HWDSB Spectator Code of Conduct
Hamilton-Wentworth District School Board (HWDSB) & Hamilton-Wentworth Interscholastic Athletic Council (HWIAC) are committed to providing a safe and inclusive environment that is free of violence, abuse and harassment. Everyone is welcome and should expect to help promote an environment where people are treated in a courteous, professional, considerate and respectful manner by all spectators, staff and participants.
The Spectator Code of Conduct reminds spectators of:
- Respectful Behaviour:
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- Spectators are expected to behave respectfully towards all participants, including students, staff, officials, and other spectators.
- Abusive language, taunting, and inappropriate comments are prohibited.
- Positive Support:
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- Cheer for all participants in a supportive and positive manner.
- Avoid negative or disruptive behaviour that could detract from the enjoyment and fairness of the event.
- Compliance with Rules:
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- Follow all event-specific rules and guidelines set out by the organizers and officials.
- Respect the decisions of referees, umpires, and other event officials.
- Safety and Conduct:
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- Ensure that your behaviour does not compromise the safety of participants or other spectators.
- Avoid actions that could lead to conflicts or endanger others.
- No Discrimination or Harassment:
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- Refrain from any form of discrimination, harassment, or exclusion based on race, gender, disability, religion, sexual orientation, or other personal characteristics.
- Respect for Property:
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- Treat all facilities, equipment, and property with respect.
- Ensure that all garbage and personal belongings are disposed of properly.
The following addresses conduct that is inconsistent with HWDSB:
- Interfering with the competition, including entering the field of play, throwing objects of any kind, incidents of distraction.
- Behaviour that is unruly, disruptive, threatening or violent in nature, including verbal or physical harassment of officials, student-athletes, teacher-coaches, staff or other spectators.
- Any disruptive, harmful, or disorderly behaviour or any act which presents a risk to the safety of other individuals interferes with the competition, or otherwise targets other spectators or other spectators’ enjoyment of the competition.
- Posting any images/videos on social media without consent of students, coaches, staff or officials in the content, and/or using social media to harass, harm or threaten HWDSB students, staff, officials, or other spectators.
- Displaying signs, symbols, images (including those associated with hate-based organizations), using language or making gestures that are threatening, abusive, or discriminatory, including based on race, ethnicity, national origin, religion, gender, gender identity, ability, and/or sexual orientation.
- Failing to follow requests regarding event operations, policies, and emergency response procedures.
- Consumption or being under the influence of any alcoholic beverage or drugs, other than medication prescribed by a medical doctor, whether of legal age or not, at any time during a HWIAC event.
- Conduct that results in damage to the facility or other personal property .
- Conduct that is illegal.
Failure to comply with the Spectator Code of Conduct may lead to actions such as: Suspension of entry privileges, ejection, notification of local authorities including police, notification to appropriate sport governing bodies. All HWDSB Policy violations will be dealt/acted upon accordingly using associated HWDSB procedures. Student spectators failing to comply are subject to HWDSB’s progressive discipline policy which may include suspension and/or expulsion. Accordingly, in alignment with the Ontario Safe Schools Act and HWDSB’s Code of Conduct, HWDSB & HWIAC will not tolerate unsafe, abusive, unlawful or offensive conduct at our events.
For more resources: check out True Sport & the updated HWDSB Code of Conduct
Updated on Tuesday, September 24, 2024.