Despite many 'posting on social
media can be dangerous' lectures from teachers, police, principals, parents,
and coaches; too many of our kids continue to make poor social media posting,
text and email choices. They are obviously not bad kids - they are just making
bad, short-sighted choices in the heat of the moment or to try to be funny or
to try to be cool or because they are angry...
In the last few years, hockey-related social media posts/texts/emails have led to multiple cases of police involvement; OMHA/Hockey Canada involvement; suspensions from school; lawsuits; fights on the ice; fights outside arenas; suspensions from hockey; kids quitting hockey and entire teams being suspended. Yet, it still goes on and we have already had multiple cases this year. I realize that it will never fully stop but as it relates to the Oakville Rangers, it must stop, and the club is going to take aggressive steps to help stop it.
Effective Wednesday, November 1, if the club receives a screenshot of a negative or threatening or rude or mean-spirited or sexual or intolerant or racist social media post or text or email that is at all related to minor hockey involvement and your son/daughter/player wrote it, filmed it, created it, posted it, sent it or forwarded it - they will automatically be suspended for a minimum of 3 league games (no appeal) and up to 10 games. Serious cases will be forwarded to the club’s External Dispute Resolution Committee (EDRC), the police and/or Hockey Canada for further investigation and possible incremental penalties. Multiple infractions will have you removed from the club with no refund.
It does not matter if the material is about a teammate; parents; siblings; other players; referees; coaches or other teams. It does not matter if the player involved in the publication alleges that it was ‘just a joke’. It does not matter if you are in the playoffs. It does not matter if you are HL or Rep, AAA or Rec. It does not matter if the subject of the post, email or text is offended. If it is negative or threatening or rude or mean-spirited or sexual or intolerant or racist and your name is on it either because you wrote it, filmed it, created it, posted it, sent it, or forwarded it; you are suspended for 3 league games immediately at a minimum (no appeal).
Let’s make it very simple. Players should assume that someone will forward hockey-related social media posts, texts and emails that are negative to the club. If you don’t want to get suspended, just don’t do it!
Just Play!
I sincerely hope that this clear policy puts an end to this problem, but history tells me that it probably will not. It will likely take multiple suspensions before the message sinks in. Please do all that you can to ensure that your son/daughter/player understands and abides by the policy vs. being an example of the policy in action. Ignorance of this new policy will not be an excuse.
Screenshots, emails and/or texts can be confidentially sent to justplay@oakvillerangers.ca
While we are at it, let's all please (re)familiarize ourselves with the Oakville Rangers Code of Conduct for players, parents, spectators, and coaches. As well, let’s do all we can to keep mobile phones out of dressing rooms as this is where many problems begin.
https://oakvillerangers.ca/Public/Documents/ORHC_Code_of_Conduct_2021.pdf
Any questions or concerns, please contact me directly.
Thanks in advance for your help in making minor hockey better and thanks for being Rangers!
