Summer 7’s League Letter

DFHA Captains and Players,

We have observed, and players and officials have voiced, that matches in this year’s Summer 7’s League have been overly heated and aggressive with inappropriate, derogatory, and vulgar language. Players have also demonstrated poor sportsmanship to opponents and our league’s umpires. We have also seen this disruptive behavior from our fans and spectators. We are incredibly disappointed in this behavior and want to ensure all players feel safe and have fun in our leagues. We also want to remind you that our league is a family-friendly atmosphere with many children and spectators in attendance, and your behavior is on public display in our local community.

To that end, and in light of the playoffs coming up, we are rolling out these DFHA Code of Conduct / Good Sportsmanship Expectations for all players, effective immediately, to be shared with and stewarded by each team’s captain. We will address players who are brought to our attention individually. We are also forming a governing committee to help enforce this Code of Conduct and Good Sportsmanship Expectations. This committee will oversee the conduct and safety of our programs, observe, hear complaints, and enforce our two-strike policy.

DFHA Code of Conduct / Good Sportsmanship Expectations

 Effective as of Monday July 8, 2024

Code of Conduct

By participating in DFHA programs, all participants and players agree to:

• Always maintain a good relationship with opposing players and captains.

• Athletes, spectators/fans, and captains are expected to treat game officials with the respect due them. Athletes, spectators/fans, and captains who disrespect officials may be dismissed from the game, league, or program.

• The use of profanity or derogatory/racist comments is inconsistent with the philosophy of DFHA and will not be tolerated.

• Treat captains, teammates, opponents, umpires, and spectators courteously and respectfully.
• Do their best to arrive on time to keep games running smoothly.
• Play to win but always fairly and with good sportsmanship.
• Accept the decisions of umpires without gesture or argument.
• Control their temper and not use inappropriate, derogatory, or vulgar language.
• Never criticize the play of others.
• Follow the instructions of DFHA staff, umpires, or team captains without argument.
• Ensure the team’s fans are not disruptive or offensive at games.
• Obey all rules DFHA puts in place.

Good Sportsmanship Definitions and Expectations

Good Sportsmanship

• Sportsmanship is being honorable and courteous while striving to win, ensuring that opponents have an equal and fair opportunity, and knowing when to forego an advantage.
• Knowledge that the game’s rules are mutual agreements observed by all participants.
• Respecting the officials’ decisions and understanding the rules of the game vest them with final authority.
• Considering opponents to have honest intentions, although you may not agree with their points of view or approve of their actions.
• Pursuing a course of individual conduct and team action honorable to opponents or the public.
• Understanding that players and spectators represent DFHA and our community and should give suitable recognition to the skill and sportsmanship of players regardless of their team affiliation.
• Controlling your emotions at all times at games and events.
• Respecting your umpires, positively communicating with them, and encouraging others to do the same.
• Being a positive role model.
• Being responsible and sensible, and keeping your priorities in order. Much more is at stake than a win or a loss.
• Being gracious in defeat, modest in victory, and maintaining complete control at all times.
• Being kind and behaving like an adult.

Violations of Conduct

Every athlete and fan must understand that we represent the Delaware Field Hockey Association organization and programs. Participation in our tournaments, leagues, pick-up games, travel opportunities, and other programs is a “privilege.” If you violate our Code of Conduct or Good Sportsmanship Expectations, your participation in our leagues and programs may be revoked without a refund.

Our governing committee, team captains, and/or DFHA staff or league officials may decide to remove participants from games, leagues, tournaments, or other programs.

Disciplinary Sanctions

DFHA has a two-strike policy, meaning that on the first strike, you will be warned or may immediately be ejected from the game. The incident will be investigated in a open hearing by the committee. You will later be notified of a time for the virtual hearing via zoom or over the phone. After the investigation and hearing the governing committee may deem no action is necessary, sanction a player or team with an appropriate, fair and reasonable sanction to rectify the situation, or in a more severe case will place them in probation pending their removal/dismissal from the program, should you/they violate our Code of Conduct, Rules, and Good Sportsmanship Expectations. A first strike will remain with a player or team across all DFHA programs regardless of length of the sanction and will lead to a second strike on any subsequent offense. 

On the second strike, a more severe sanction will be determined, and you/they may be removed/dismissed from the game, league, tournament, or program for the remainder of the event or duration set forth by the committee with no refund. If the governing committee deems it fit, you/they may also be told to refrain from returning to future opportunities.

Sanctions may include:

• Immediate ejection from the game
• Temporary suspension from sport
• Contract for player improvement
• Suspension from the sport for the remainder of the season
• Suspension from DFHA for the year
• Suspension from all DFHA programs in perpetuity
• Other appropriate sanctions determined by the committee, especially in the case of lesser offenses. 

CAUSE FOR IMMEDIATE DISMISSAL

The following acts are considered severe enough and may cause an athlete to be dismissed from the athletic program or for us to engage legal authorities. Each player should be aware of the severity of punishment for these acts:

• Immorality, profanity or obscenity, derogatory or racist comments.
• Possession, threat, or use of a dangerous weapon.
• Fighting, assault, and battery.
• Conduct that jeopardizes the safety of others.
• Disrespect to a captain, official, opponent, or any person of authority.
• Harassment of any kind including sexual or any sexual violence or abuse.