McKinney Ice Hockey Club  

Parent-Player & Coach

Communications Policy

Parent, Player & Coach Communication Policy

MCKINNEY ICE HOCKEY CLUB PLAYER & PARENT COMMUNICATION POLICY

To establish clear and respectful communication guidelines between players, parents, and coaches, fostering a culture of personal responsibility and constructive dialogue within the McKinney Ice Hockey Club.

Player Communication

Personal Responsibility:

  • Players are encouraged to take responsibility for communicating directly with coaches regarding hockey-related matters such as playing time, development, and any other concerns.
  • This approach aims to teach players important life skills such as self-advocacy, problem-solving, and effective communication.


Open Door Policy:

  • Coaches are always available to discuss any issues or concerns that players may have.
  • Players should feel comfortable approaching coaches at appropriate times to seek guidance, discuss their development, or address any other matters.


Parent Communication

Appropriate Circumstances:

  • Parents may need to communicate with coaches in certain situations, such as medical issues, logistical concerns, or when a player is unable to effectively communicate their needs.
  • In most cases, parents are encouraged to support their children in communicating directly with coaches.


24-Hour Cooling Off Period:


If you have a grievance regarding coaching decisions, under no circumstances may you approach a coach within a 24 hour period. You must wait at least 24 hours to express your grievance with a coach. If you have a grievance during a tournament, you must wait until after the entire tournament is over. If you do not comply with this policy, disciplinary action will be taken, including but not limited to suspension from the rink and all team-related events for two weeks.

To report a grievance, you must take the following steps:

  1. Call (do not text or email) your coach. You are not allowed to approach a coach with a grievance in the rink or during a team event.  
  2. If you do not feel comfortable discussing with your coach, contact the MIHC Team Manager and/or your Board of Directors representative for Varsity or JV. 
  3. The Board representative and the hockey director will discuss the situation and determine the appropriate steps to address the concern.


COMMUNICATION GUIDELINES

Respect and Professionalism:

  • All communications between players, parents, and coaches should be conducted with respect and professionalism.
  • Disrespectful or confrontational behavior will not be tolerated and may result in restricted communication privileges.


Scheduling Meetings:

  • Parents and players are encouraged to schedule meetings with coaches to discuss any concerns or issues.
  • Drop-in discussions should be avoided to ensure that coaches can give their full attention to the matter at hand.


Channels of Communication:

  • Initial concerns should be addressed directly with the coaching staff.
  • If a resolution cannot be reached, the matter can be escalated to the club's administration for further review.


Communication Policy Complaint & Dispute Resolution Policy

The McKinney Ice Hockey Club (MIHC) is committed to fostering an environment of respect and open communication. This policy outlines the steps for addressing concerns or disputes that may arise during the hockey season. All parents and guardians are expected to follow these guidelines.

1. IDENTIFYING THE CONCERN

  • If a concern arises regarding playing time, positional play, or similar issues, parents are required to observe a 24-hour cooling-off period before contacting the coach. This allows time for reflection and promotes more productive communication. Safety issues should be immediately escalated to a coach.
  • Once the cooling-off period has passed, parents can then schedule a meeting with the team coach to discuss the matter.


2. MEETING WITH THE COACH

  • After the cooling-off period, parents should request a meeting with the coach to respectfully discuss any concerns. The goal of this meeting is to clarify the situation and seek a resolution.
  • All meeting requests and correspondence should be sent via email to the appropriate MIHC individual through SportsEngine to ensure clear and documented communication.


3. ESCALATING THE CONCERN TO THE HOCKEY DIRECTOR

  • If the issue is not resolved after meeting with the coach, parents may escalate the matter to the Hockey Director.
  • The Hockey Director will review the situation and make a final decision for concerns related to playing time, positional play, or other non-SafeSport matters.
  • All playing decisions made by the Hockey Director are FINAL
  • The board does not determine playing time, positions, or team assignments.


4. SAFESPORT CONCERNS

  • Any issues involving a SafeSport violation should be immediately reported to the Player Safety Coordinator via Crossbar.
  • SafeSport matters will follow the appropriate reporting and investigation procedures.


5. SUBMITTING A FORMAL COMPLAINT TO THE MIHC BOARD

  • For non-SafeSport and non-playing time concerns, or if further escalation is necessary, parents may submit a formal written complaint to their Team Representative, who will forward it to the MIHC Board.
  • Do not contact Board members directly unless there is a serious player safety or conduct issue that requires immediate attention.
  • All correspondence should be submitted via email through SportsEngine for proper documentation.


6. BOARD REVIEW AND FINAL DETERMINATION

  • Formal complaints will be reviewed at the next scheduled MIHC Board Meeting.
  • The decision of the MIHC Board when dealing with formal written complaints will be considered final.


7. RESPECT FOR BOARD MEMBERS AND VOLUNTEERS

  • Parents and guardians are expected to treat all Board members and volunteers with respect. These individuals serve in non-paid, volunteer positions for the benefit of the MIHC community.
  • Please follow the outlined process above before contacting the Board with a formal written request.
  • Additionally, Board members and volunteers have jobs and families outside of their MIHC roles. Therefore, parents are asked to avoid contacting Board members outside of normal working hours M-F (9:00 AM to 6:00 PM) unless there is a valid emergency or other critical need.


By adhering to this process, MIHC ensures that concerns are addressed respectfully and efficiently, promoting a positive and supportive environment for our hockey community. Thank you for your cooperation.

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