Progressive Discipline
Nantucket Youth Hockey believes that discipline should be fair, consistent, educational, and proportional to the conduct at issue. While protecting the safety and integrity of the program is the organization's highest priority, the objective of discipline is to correct behavior whenever appropriate—not simply to punish.
Accordingly, NYH follows a progressive discipline model. Except in cases involving serious misconduct, participant safety, SafeSport violations, criminal conduct, or other circumstances requiring immediate action, disciplinary measures will generally increase in severity for repeated or escalating misconduct.
The Board of Directors and/or the Disciplinary Committee may consider the following factors when determining an appropriate response:
- The severity of the misconduct.
- Whether the conduct was intentional, reckless, or accidental.
- The participant's age, maturity, and level of understanding.
- Prior disciplinary history.
- Whether the participant accepts responsibility and demonstrates remorse.
- The impact of the conduct on teammates, opponents, officials, coaches, spectators, or the organization.
- Whether the participant cooperated during the investigation.
- Whether the conduct damaged the reputation of Nantucket Youth Hockey or the sport of hockey.
- Any aggravating or mitigating circumstances.
Typical Progressive Discipline
While every situation is unique, discipline will generally follow the progression below:
Level 1 – Educational Intervention
- Verbal discussion or counseling
- Reminder of team or organizational expectations
- Parent/guardian notification (when applicable)
Level 2 – Written Warning
- Formal written warning
- Meeting with the participant and parent/guardian
- Behavior improvement expectations established
Level 3 – Probation
- Written probation for a defined period
- Continued participation permitted under specified conditions
- Additional misconduct during probation may result in suspension
Level 4 – Suspension
- Suspension from one or more practices
- Suspension from one or more games
- Suspension from team travel or organization activities
- Spectator restrictions for parents or guardians, when applicable
Level 5 – Removal
- Removal from a team
- Suspension from Nantucket Youth Hockey for a defined period\
- Permanent expulsion from the organization in the most serious circumstances
Immediate Discipline
The Board reserves the authority to bypass progressive discipline whenever warranted.
Progressive discipline is not required when conduct involves:
- Physical violence or assault
- Credible threats of violence
- Abuse of game officials
- Bullying or harassment that jeopardizes participant safety
- Hazing
- Discrimination or hate-based conduct
- Theft, vandalism, or significant property damage
- Alcohol, tobacco, nicotine, cannabis, or illegal drug use in connection with NYH activities
- Conduct subject to the jurisdiction of the U.S. Center for SafeSport
- Criminal conduct
- Any behavior that places participants, volunteers, or the public at immediate risk
In such cases, NYH may impose an immediate temporary suspension, remove an individual from participation pending investigation, or impose any sanction deemed appropriate following review.
Educational and Restorative Measures
Whenever appropriate, disciplinary action may include educational or restorative components intended to promote accountability and personal growth, including:
- Written or verbal apologies
- Community service benefiting NYH Sportsmanship or leadership education
- Conflict resolution meetings
- Restitution for damaged property
- Meetings with coaches, parents, or Board representatives
No Expectation of Identical Outcomes
Because every incident presents unique facts and circumstances, prior disciplinary decisions do not guarantee identical outcomes in future cases. The Board and Disciplinary Committee retain discretion to impose discipline that they determine is reasonable, equitable, and in the best interests of the participants and Nantucket Youth Hockey while remaining consistent with USA Hockey, Mass Hockey, SafeSport requirements, and this policy.
To report an incident, please download the form, and submit by email to noreasteryouthhockey@gmail.com.