Code of Conduct Policies

The Zorra Skating Club is committed to providing members with the opportunity to develop and pursue their goals in a safe and encouraging environment.

Skater Code of Conduct

The Zorra Skating Club is committed to providing members with the opportunity to develop and pursue their goals in a safe and encouraging environment. Coaches and parents/guardians play a special role in the development of skaters’ enjoyment of this sport and as such should model positive and responsible behaviour at all times while participating in any ZSC session including private lessons, events or competitions. Coaches that witness any unsafe skater behaviour are expected to approach the skater(s) to provide corrective feedback.

Etiquette is simply defined as the respectful and considerate behaviour expected by all parties while participating in club activities. It is also meant to ensure all parties feel safe and comfortable. The following recommendations help identify what is expected of our skaters as members of the ZSC when interacting with each other while on the ice.

Skater’s “Right of Way”

It is important that all skaters (in a program, a lesson or practicing) remember that they must always be looking around them while they are skating. Everyone plays a role to maintain safety while on the ice. There is no exception to this rule.

1. The following order determines the right of way during scheduled sessions:

A. A skater whose music is being played and is skating to a program.

B. A skater who is receiving a lesson. If the harness is in use, be aware and avoid that area.

C. Skaters who are practicing on their own. As many skaters are moving on the ice at the same time, all skaters should be mindful to those jumping and spinning and be aware of their surroundings. It is every skater’s responsibility for watching where they are going, no exceptions.

Note: Experienced and older skaters should be mindful of less experienced skaters and set an example as to when and how to yield to other skaters. Remember that all skaters were beginners once.

2. Courtesy and good sportsmanship to coaches and fellow skaters is expected at all times.

3. Skaters are expected to wear appropriate skating attire while on the ice.

4. Skaters are reminded to be aware of fellow skaters that may be moving in the opposite direction or performing jumps. When practicing programs, skaters must learn to move around other skaters to complete their program and remain respectful and polite.

5. Skaters should not interrupt a coach while a lesson is in progress.

6. All skaters must get up quickly after falling, unless injured, to not endanger other skaters or themselves on the ice.

7. The ice surface should be used for practice and not for conversation. Skaters should move to the boards if a break is required. Skaters must not stand in the middle of the ice.

8. Skaters shall make every attempt to maintain a safe distance from all other skaters.

9. For skaters skating down on a session, you must be mindful of the level of the session and may need to adjust your practice accordingly to skate to the level of the session.

10. The doors along the rink must be kept closed while a session is in progress to ensure the safety of the skaters on the ice.

11. When your session is over, gather your belongings and clear the ice immediately.

12. Be respectful to arena staff and property at all times.

13. The ZSC is not responsible for lost or stolen items. Please leave valuables at home.

14. Due to insurance requirements, only registered Skate Canada members are permitted on the ice, except in a medical emergency.

On-ice Equipment & Personal Belongings

1. No food, drinks, gum or candy are allowed on the ice surface. Materials required for skating such as cd’s, water bottles, tissue boxes and notebooks may be left at the boards.

2. Cell phones are allowed on the ice only for skating music purposes. Valuables should be brought to the boards.

3. Wearing of headsets/earphones on the ice is prohibited at all times.

4. Skaters must wait until the Zamboni doors have closed before going onto the ice. A Skate Canada certified coach must be at the boards before any skater may step onto the ice except for open sessions.

Parent Code of Conduct

The Zorra Skating Club is committed to ensuring that all skaters have the opportunity to participate in a safe and welcoming environment that is encouraging and promotes their overall development. Parents have an enormous influence on skaters’ experiences in the sport. The quality of a skater’s experience is influenced by their relationships with parents and the manner in which parents conduct themselves in the Zorra Skating environment.

In this code “parents” shall refer to “parents and guardians” who are members of the Zorra Skating club or have children who are members of the ZSC. Parents shall always abide by this code while being at the rink, volunteering, attending or participating in any ZSC event, competition or sessions. All parents are expected to conduct themselves in a responsible manner consistent with the values of fair play,
integrity, open communication and mutual respect.

Parents shall always model positive responsible behaviour and communicate with their child that they expect them to do the same. Parents will assume the major responsibility for their child’s on ice conduct and attitude. Parents shall always treat all individuals and property with dignity, courtesy and respect, including but not limited to skaters, coaches, officials, volunteers, other parents, and all other
individuals that are part of the club, Section or Skate Canada.

GENERAL ETHICS:
1. Parents must be courteous at all times to everyone, including skaters and their fellow parents in accordance with the Skate Canada’s Code of Ethics.
2. For insurance reasons, Parents/Guardians are not permitted on the ice surface.
3. Parents, Guardians or designate should remain in the arena for the entire session (until the child reaches 12 years of age), unless a designated parent has been assigned/contact information left with a Coach.
4. Coaches are not to be disturbed during lessons.
5. Parents shall refrain from any behaviour or comments which are profane, insulting, harassing, sexist, racist, abusive, disrespectful or otherwise offensive.
6. Parents shall emphasize the importance of values like sportsmanship, respect, cooperation, competition and teamwork to their child offering praise for competing fairly, participation and skill development.
7. Parents shall celebrate the acquisition of skills and goals achieved by their child.
8. Parents, along with the professional coach and the athlete, shall be considered members of a team whose main concern is the child’s overall progress and development.
9. Parents shall respect that the professional coach is responsible and empowered for the on-ice and off-ice development of the athlete.
10. Parents shall ensure their child wears proper skating clothing and equipment.
11. Parents shall adhere to the policies, procedures, rules, standards, and ethics of the ZSC and Skate Canada at all times.
12. Parents will not use technology or social media to disrespect or exploit others.
13. Parents are not allowed to record another child that is not their own unless they have consent from said parent.
14. Concerns/Complaints will be reviewed only if submitted in writing to the Board and will be reviewed by the Board.

Coaches Code of Ethics

Your coach is bound by a code of ethics that they must sign with Skate Canada. You should read the code of ethics (shown below) so you understand the expectations of Skate Canada on the coach's behaviour. If you find that your coach is not following the code, you should discuss this first with the coach. If you find that this does not work, you should approach a board member of the club, who will

work with you, Skate Canada and the coach to resolve the issue.

Coach Ethical Conduct concerning Obligations to the Skater and Parent

To assist one's skating student to determine realistic goals and objectives in the sport.
To provide the skater and parent/s with the basic information necessary to enable them to choose a realistic and affordable course of action to achieve these goals and objectives.
To outline clearly one's coaching services available including cost and method of payment for such services.
To provide such coaching services as agreed or contracted to each student.
To provide the skater and parent/s with a current copy of the Skate Canada Coaches'

Code of Ethics and review the code with the skater and parent/s.

To maintain the skater's best interests at heart when making decisions that will affect the skater's advancement through the sport.
To be ever mindful of the influence one can exercise over one's skating students and to never abuse this trust.
To avoid making promises or giving guarantees to the skater and/or parents of test or competitive achievement but rather endeavor to restrict dialogue to the skater's personal skating development.
To communicate as regularly and effectively as possible with the skater and parent/s as to the skater's progress, changes in Skate Canada rules or club regulations, or other important or relevant information affecting the skater's participation in the sport.
To respect the fact that a skater and/or parent/s have the right to contract the services of another coach to either replace or supplement the student's instruction.

Coach Ethical Conduct concerning Obligations to the Sport

To be familiar with and adhere to the standards of coaching as defined under Section 2400 of the Skate Canada Rulebook; and maintain a current working knowledge of ISU, Skate Canada, Section and club rule changes, policies, regulations and programs so as to be able to deliver the product of skating in a professional manner.
To maintain professional competence by continually pursuing educational and professional upgrading including knowledge in related fields beneficial to skating (e.g. the performing arts, sport science, sport psychology, officiating, etc.).
To exhibit the important character traits of honesty, reliability/dependability and cooperation when dealing with all participants in the sport so as to bring credit to the profession.
To share responsibility with coaching colleagues, judges/evaluators and club officials to initiate and support actions that are required to meet the needs of the skaters, the club and skating in general.
To actively participate in the development and/or maintenance of desirable standards of coaching practice, education, certification and working conditions in the sport.
To dress in a neat, clean and appropriate manner that is becoming a member of this profession.
To give back a certain portion of time, effort and knowledge to the sport as a volunteer.
To promote Skate Canada and its' programs and the sport of skating in general.

Coach Ethical Conduct concerning Obligations to the Club/Skating School

To accurately represent one's technical, educational and professional credentials and resume.
To accept personal responsibility for providing and delivering coaching services in a professional manner.
To help ensure that a positive learning environment is maintained in the club.
To negotiate coaching contracts in good faith and honour their terms.
To treat members of the club with respect and fairness.