The Players, Parents or Guardians (collectively referred to as "Participants"), must agree to this Code of Conduct (Code) as condition of membership in the Niagara Minor Football Association (NRMFA). At the start each season, each of the Participants must sign this Code and submit it to the Player's Head Coach prior to the beginning of the season.

Governing Standards of Conduct

  1. We, the Participants, understand that being allowed to play football with NRMFA is a privilege and that full compliance with the Code at all times is required.
  2. I, the Player agree to abide fully by the rules of the game applicable to the level of play in which my team participates.
  3. We, The Participants, understand that we must set an example, and conduct ourselves in accordance with all Federal, Provincial, and Municipal laws while attending fields for both practice and games. We will be respectful and courteous towards everyone associated with the game and that our team, the organization and myself will be judged by our behaviour.
  4. We, the Participants, understand that any irresponsible or disrespectful behaviour at any centre facility and/ or toward any Coach, Official, player or parent whether before, during or after a game or practice is inappropriate and will not be tolerated.
  5. We, the Participants, understand that yelling, taunting, use of obscene gestures or language, racial or ethnic slurs, striking or attempting to strike (except allowable on body contact under league rules) or otherwise abusing another player, Official, Coach, or spectator will not be tolerated.
  6. We, the Participants, understand that we must abide by and respect the Officials and their authority during any and all games. We will not question or confront Officials whether before, during or after a game.
  7. We, the Participants will not publicly criticize or question Coaches, teammates, opponents or Officials and shall only raise our concerns privately in a civil and respectful manner.
  8. I, the Player, understand that I am expected to attend every practice or game to the best of my ability and participate in all skill development sessions where applicable. It is my responsibility to notify my coach if I am unable to attend.
  9. I, the Player, understand that winning is not everything and that having fun, improving skills, making friends and learning sportsmanship is the primary goal of the NRMFA. Winning or losing will be done with equal grace and dignity.
  10. We, the Participants, understand that failure to abide by the Code will result in disciplinary actions as set out in this Code. I have reviewed this Code of Conduct, and if I am a Player I have discussed its contents with my Parent or Guardian, who also agree to be bound by the standards outlined above.

NRMFA's Drug and Alcohol Policy

The Niagara Regional Minor Football Association enforces a "Zero Tolerance" policy with respect to the use of drugs and alcohol by all NRMFA players, coaches, parents, and bench staff Any player, coach, parent or bench staff member found to be consuming or under the influence of drugs or alcohol during practices or games will be subjected to an automatic l game suspension or In the case of a parent/ guardian, immediate suspension of rights to attend all team activities until further notice. Multiple violations of this policy will be severely dealt with by the NRMFA Board of Directors and will lead to multi-game suspensions, and ultimately removal of NRMFA membership privileges.

NRMFA's 24 Hour Rule

The best way to avoid situations that can lead to a violation of the NRMFA Code of Conduct is to use the "24 Hour Rule". The NRMFA endorses this rule and mandates its application to all its sanctioned events.

Simply put, if an incident occurs at a game or practice that is likely to create a conflict, everyone involved must step back and reflect on the situation for a period of at least 24 hours. After 24 hours have passed the Participant having an issue must first raise the concern with the team Parent Representative. The Parent Representative will discuss the issue with the Team Coach who will render a decision on the matter.

Where the Participant remains dissatisfied with the Coach's resolution of the matter, the issue must be reduced to writing with full particulars and submitted to the Centre Convener for further deliberation in accordance with NRMFA policy and procedure.

Disciplinary Actions Resulting from a Breach of the NRMFA Code of Conduct

First Offense

  • Verbal warning to the player and/or parents/guardians by head coach who will also provide a written notice to the city centre convener.

Second Offense

  • Written warning by head coach to the player and/or parents/guardians along with an automatic one game suspension. The head coach will provide a written notice to his city centre convener who will provide a copy to the NRMFA Board of Directors.

Third Offense

  • In the case of a player, immediate suspension from all team activities until further notice. The head coach will provide a written notice to his city centre convener who will provide a copy to the NRMFA Board. The Board will initiate a Disciplinary Committee review of the player's conduct and issue a formal written response along with details of the term of suspension.
  • In the case of a parent/guardian, immediate suspension of rights to attend all team activities until further notice. The head coach will provide a written notice to his city centre convener who will provide a copy to the NRMFA Board. The Board will initiate a Disciplinary Committee review of the parent's/guardian's conduct and issue a formal written response along with details of the term of suspension.

Fourth Offense

  • In the case of a player, immediate suspension from all team activities until further notice. The head coach will provide a written notice to his city centre convener who will provide a copy to the NRMFA Board. The Board will initiate a Disciplinary Committee review of the player's conduct and issue a formal written response informing the player of his suspension for the remainder of the season. At the Board's discretion, the player may also permanently lose his/her right to membership in the NRMFA.
  • In the case of a parent/guardian, immediate suspension of rights to attend all team activities. The head coach will provide a written notice to his city center convener who will provide a copy to the NRMFA Board. The Board will initiate a Disciplinary Committee review of the parent's/guardian's conduct and issue a formal written response informing the parent/guardian of their suspension for the remainder of the season. At the Board's discretion, the parent/guardian and therefore the associated player may also permanently lose their right to membership in the Niagara Minor Football Association.

The NRMFA Board of directors will maintain a permanent record of all breaches of the NRMFA Code of Conduct and will take into account historical information when ruling on disciplinary action.

 

Non-Solicitation & External Program Promotion Policy

1. Purpose

The Niagara Regional Minor Football Association (NRMFA) is committed to providing a positive, respectful, and focused environment for its players, families, coaches, volunteers, and members across all NRMFA tackle football and NRMFA flag football programs.

NRMFA recognizes that some players, parents, coaches, volunteers, or other individuals associated with the Association may also operate, participate in, or be affiliated with external football programs, private training camps, clinics, flag football programs, tackle football programs, teams, leagues, or other sports organizations.

NRMFA does not prohibit individuals from operating or participating in these external programs. However, NRMFA events, communication channels, membership information, and relationships with its families are not to be used for the recruitment, solicitation, or promotion of external programs.

2. Scope

This policy applies to all participants and individuals associated with NRMFA tackle football and NRMFA flag football, including:

  • Players and parents/guardians;
  • Coaches and team staff;
  • Volunteers;
  • Executive and Board members;
  • Contractors and service providers; and
  • Any other individual who receives access to NRMFA players, families, contact information, facilities, events, or communication platforms through their involvement with the Association.

3. Prohibited Solicitation

Individuals who own, operate, coach with, work for, participate in, or are otherwise affiliated with an external training program, football camp, tackle football program, flag football program, team, league, academy, or similar organization shall not use their involvement with NRMFA as an opportunity to recruit NRMFA players or families.

This applies equally to individuals participating in or attending NRMFA tackle football and NRMFA flag football programs.

Prohibited activities include, but are not limited to:

  • Approaching or actively speaking with NRMFA players or parents for the purpose of encouraging them to register for or participate in an external program, camp, team, league, flag football program, tackle football program, or organization;
  • Attempting to persuade or influence NRMFA families to leave NRMFA or participate in another tackle football or flag football league or program;
  • Distributing flyers, registration information, promotional materials, business cards, QR codes, links, or other advertising for external programs at NRMFA events;
  • Sending unsolicited texts, emails, direct messages, social media messages, or other communications to NRMFA families for the purpose of promoting an external program;
  • Using NRMFA team chats, TeamLinkt groups, email lists, social media groups, or other Association communication platforms to advertise or recruit for external programs;
  • Using, copying, sharing, downloading, or otherwise accessing NRMFA contact lists, registration information, rosters, parent information, player information, or other Association records for external recruitment or marketing purposes;
  • Encouraging players or parents to provide the contact information of other NRMFA families for recruitment purposes; or
  • Using a position of trust or authority within NRMFA to influence players or families to participate in an external program.

4. NRMFA Events and Activities

Solicitation or recruitment for external programs is prohibited at all NRMFA tackle football and flag football activities and events, including but not limited to:

  • Practices and tryouts;
  • Flag football practices, games, tournaments, and league activities;
  • Tackle football practices, games, tournaments, and league activities;
  • Games and tournaments;
  • Training sessions and camps operated by NRMFA;
  • Team meetings;
  • Team parties and social events;
  • Equipment pickups or returns;
  • Registration events;
  • Fundraising activities;
  • League or Association events; and
  • Any other activity organized, sanctioned, hosted, or attended as part of NRMFA programming.

This restriction applies whether the solicitation occurs before, during, or immediately following an NRMFA event when the individual’s access to the player or family arises from their involvement with NRMFA.

5. External Businesses, Camps and Programs

NRMFA respects the right of individuals to independently operate football camps, training businesses, tackle football leagues, flag football leagues, teams, academies, or other programs outside of the Association.

Individuals are welcome to market and operate these programs independently through their own:

  • Websites and social media accounts;
  • Paid or public advertising;
  • Independent mailing or customer lists;
  • Public registration platforms;
  • Community advertising; and
  • Other marketing channels that are not derived from or connected to their access to NRMFA members or Association resources.

NRMFA membership does not prevent a family from independently choosing to participate in another program. The purpose of this policy is to prevent NRMFA’s events, resources, relationships, and member information from being used as a recruiting platform for outside organizations.

6. NRMFA Contact and Membership Information

NRMFA player and family information from both tackle football and flag football programs is collected for legitimate Association and team purposes.

Contact lists, registration records, rosters, email addresses, telephone numbers, TeamLinkt information, or other information obtained through NRMFA must not be used, copied, shared, or retained for the purpose of promoting or recruiting for an external business, camp, tackle football league, flag football league, team, or organization.

Access to NRMFA information is provided solely for the purpose for which the individual has been authorized to receive it.

7. Enforcement

NRMFA takes violations of this policy seriously.

Where the Association receives information suggesting that solicitation or unauthorized recruitment has occurred, NRMFA may review the circumstances and provide the individual involved with an opportunity to respond.

Depending on the nature, severity, or frequency of the conduct, consequences may include:

  • A verbal or written warning;
  • Removal from an NRMFA event or activity;
  • Suspension from participation in NRMFA tackle and/or flag football programs or activities;
  • Removal from a coaching, volunteer, team staff, or other Association position;
  • Restriction or removal of access to NRMFA communication platforms or membership information;
  • Suspension of membership or participation privileges; or
  • A ban from NRMFA tackle football, NRMFA flag football, facilities, teams, programs, and Association events.

Serious violations, including the deliberate use of NRMFA contact lists or member information for external recruitment, may result in immediate suspension or removal without the requirement for a prior warning.

8. General Principle

NRMFA encourages positive relationships throughout the football community and recognizes that families may participate in multiple sports, camps, and development opportunities.

At the same time, families should be able to attend NRMFA tackle football and flag football practices, games, tournaments, team functions, and other events without being recruited or solicited for competing or external programs.

Individuals affiliated with external programs are therefore expected to maintain a clear separation between their involvement with NRMFA and their outside football activities.

NRMFA tackle and flag football events are for the development and enjoyment of NRMFA athletes and families and are not a recruiting platform for outside organizations.