Social Media Policy

The Hamden Youth Hockey Association (HYHA) acknowledges the widespread use of social media networking as it relates to the personal and professional lives of its members. While social media provides an immediate and public forum of opportunities for networking and promotion, it also provides an unsupervised medium for inappropriate conduct to occur. Given that this conduct has the risk of being detrimental to the welfare of the Hamden Youth Hockey Association and its membership and not in the best interests of the game, HYHA requires the following standards to be upheld when its members use social media. 

Members of the Hamden Youth Hockey Association should always assume that they are representing HYHA. Members are expected to demonstrate discretion and respect when using these media sites. Members are forbidden from posting anything that could be considered disparaging to the association or its programs and teams, competing programs or teams, players, teammates, referees, coaches, managers or staff.

Further, members are forbidden from any posts that are vulgar, sexual in nature, contain reference to alcohol or drugs, contain nudity or could reasonably be considered harassment, bullying, stalking or any other inappropriate contact or behavior, however they are intended. 

The Hamden Youth Hockey Association holds its entire membership who participate in online social media to the same standards as it would with all forms of communication including television, radio and print. 

The following are some examples of unacceptable behavior on online social networking mediums (e.g. Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, Snapchat) that will result in appropriate disciplinary action at the discretion of the Hamden Youth Hockey Association Board of Directors. 

• Posting or divulging confidential information that includes but is not limited to member’s personal information, contact information, medical conditions, injuries and/or other sensitive matters pertinent to HYHA and its membership. 
• Posting negative or derogatory comments about any of HYHA’s or competing program’s staff, programs, members, stakeholders or program participants. 
• Posting photographs, video or comments promoting negative influences or criminal behavior 
• including but not limited to drug use, alcohol abuse, public intoxication, sexual exploitation, etc. Participating in any online activity that contradicts the current policies of HYHA. 
• Posting any inappropriate, derogatory, racist, or sexist comments contradictory to HYHA and USA Hockey’s policies on these matters. Any material, comments or actions through these mediums deemed inappropriate will be reviewed by the HYHA Board of Directors for possible sanctions up to and including suspension and/or expulsion from the program. 

Should a possible violation occur at a time when a Board member is not available to review, a coach has the discretion to make a decision to bench a player until such time as the violation can be reviewed by the Board. The Hamden Youth Hockey Association fully supports and will implement USA Hockey’s Social Media, Mobile and Electronic Communications policy as outlined in the SafeSport handbook. 

A member is defined as people directly involved with the Hamden Youth Hockey Association, including players, coaches, team managers, team support staff, parents and administrative staff.