TOP ACADEMY POLICIES

Parent Code of Conduct

TOP Academy is committed to providing a fun, harassment-free environment for all players, coaches, and parents. Any parent that violates the TOP Sports' Code of Conduct or behaves in an inappropriate manner will be immediately instructed to leave the field/rink, and a coach-parent conference will be arranged after the practice or game. If the behaviour persists the parent may be permanently banned from attending all TOP Academy practices and games. 

Youth sports should be focused on the enjoyment and improvement of all players, not providing an outlet for the ego of parents. Any behaviour contrary to this belief will be dealt with quickly and harshly. This is a zero-tolerance policy.  

Refund Policy

Registration fee deposits are payable upon registration in order to confirm a roster spot on TOP Academy teams. If a player opts to leave the program after a deposit is paid they are free to do so, but the deposit will not be refunded. Once the balance of the registration fees are paid, no refunds will be offered. All online credit card transactions are subject to a standard processing fee.

Attendance Policy

In order to get the most out of the program and maintain a competitive structure, players are encouraged to attend as many practices as possible and games while playing on a TOP Academy team. All absences must be communicated ahead of time to the Head Coach.

Vacation Policy

We understand that family vacations are an important part of family lives, and our goal is to allow families to travel, visit family, or take trips without interfering with sports. At the beginning of each season, the Program Manager of each sport will communicate to all registered families a number of 'blackout dates' during the season where there will be no scheduled events. For hockey, an example of blackout dates would be during the Christmas holidays and TDSB March Break. Given how short the spring & fall soccer and lacrosse seasons are, there are no blackout dates. Please try to travel during the summer holidays (July & August) as no formal programming runs during this time.

Cancellation Policy

In the event of inclement weather or facility conditions, TOP Academy reserves the right to cancel any practices, games, or team events with limited notice. Given the limited availability of fields and arenas, TOP Academy is unable to reschedule or replay any practices or games which are cancelled or suspended due to weather or facility conditions. Every effort will be made to proceed with scheduled events as long as it is safe to do so. In the event that TOP Academy coaches and/or directors decide to cancel a practice or game due to inclement weather or facility conditions, every effort will be made to contact all affected families as soon as possible to communicate the changes.

Lightning/Thunder

In the event of lightning or thunder during practices or games, all practices and games will be immediately halted. All parties are to quickly leave the field and seek shelter in a safe location. Players are not to return to the field - and the game will not be resumed - until 30 minutes after the last thunder or lightning. Coaches/Program Directors have been advised to take a “better safe than sorry” approach concerning electrical storms and to always act with player safety in mind.

Facility Conditions

Practices or games may also be cancelled in the event of unsuitable field conditions. TOP Academy maintains its programs by obtaining permits for a variety of fields. The owners of these fields have differing policies on when fields may not be used, but generally, if there has been significant rainfall that leaves standing water on the field, creates unsafe conditions for players or increases the likelihood of significant damage to the field, practices or games will not be played.

No refunds or credits of any kind will be offered for any missed practices or games due to weather or facility closures. TOP Academy will always make a strong effort to ensure all practices and games are played as scheduled, but extenuating circumstances may apply in some cases.

Concussion Policy

TOP Academy is committed to maintaining the health, well-being, and safety of all it's participants. Safety is a top priority for those participating in any sports, and TOP Academy recognizes the increased awareness of concussions and their potential long‐term effects.  This policy is intended to be a tool to assist in proper management of those who have a concussion or  are suspected of having a concussion.  

TOP Academy encourages the prevention of concussions using valuable education programs and enforcement of the rules of the game.

This includes, but is not limited to:  

• The reduction of violence in the game. 
• The reduction of head contact.
• The reduction of hitting from behind.  Education of all participants on prevention and recognition of head injuries and responsible return to play. 
• Encouraging respect and fair play.

If a player is suspected of having a concussion;

• They will be removed from play immediately, regardless if the concussion occurred during play or not. The player will not be permitted to return to play that day. 
• If there are doubts, TOP Academy staff will err on the side of caution and assume that a concussion has occurred.
• The player will be referred to a physician for diagnosis as soon as possible.
• Once a player is diagnosed with a concussion or is experiencing "concussion-like symptoms", they will not be permitted to return to play or practice until all of the return to play requirements are met.

For an overview of the proper steps to take after suffering a concussion, please refer to Parachute Canada's Concussion Guidelines here.

Return-to-Play Policy

Following a diagnosed concussion, all TOP Academy participants will be forbidden to participate in ANY sporting activities unless a Return-to-Play form has been signed by a medical doctor and submitted to the program director for review. For further information about the proper steps to return-to-play after a diagnosed concussion, please access the resources at Smart Teams, available here.

ROWAN'S LAW

Requirements for Sport Organizations
Rowan’s Law (Concussion Safety), 2018 makes it mandatory for sports organizations to

1. Effective July 1, 2019, ensure that athletes under 26 years of age, parents of athletes under 18, Coaches, Team Trainers and Team Officials confirm every year that they have reviewed Ontario’s Concussion Awareness Resources. The Concussion Awareness Resources can be accessed free of charge at the following web location. A Confirmation Receipt for review of Concussion Awareness Resources must be completed by each registered participant and managed by the community sport organization for athletes under 26 years of age, parents of athletes under 18, Coaches, Team Trainers and Team Officials before participating in their sport. The Confirmation Receipt Form can be found here.

2. Effective July 1, 2019, establish a Concussion Code of Conduct that sets out rules of behaviour to support concussion prevention. Each year, Athletes, Coaches and Team Trainers must review and sign off on their applicable Codes of Conduct.

3. Effective July 1, 2020, establish a Removal-from-Sport and Return-to-Sport protocol.  

Further information and sample templates is available online here.

The purpose of Rowan’s Law legislation is to promote culture change and make participation in amateur competitive sport safer. There are no enforcement or monitoring provisions in Rowan’s Law.

It is up to entities and individuals to ensure that they comply with the laws of Ontario.

Background Screening

All individuals holding a volunteer or paid position with TOP Academy shall be subject to Criminal Record Checks which include an Enhanced Criminal Background Check and a search of the National RCMP database, which includes a search of the National Sex Offender Registry. Individuals with outstanding Criminal Code convictions and/or pending charges for certain offenses shall not be eligible to hold the positions with TOP Sports.

Social Media Policy

It is the position of TOP Academy that the Code of Conduct governs all social media forums and all members of the TOP Academy community must continue to abide by the code of conduct when participating in social media exchanges.

It is the policy of TOP Academy that harassment and bullying in any form will not be tolerated and be subject to disciplinary action.  All TOP athletes must refrain from such action and follow the Code of Conduct guidelines to report such incidents. Social Media forums have extended the definition of such infractions and have created a new term known as "cyberbullying". Online harassment, abuse and/or bullying are examples of cyberbullying and TOP Sports has a zero tolerance policy for these types of behaviour.

It is incumbent on all TOP Academy members to adhere to the Code of Conduct in all situations, including during the use of all Social Media forums and technology.  Otherwise, the appropriate measures will be taken and Code of Conduct guidelines will be followed to address such infractions.