2.3        Parent Code of Conduct

Expectations and Responsibilities

Parental involvement in the development of athletes is important as it shows support and encouragement for the athlete’s efforts. Athletes need parental support throughout the season with:

• Rides to and from practices
• Accompaniment to tournaments and support at tournaments for the athlete and the athlete’s team

• An understanding of the challenges of playing a sport at a competitive level
• Enthusiasm and support
• Completion of the Respect in Sport parent module prior to the OVA deadline

Parents are expected to support the athletes by:

• Modelling good sportsmanship and showing respect for all officials, coaches, athletes, and spectators
• Attending tournaments as spectators and supporters
• Paying club and team fees on time as requested
• Taking on a volunteer role with your child’s team (parent rep, banker, social media rep, social coordinator, travel planner, photographer, etc)
• Assisting with team duties at tournaments including line judge and scorekeeping duties, as requested
• Respecting all coaches’ decisions
• Refraining from coaching athletes during games and practices unless that parent is part of the coaching staff and on the team bench (be a spectator, not a coach)
• Refrain from gossiping or other malicious behaviour that creates a toxic and detrimental environment for athletes, coaches and spectators

Should concerns arise resulting from a practice or competition, parents are expected to abide by the 24-Hour Rule and to wait for at least 24 hours before approaching the coaches with their concerns.  

Parents/guests must review and abide by:

1. OVA Code of Conduct
2. Concussion Code of Conduct for Athletes/Parents (section 2.4)
3. Bullying and Harassment Policy (section 2.5)
4. Social Media and Online Communication Policy (section 3.4)
5. Travel and Accommodation Policy for Chaperones (section 3.5)
6. OVA Person in Authority Code of Conduct (chaperones)

Parents are encouraged to review:

1. Financial Management Policy (section 1.6)
2. Fundraising and Sponsorship Policy (section 1.7)
3. Athlete Code of Conduct (section 2.1)

Financial Commitment & Fee Payment

Participation in a performance-drive program requires significant financial support. By allowing your child to take part in our tryouts and signing with the Durham Rebels Volleyball Club, you are accepting the responsibility of ensuring their fees are paid by the prescribed due date. If a parent feels they will have difficulty meeting their financial obligations, they should visit the Funder section of the Club’s website for information on agencies who provide financial support to athletes who face financial barriers. The Club Treasurer may also be able to work out a payment plan for those families in need of extending their payments and can be contacted at payment@drvcvolleyball.ca. Club fees are presented at tryouts while Team Fees will be presented once the team is selected and the season plan is approved. Parents are encouraged to review our Financial Management Policy (section 1.6) with respect to payments and refunds.

Club Fees

Club fees including OVA tournament registrations (assigned age division), facility rental, coaching expenses, OVA and VC registration, OC championship registration, clothing, year-end banquet, administrative costs, etc. This fee is determined annually and set prior to DRVC tryouts each year.

Team Fees

Additional tournament registrations and tournament-related coach travel costs are not included in Club fees and are extra. Each team will create a team budget and decide, as a team, how the additional funds will be acquired (fundraising, sponsorship, parent payments or a combination of each).  

Supervision

At least two screened adults (or 1 screened adult and a parent chaperone) must be present at all team practices, tournaments, and events and it is strongly recommended that one of these adults be the same gender as the athletes (Rule of Two).

No parent shall permit their child athlete to enter the gym until directed by a team coach who is present and able to actively supervise the athlete(s). All coaches and parent chaperones must comply with the OVA Person in Authority Code of Conduct. Key highlights from the PIA Code of Conduct include:

• No PIA shall drive an athlete alone unless the PIA is the parent of the athlete
• A PIA may not share a room with an athlete unless the PIA is that athlete’s parent
• A PIA may not be alone in a hotel room with an athlete unless the PIA is that athlete’s parent

Only actively rostered and screened coaches and trainers may participate in team practices and be on the team bench during tournaments. All coaching and training staff must be registered in the OVA MRS (member registration system) for the duration of the playing season.  

No parent shall book a gym outside of the team’s regular practice for the purpose of holding a team practice/scrimmage without first checking with the team’s coaching staff to ensure athletes are not expected to be in a rest and recovery phase. Rest and recovery phases typically happen prior to a long stretch of competitions or multi-day events.

Acknowledgment

By completing this athlete’s registration with the Durham Rebels Volleyball Club, I agree that I have read, understood, and wholly accept this agreement as outlined. I hereby agree to be responsible for upholding the standards set out in this Parent Code of Conduct. .If at any time, I choose not to comply with any of these standards, I understand that I may not be permitted to attend my athlete’s events for a specific period of time, including the remainder of the season, and may be prevented from entering facilities where my child’s team may be practising or playing.

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Approved: August 2019

Revision pending: June 1, 2024