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Discipline

Effective April 2021

(I) POLICY STATEMENT

(I-1) Mile Zero Ultimate (MZU) is committed to providing a safe and respectful sporting environment. MZU membership and participation in MZU leagues or events requires compliance with MZU policies, rules, and the Code of Conduct. Non-compliance may result in sanctions pursuant to this policy.

(I-2) MZU is responsible for:

  • Discouraging and preventing unsafe or disrespectful conduct within MZU;
  • Investigating incident reports in a sensitive, confidential, and timely manner;
  • Imposing appropriate disciplinary or corrective measures when an incident report or complaint of discrimination or harassment has been substantiated; and
  • Regularly reviewing the terms of this policy.

(I-3) Players are responsible for:

  • Understanding and adhering to the MZU Code of Conduct, Rules, Harassment and Discrimination Policy, and this Discipline Policy;

(I-4) Team captains are responsible for:

  • Ensuring that their team members understand the MZU Code of Conduct, Rules, Harassment and Discrimination Policy, and this Discipline Policy;
  • Taking immediate action to discuss, prevent, and address any team members’ conduct that violates the MZU Code of Conduct or Discipline Policy; 
  • Checking for and responding to communications from the MZU Board or committees in a timely manner; and
  • Delegating the above responsibilities to a co-captain or other team member if the captain is unavailable.

(II) APPLICATION 

(II-1) This policy applies to all members, volunteers, coaches, spectators, Board members of MZU. MZU requires that all members, volunteers, coaches, spectators, and Board members agree to and comply with the MZU Code of Conduct. 

(II-2) This policy applies to all conduct warranting discipline which may occur during the course of any MZU league, activity, or event.

(II-3) This policy may also apply to the conduct of members, volunteers, coaches, spectators, and Board members outside of MZU’s leagues, activities, and events when such conduct adversely affects relationships within MZU’s sport environment or is detrimental to the image and reputation of MZU. The jurisdiction of this policy is determined by the MZU Board at its sole discretion.

(II-4) Resignation or expiry of membership after an incident is investigated does not preclude disciplinary actions being issued under this policy.

(II-5) This policy does not prevent the application of immediate disciplinary action, including immediate suspension or expulsion.

(III) CONDUCT SUBJECT TO DISCIPLINE

(III-1) Conduct that violates the MZU Code of Conduct and this policy includes, but is not limited to:

  • Any physical altercation including instigating a fight or retaliating;
  • Offensive or unsportsmanlike conduct including taunting, name-calling, swearing, derogatory language, and issuing threats;
  • Overly aggressive and/or rough play including intimidation, charging, and repeated fouls;
  • Continuing to play after serious injury including continuing to play with a bleeding wound (without proper bandaging), shortness of breath, or serious head injury;
  • Conduct that contravenes MZU’s Harassment and Discrimination Policy;
  • Failure to adhere to public health guidelines/orders (eg. COVID-19 health directives) and/or MZU policies in response to public health guidelines/orders;
  • Consuming alcohol and/or illicit substances on fields before, during, or after games;
  • Conduct that jeopardizes or results in the loss of MZU field permits or partnerships, including improperly parked cars, speeding, excessive noise, loose dogs, litter, and urinating in public; and;
  • Failure to respond to MZU communications within 5 days regarding incident investigations or disciplinary actions.

 

 

(IV) INCIDENT REPORT PROCESS

(IV-1) MZU captains, members, spectators or volunteers who experience or witness conduct that violates the MZU Code of Conduct or Discipline Policy, should report it immediately to hi@milezeroultimate.com. 

(IV-2) Incident reports should include:

  • The date(s) on which the incident(s) took place;
  • Where the incident(s) took place;
  • The names of the individuals(s) involved; and
  • Details of the incident(s)

(IV-3) All reported incidents will be promptly investigated and handled by the MZU Board or a Discipline Committee appointed by MZU Board members. Any individual MZU Board member must recuse themself from the investigation and decision making process if they are directly involved in the reported incident or if they have a conflict of interest.

(IV-4) The MZU Board (or Discipline Committee), on their own accord, may open an investigation of an incident that has not been formally reported.

(IV-5) To investigate a reported incident, the MZU Board (or Discipline Committee) may communicate directly with the individuals and/or witnesses involved. The MZU Board (or Discipline Committee) may also consult independent advisors, if necessary.

(IV-6) In all cases, the individuals directly involved in the incident will be informed of the commencement of the investigation as well as the MZU Board (or Discipline Committee) findings at the conclusion of the investigation. 

(IV-7) Any and all communications with or submissions to the MZU Board (or Discipline Committee) regarding complaints or investigations must be formally submitted to hi@milezeroultimate.com. Individuals are not permitted to contact individual MZU Board members or (committee members) regarding complaints or investigations.

(IV-8) The MZU Board (or Discipline Committee) will treat all reported incidents and investigations as confidential, unless otherwise required by law. The names of those involved and the details of the incident will be disclosed only to the extent necessary to facilitate a prompt and thorough investigation or to take appropriate disciplinary measures.

(V) DISCIPLINARY ACTIONS

(V-1) Disciplinary actions can apply to individuals or, if warranted, can apply to all members of a team. 

(V-2) If the MZU Board (or Discipline Committee) finds that an individual or team has violated the MZU Code of Conduct (by engaging in any conduct listed above or other inappropriate conduct), the MZU Board (or Discipline Committee) may:

  • Facilitate informal resolution between the individuals involved, if appropriate;
  • Issue a strike according to the strike actions listed below;
  • Apply additional disciplinary actions;
  • Apply more severe disciplinary actions;
  • Withhold awards; and/or
  • Refer the incident report to Ultimate NL, SportNL, or police

(V-3) Where the MZU Board (or Discipline Committee) decides to issue a strike, the strike sanctions are as follows:

First strike: If an individual or team receives a first strike, that individual or team will receive formal written (or email) notice. The individual or team will be provided with assistance to help them learn from the incident, if applicable.

Second strike: If an individual or team receives a second strike within 2 years of their first strike, the individual or team will receive another written (or email) notice.

Third strike: If an individual or team receives a third strike within 2 years of their first strike, that individual or team may be suspended from all MZU activities, at the discretion of the MZU Board (or Discipline Committee). Suspensions are effective immediately. The appropriate duration of the suspension will be determined by the MZU Board (or Discipline Committee).

(V-4) For serious or repeated incidents of harassment, dangerous play, or any other egregious violation of the MZU Code of Conduct, the MZU Board (or Discipline Committee) may forego the disciplinary strike actions and directly suspend or expel an individual or team, without a refund, if applicable.

(V-5) If an individual or team is suspended, they cannot participate in any MZU leagues, activities, or events for the period of time as specified by the MZU Board (or Discipline Committee). If an individual or team is expelled, they cannot participate in any MZU leagues, activities, or events and are not eligible for MZU membership in the future, without approval from the MZU Board.

(V-6) The MZU Board (or Discipline Committee) reserves the right to issue disciplinary actions against individuals or teams where an incident has not been formally reported.

(V-7) The MZU Board (or Discipline Committee) also reserves the right to issue warnings or take no disciplinary action where the incident may be satisfactorily resolved informally or where, after an investigation, the Board (or Discipline Committee) concludes that the conduct does not violate the MZU policies or the MZU Code of Conduct. Warnings issued to individuals or teams will be recorded and may be considered in future decisions regarding disciplinary actions against those individuals or teams.

(V-8) In all cases, the individual(s) directly involved in the incident(s) will be informed of the disciplinary action(s) imposed. 

(V-9) Any and all communications with or submissions to the MZU Board (or committee) regarding disciplinary actions must be formally submitted to hi@milezeroultimate.com. Individuals or witnesses are not permitted to contact individual MZU Board members or (committee members).

(V-10) The MZU Board (or Discipline Committee) will treat all disciplinary actions as confidential, unless otherwise required by law. The names of those involved, the details of the incident and the details of the disciplinary actions will be disclosed only to the extent necessary to facilitate disciplinary measures or to provide assistance to those involved.