool to assist in proper management of those who have a concussion or are suspected of having a concussion.

TOP Sports encourages the prevention of concussions using valuable education programs and enforcement of the rules of the game.

This includes, but is not limited to:

• The reduction of violence in the game.

• The reduction of head contact.

• The reduction of hitting from behind. Education of all participants on prevention and recognition of head injuries and responsible return to play.

• Encouraging respect and fair play.

If a player is suspected of having a concussion;

• They will be removed from play immediately, regardless if the concussion occurred during play or not. The player will not be permitted to return to play that day.

• If there are doubts, TOP Sports' staff will err on the side of caution and assume that a concussion has occurred.

• The player will be referred to a physician for diagnosis as soon as possible.

• Once a player is diagnosed with a concussion or is experiencing "concussion-like symptoms", they will not be permitted to return to play or practice until all of the return to play requirements are met.

For an overview of the proper steps to take after suffering a concussion, please refer to Parachute Canada's Concussion Guidelines here.

Following a diagnosed concussion, all TOP Sports' participants will be forbidden to participate in ANY sporting activities unless a Return-to-Play form has been signed by a medical doctor and submitted to the program director for review.

For further information about the proper steps to return-to-play after a diagnosed concussion, please access the resources at Smart Teams, available here.

The goal of Rowan’s Law (Concussion Safety), 2018, is to protect amateur competitive athletes by reducing their risk of getting a concussion. It focuses on improving concussion safety and awareness, both on the field, ice, and at school.

The health of our athletes depends on your support. Learn to recognize the signs and symptoms of a concussion and know what to do when a concussion happens. It could save a life.

Rowan’s Law requires that all coaches and team trainers review the government-approved Concussion Awareness Resources every year before serving in a sport organization or at a school. These resources include important information about:

• The nature of concussions

• Common signs and symptoms

• Steps to take if an athlete is suspected of having a concussion

• Protocols for removing an athlete from sport and helping them return.

The Coaches Association of Ontario offers a “Coach’s Concussion Toolkit”, and the Coaching Association of Canada provides the “Making Head Way” training module. We encourage you to take advantage of these valuable resources.

Rowan’s Law requires all coaches and team trainers to review their sport organization’s Concussion Code of Conduct each year before the start of the season.

The code sets out expectations and rules of behaviour to minimize concussions while playing sport. This means that as a coach or team trainer, you acknowledge the seriousness of concussions, commit to the health and safety of all athletes, and create an environment where everyone is encouraged to speak up if an athlete experiences any symptoms after an impact.

Parents also play an important role in following the Removal-from-Sport protocol, when an athlete is suspected of having sustained a concussion, and the Return-to-Sport protocol, to ensure their safe return following a suspected or sustained concussion. Your role includes supporting an athlete as they progress through the steps outlined in the Return-to-Sport protocol found here.

We are committed to maintaining an inclusive and safe environment for all players, coaches, referees, volunteers, and parents. Following our club Code of Conduct, TOP Sports' follows a very rigid "3-strike" discipline policy for all club teams, activities, and programs.

In the event of a player acting in a way that breaches the TOP Sports' Code of Conduct, the discipline policy is as follows:

Strike 1: Verbal Warning

• During a first incident, coaches will give a verbal warning to the player and ensure that they understand i) why the were given a verbal warning, and ii) what behaviour will constitute a second strike.

Strike 2: Temporary Removal from Practice/Game/Event

• During a second incident, the player will be temporarily removed from the practice or game and be asked to sit out for a discretionary period of time. The senior coach on the ice/field has the sole discretion to determine how long that player will sit out.

Strike 3: Permanent Removal from Practice/Game

• During a third incident, the player will be permanently removed from the practice or game on that day, and will be asked to leave the ice or field for the remainder of practice or game. In addition, the Head Coach or Program Director will arrange to have a direct conversation with the players' parents regarding the incidents, and further discipline may be levied.

In the unfortunate event that a player's behaviour becomes a clear distraction to their teammates or other members, an in-person meeting will be arranged with the player, their parents, the head coach of the team/program, and the Technical Director. Possible disciplinary action as a result of this situation may include the following.

• Suspension from the team or program for an appropriate amount of time with no refund.

• Removal from the team or program with no refund.

In the event of inclement weather or facility conditions, TOP Sports' reserves the right to cancel any practices, games, or team events with limited notice. Given the limited availability of fields and arenas, TOP Sports' is unable to reschedule or replay any practices or games which are cancelled or suspended due to weather or facility conditions. Every effort will be made to proceed with scheduled events as long as it is safe to do so.

In the event that TOP Sports' coaches and/or directors decide to cancel a practice or game due to inclement weather or facility conditions, every effort will be made to contact all affected families as soon as possible to communicate the changes.

Rain or Shine Policy

Unless the weather poses a significant safety risk, compromises the conditions of the facility, or we are forced by the facility to cancel, all TOP Sports sessions will continue as scheduled unless notified.

Lightning/Thunder

In the event of lightning or thunder during practices or games, all practices and games will be immediately halted. All parties are to quickly leave the field and seek shelter in a safe location. Players are not to return to the field - and the game will not be resumed - until 30 minutes after the last thunder or lightning. Coaches/Program Directors have been advised to take a “better safe than sorry” approach concerning electrical storms and to always act with player safety in mind.

Facility Conditions

Practices or games may also be cancelled in the event of unsuitable field conditions. TOP Sports' maintains its programs by obtaining permits for a variety of fields. The owners of these fields have differing policies on when fields may not be used, but generally, if there has been significant rainfall that leaves standing water on the field, creates unsafe conditions for players or increases the likelihood of significant damage to the field, practices or games will not be played.

No refunds or credits of any kind will be offered for any missed practices or games due to weather or facility closures. TOP Sports' will always make a strong effort to ensure all practices and games are played as scheduled, but extenuating circumstances may apply in some cases.