IHSA would like to highlight the summary of Penalties that resulted in a Game Report for 2024 YTD, where a disturbing % of reports
in 2024 were for Abuse of Officials or Physical Abuse of Officials.
Ice Hockey South Australia (IHSA), along with Ice Hockey Australia (IHA) and the International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF), take Abuse of Official very seriously. Any form of Abuse of Official is unacceptable and has no place in our game on or off the ice.
Attraction and retention of officials in almost every sport is at a crisis point. Abuse against Officials is cited as the leading reason for Officials leaving the profession, and as such, the IIHF is fully committed to protecting ice hockey, its players, coaches, Officials, and fans against any form of abuse. IHSA, as a member association, supports this wholeheartedly in principle and practice. The preamble of the IIHF rulebook, as well as the IHSA Code of Conduct (see below), specifically outline the importance of demonstrating respect toward officials to ensure every participant can play in a safe and enjoyable environment.
This has been addressed at the IHSA General Assembly, where all participants supported the position that any incident of abuse of Officials should be recorded to identify persistent and ongoing abuse being directed from any participant.
To be clear: Abuse of Officials is not limited to extreme verbal or physical actions. While any words or actions that are obscene, profane, or abusive are the obvious ones, it also includes anything that may be deemed to challenge a decision or to degrade or undermine the Official, especially when done in a repetitive or recurring manner.
IHSA Player Code of Conduct:
As a player, you are a representative of IHSA and your respective Club. As such, you must conduct yourself within their governing rules, regulations, policies, and procedures, and agree to: - Adhere to the IHSA rules, regulations, policies, and procedures as well as by-laws and decisions as determined by the IHSA Committee of Management.
- Treat players, opponents, coaches, officials, parents, and other spectators, regardless of race, sex or creed with respect, relative to abusive language, gestures and actions.
- Not argue with an official’s decision. I will treat officials as honest in their intentions and accept official decisions without displaying verbal and / or physical outbursts of anger.
- Learn teamwork, sportsmanship, discipline & respect whilst playing for fun. Be a team player and get along with my team members. Appreciate and support the contribution each person makes to the team.
- Be on time to all games and practices. Be physically and mentally ready to work hard to improve my skills.
- Be dependable. Give coaches advance notice of upcoming absences.
- Learn the rules and play by them. Always be a good sport and set a good example. Understand that any behaviour that reflects poorly on my team or IHSA may result in disciplinary action as decided by the coach or the IHSA Tribunal, including the use of social media and the internet.
- Understand that winning is desirable, but that winning at any cost defeats the purpose of the game. I will learn to lose with dignity and to win with grace.
- Understand that in Ice Hockey, as in life, I should treat others as I would have others treat me.
Violation of this code of conduct or any action that is detrimental to Ice Hockey in SA may result in player suspension or termination from any or all of IHSA activities.
