NWT SCHOOL SPORTS
NWT School Athletic Federation Policies
SECTION I: Code of Ethics
Adults who work with students in interscholastic activities should present a positive role model for them to emulate. Students who represent a school in interscholastic activities must be creditable school citizens.
SECTION II: Code of Conduct
While the Federation recognizes that the school administration is responsible for all athletic programs and the conduct of all school representatives, whatever the level of competition, the Federation suggests the following general guidelines:
A) Fair Play and Sportsmanship
All competitions must be conducted with a high standard of courtesy, fair play and sportsmanship. All those involved have a responsibility in ensuring that these standards are maintained.
B) Coaches
Coaches must demonstrate qualities of courtesy and good sportsmanship and generally act as positive role models for their athletes. This should be evidenced by proper acceptance of officials’ judgment, and by showing proper respect for opposing athletes as well as their own.
C) Athletes
Athletes must demonstrate qualities of courtesy and good sportsmanship by showing proper respect for officials, opposing athletes as well as teammates.
D) Spectators
Spectators, both student and adult, must demonstrate courtesy and good sportsmanship by positively supporting their team, without showing negative behaviour against their opponents. This is evidenced by the lack of booing or vulgarities. Following a warning, school authorities should feel compelled to eject spectators from the competition facility, who fail to comply with this standard.
E) Administrators and Teachers
Administrators and teachers must demonstrate the qualities of courtesy and good sportsmanship and serve as positive examples for students.
F) Drugs and Alcohol
The Northwest Territories School Athletic Federation is unequivocally opposed to the use by athletes of any banned substances, as identified by Sport Canada. In addition, the NWTSAF is opposed to any illegal and/or unethical physiological manipulation employed for the purpose of performance enhancement. The NWTSAF prohibits the use by athletes of any alcoholic beverage while involved in NWTSAF sponsored activities. It is equally opposed to the use of such substances by individuals in positions of leadership in school sport while involved in NWTSAF activities.
SECTION III: Discipline and Misconduct
A. General Statements on Discipline
1) Good sportsmanship and fair play are core values of the Northwest Territories School Athletic Federation.
2) Coaches and athletes are expected to act in accordance with the NWTSAF Code of Conduct.
3) The head coach at any athletic event, as representative of the school, is responsible for the conduct of all personnel composing the school team. If a coach or any team member addresses uncomplimentary remarks to an official or behaves in a manner that is deemed objectionable by the rules of their sport, it shall be considered a violation of the Code of Conduct.
4) The head official in any sport has the prerogative to penalize offending athletes or coaches for improper behaviour. In extreme cases, this penalty can include ejection from the game or, if necessary, to halting further play and awarding the game to the non-offending team.
5) Fighting in any sport shall bring an automatic suspension for the remainder of that game, plus suspension from the next scheduled game.
B. Procedures
1) In the event that misconduct is reported to the NWTSAF, the matter will be
reviewed by the Executive of the Federation. The Executive will obtain information from the alleged offending party, the school administration, officials at the competition and other parties deemed to have relevance in the matter under investigation.
2) All information must be submitted in writing.
3) The Executive will consider all submissions at a formal hearing.
4) A written decision on potential further action will be submitted to the school principal and other relevant parties within 10 working days of the hearing.
SECTION IV: Appeals
At the beginning of every academic year, the Executive of the NWTSAF will select a panel of individuals from member schools. In the case of an appeal of decisions of the Executive regarding issues of misconduct and discipline, the following process will ensue:
1) A written statement by the appellant will be submitted to the Executive Director of the NWTSAF, within 10 working days of the decision of the Executive. This statement will indicate the grounds upon which the appeal is based.
2) Within 10 working days, the Executive Director will arrange a hearing by three members of the panel. They will review all relevant information and make a decision about whether the original decision should be sustained, amended or overturned.
3) All parties in the matter will be informed of the decision in writing within 10 working days.
4) All decisions of the Appeals Committee are final.
SECTION V: Eligibility
Eligibility to Participate in a NWTSAF Event/Tournament
The principal of each school shall be responsible for the eligibility of the school’s competitors for any competition. The athlete must be a bona fide student of the NWTSAF member school for which he or she is competing. It must be the opinion of the principal that it is in the best interest of the student that he or she be allowed to participate. No student who is registered and in attendance at a post-secondary institution shall be deemed eligible for high school competition. Students involved in a home school education program, and who are registered with a particular secondary school, are eligible to compete for that school.
Student/athletes playing for Another School at a NWTSAF Event/Tournament.
NWTSAF permits student/athletes to complete for another school when the school the student/athletes is attending is unable to field a team. A request to the organizing committee can be made to permit a student to play for another school, however the following rules must be followed:
1) The NWTSAF event/tournament organizing committee must agree to permit student/athletes to participate for another school in the event/tournament.
2) The Principal of the school the student/athlete is attending must agree in writing (email) with this request. This request will go to the event/tournament organizing committee.
3) The Principal of the school the student/athlete will be playing for must agree in writing (email) with this request. This request will go to the event/tournament organizing committee.
4) The final decision as to whether this request is accepted will be made by the NWTSAF evert/tournament organizing committee.
SECTION VI: Meetings
Meetings will occur as outlined in Article III the by-laws of the NWTSAF. These meetings can be either face-to-face or by conference call. The Executive shall be responsible for determining the nature and frequency of meetings.
SECTION VII: Priorities of the Federation
All athletic activities sponsored by the NWTSAF shall be conducted according to the existing by-laws and policies of the Association.
1) It is recognized that in order for the Federation to be effective, secure funding must be obtained. It is therefore a high priority of NWTSAF that sources of funding be found and maintained to ensure the financial stability of the Federation.
2) The NWTSAF shall become a leading advocate for the core values of school athletic activities. These values include sportsmanship, fair play, healthy life styles, hard work and commitment to academic achievement. The NWTSAF will do everything in its power to foster and nurture these ideals.
SECTION VIII: Relationships with Other Organizations
The NWTSAF will foster positive relationships with other organizations with common goals and values. The organizations will include: the Sport North Federation, the Northwest Territories Teachers’ Association, the Canadian School Sport Federation, the Department of Education, Culture and Employment of the Government of the Northwest Territories (GNWT), the Department of Municipal and Community Affairs of the GNWT, the boards and divisional boards of education in the NWT and all other stakeholders in the sport community of the Northwest Territories and Canada.
SECTION IX: Formation of the Annual Calendar of Competitive Events
The calendar of competitive sport events will be set in the spring of every year for the following academic year. The Executive will select a committee tasked with this endeavor. Insofar as possible, the committee members will be selected to represent the Northwest Territories’ geographical regions. The Executive will attempt to strike this committee to include representatives from smaller as well as larger schools. Input from all members will be sought prior to the setting of the calendar.
SECTION X: Safety Guidelines
The safety of students is of paramount importance to the NWTSAF. Insofar as possible, members should follow the following guidelines.
1) Teachers and or coaches should be aware of the medical background of athletes under their supervision. This includes knowledge of student athletes with conditions such as heart disorders, asthma, epilepsy, diabetes and severe allergies. Each school should develop a process by which this information is shared with the teacher/coach.
2) Parents should be made aware of the inherent risks associated with participating in interschool athletic activities and must sign and return a participation form acknowledging the risks and giving permission for their child to take part in the event.
3) If a student is injured in a competition and medical attention is required, the coach should receive written communication from the medical practitioner that the athlete is fit for subsequent competition.
4) An appropriately stocked first aid kit should be made available to all teacher/coaches supervising student athletes.
5) When involving student athletes in strenuous outdoor activities, teachers/coaches should take into consideration the temperature and weather of the day, field and facility conditions, previous training and the length of time the student athletes will be vigorously active.
6) Prior to the athletic season, teachers/coaches should instruct the athletes of expected conduct when visiting other schools.
7) The presence of spectators should not present a safety risk.
8) Official should be knowledgeable about the rules of the athletic activity and how to initiate emergency procedures.
9) The school should ensure that athletes are covered by an accident insurance policy.
10) Parents should be aware of the mode of transportation of athletes and the required expectations of student behaviour while traveling.
11) Where an incident occurs that increases, or could increase, the risk of injury, appropriate actions should be taken to prevent its reoccurrence.
12) Should an injury to an athlete occur, communication of the nature and extent of the injury should be made in timely manner to the athlete’s parents or guardians.
SECTION XI: Active Membership
Membership in the Northwest Territories School Athletic Federation offers its members both benefits and obligations. Its members are part of an organization, which serves as an advocate for students and adults involved in school athletics. It is an organization, which seeks to expand the chances for student athletes to participate in schools sports, in a climate of ethical behaviour, equal opportunity and good sportsmanship. Members must accept the ideals expressed in the NWTSAF’s Code of Conduct and the by-laws of the Federation.
The requirements for becoming and maintaining membership are explained in Article 3 of the Federation’s by-laws. All members must:
1.Pay annual membership dues
2.Provide information as may requested from time to time by the Federation
3.Participate in the deliberations of the Federation in manner of mutual respect for other members and regard for the ideals of the organization.
SECTION XII: Societies Act
The Northwest Territories School Athlete Federation must be incorporated under the NWT Societies Act and must faithfully adhere to the requirements of that Act.
SECTION XIII: Amendments
All items under Policy many be amended by a majority vote of the Executive of the NWTSAF. Changes to Policy may be proposed and seconded by two Executive members or two member schools. The amendments to be considered will be communicated to all member schools at least three weeks prior to the meeting at which they will be considered. Input from members will be carefully considered in all decisions regarding new policy.
