Club Rules & Bylaws

MEMBER CODE OF CONDUCT

As a private club, our reputation is based on the quality of our membership. The behavior and conduct of each member reflects on the reputation of all members. Accordingly, all members should abide by, and expect each other member to abide by, certain standards of behavior when at the Club and when representing the Club at another facility.

The following Member Code of Conduct has been adopted by the Board of Governors to guide the members in understanding their responsibilities in maintaining the good reputation our Club has earned over many years.

Winter Club members are expected to:

• Conduct themselves in a manner that reflects positively upon them individually and the whole of the New Canaan Winter Club.   
• Respect and uphold the Club’s history, culture, and good standing in the community.
• Be familiar with and abide by the rules and regulations in the membership handbook, including the Club's by-laws, clubhouse rules, rink rules, Hardon Pond rules, and chaperone duties, and to respect the Club’s property and facilities. 
• Abide by the USA Hockey Code of Conduct and the Sport Parent Code of Conduct.
• Display good sportsmanship in all Club events, both on and off the ice whether at our rink or any other facility. 
• Sportsmanlike conduct includes showing respect and consideration in language and behavior toward all who are in attendance at an athletic event: officials, coaches, athletes, opponents, spectators, and the media.
• Unsportsmanlike conduct includes inappropriate behavior in language, gesture, or action that demeans, physically intimidates, or endangers others, not just during athletic competition but also during other activities of the Club.
• Good sportsmanship also implies winning with character and losing with dignity, and doing both with class.
• Respect the opinions, decisions, results and other determinations of referees, coaches, volunteers, program heads, committee members, employees, governors and Justin Bartolo, Rink Manager.

The Board of Governors believes that violations of this Member Code of Conduct or the Club’s rules and regulations could materially diminish the reputation of the Club. Any member who violates this Member Code of Conduct or the Club’s rules and regulations will be subject to disciplinary action, which may include a warning, suspension of program participations, or expulsion from the Club. 

CLUBHOUSE RULES

1. All members must clean up after themselves.
2. No roughhousing.
3. No using cell phones inside.
4. No pets inside.  
5. Taking or “borrowing” of equipment that does not belong to you, without permission of the equipment’s owner, is grounds for suspension. 
6. Consumption of food is confined to the dining area only. No food or beverage is allowed in the upholstered lounge section. 
7. No smoking or vaping.
8. No alcoholic beverages or drugs on Club property. Using Club facilities in possession of or under the influence of alcohol or drugs is prohibited.
9. The machinery room is off-limits to everyone, except the Rink Manager and other NCWC staff.
10. Skate changing is permitted on wooden benches only!   
11. No hockey sticks inside.
12. Members and guests are required to exercise utmost quiet when leaving the Club during late evening hours. The honking of car horns is prohibited.
13. Fires may only be made by the Rink Manager or other NCWC staff.  
14. No playing or running in the parking lot at any time.

RINK RULES

1. Helmets:  
2. ALL children 13 and under are required to wear a protective helmet and mittens/gloves.
3. All hockey players, regardless of age, are required to wear a protective helmet and hockey gloves, and those under 18 are required to wear a full shield or full cage. Includes partition hockey. 
4. It is STRONGLY RECOMMENDED that skaters of ALL ages wear a protective helmet. 
5. On the ice, there are always skaters of varying ages and levels of abilities, and it is extremely dangerous to skate out of control at any time. No tag, crack-the-whip, “keep away” or other dangerous games on the ice.  
6. No cell phones, earbuds, earphones, or headphones on the ice.
7. No food or beverages on the ice.  
8. No one is permitted on the ice when the Zamboni is in use.
9. All partition hockey skaters must use the far door to enter/exit the rink.
10. Pucks are NOT ALLOWED in the general skating area. Pucks that get knocked from the partition hockey area into the general skating area must be picked up and carried, not stick handled.  
11. When there are too many skaters in the partition, or too diverse a range of ages, the Rink Manager or other member of the NCWC staff on duty may, at his discretion, separate those in the partition into groups or take other appropriate action to facilitate the safe use of the rink by all skaters.
12. Children under nine years of age are not allowed at the Club unless accompanied by an adult member, sibling, or sitter at least 14 years of age. The Club cannot function as a day care center and young children should not be left on their own. When left at the rink for scheduled activities, young children should be picked up promptly at the conclusion of those activities.
13. Adult members should not carry small children while skating as this is a dangerous practice.
14. We all should cooperate with the Rink Manager and other NCWC staff on duty and not delay them from leaving the rink when their regular hours are over. Please be sure to check closing times and be prompt in picking up your children. 
15. No guests allowed in partition hockey or full ice shinny hockey unless pre-approved by the NCWC’s Secretary. 

HARDON POND RULES

1. No one is permitted on the pond when the “Keep Off” sign is posted.
2. Skating is allowed within marked boundaries only. Skating outside these marked areas is dangerous and anyone failing to obey the boundaries will be prohibited from using the pond.  
3. All helmet requirements apply (see “Rink Rules” Section 1).  
4. Anyone throwing any object on the pond (including snowballs and rocks) will be reprimanded.

RESTRICTIONS

Any violation of these rules should be reported to the Rink Manager so that prompt disciplinary action may be taken. The Rink Manager or other NCWC staff on duty are authorized to remove any member who is not complying with the Club rules or use their discretion if the member is acting in a discourteous or dangerous manner. Violations of the Club rules will be recorded in the Black Book. After a second offense, the parents will be notified. A 3rd offense is grounds for suspension.

INJURIES AND INCIDENTS

Please report all injuries and incidents to the NCWC staff member on duty and fill out a report that can be found in the Incident/Injury Report Binder in the office.

EMERGENCY FORMS AND WAIVERS

No member shall be allowed to skate until his or her club waiver, contact information, medical history, and consent to medical treatment have been provided to the Club.  

ASSUMPTION OF RISK 

Members and their immediate families, as well as their guests, using the Club facilities, equipment or property do so at their own risk. The Club assumes no responsibility for injury or damage resulting from such use on the premises.  

For the NCWC Bylaws, please click here.