2013/2014 SEASON
PARENT HANDBOOK
U16, Bantam, PeeWee, Squirt & Mite Teams
2013/14 Mission AZ Runners Parent Handbook-U16, Bantam, Peewee, Squirt & Mite
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Mission Arizona Runners (“MAR”) Mission Statement
To provide high quality skill development for all youth players.
To provide a positive and safe environment for all involved.
To develop integrity not only on the ice, but in everyday life situations.
To develop life values through a positive youth hockey experience.
MAR Philosophy
Mission Arizona Runners is an alliance formed for the betterment of Arizona Hockey
players. The goal of this alliance is to unite the west valley, giving all of its players
an opportunity to grow as players and individuals in a nurturing environment and
close-knit community. MAR players will develop under the guidance of a united
professional coaching staff with similar objectives...
MAR’s commitment to our players extends to the communities in which they live and
play. Developing social responsibility is an integral part of our philosophy; our
members will participate in volunteer activities individually, with their team, and with
the entire association.
MAR will abide by the USA Hockey Zero Tolerance policy
Player Code of Conduct
MAR expects its players to:

Always respect yourself, teammates, coaches, officials, and opposing teams.

Never argue with an official, no matter what the call.

Be on time to all practices and games.

Be a good teammate; don’t point fingers – look in the mirror.

Conduct yourself in a manner befitting a Mission AZ Runners player on and
off the ice. Note that “off ice” includes representing Mission AZ Runners in
social networks, Facebook postings, email and text messaging.
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Inappropriate posts and messaging, while representing Mission AZ Runners,
will be grounds for disciplinary action and potential suspension.

Maintain a 2.0 GPA; no D’s or F’s. Players who do not meet this requirement
will attend practices and use the time slot as a study hall.

Dress appropriately for all games. (As outlined in the Mission AZ Runners
Parent Handbook)

Respect the game of hockey. This includes all of its participants.
Any player who exhibits play warranted as cheap, dirty, illegal, or violent will be
removed immediately from the ice and may result in disciplinary action; including
suspension or expulsion from the Mission AZ Runners program. Mission Arizona
Runners will not tolerate inappropriate or potentially harmful behavior. Should a
player be suspended or expelled from the MAR program, neither prorated funds nor
refunds will be issued back to the players due to the violation of the terms and
conditions of the Mission AZ Runners Player Code of conduct.
Parent Code of Conduct
MAR encourages support at all games and practices. Hockey is an exciting game for
fans as well as players. In support of our mission and philosophy, we strive to
maintain a positive atmosphere, where MAR players AND their opponents are
positively recognized and supported for their athletic efforts on the ice. MAR asks
for your cooperation while attending game(s) or practice(s). Please refrain from:

Use of obscene or vulgar language in a boisterous manner to anyone at
anytime

Taunting of players, coaches, officials or other spectators by means of
baiting, ridiculing, physical violence, or threat of physical violence.

Throwing of any object in the spectators viewing area, players bench, penalty
box or on-ice surface, directed in any manner as to create a safety hazard.

Do not encourage cheap, dirty, illegal, or violent play at any time, under any
circumstances.
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
Team managers are selected to represent the board, coaching staff and
team. They work very hard to help us ensure a positive experience for your
players and we expect that they will be treated with respect. Mistreatment or
abuse of managers will absolutely not be tolerated.
Failure to abide by the Mission Arizona Runners Parent Code of Conduct may result
in disciplinary action, including the suspension or expulsion of your player. Neither
prorates or refunds will be issued for players who are suspended or expelled due his
or her parents' violating the terms and conditions of the Mission Arizona Runners
Parent Code of conduct.
Parent-Coach 24-Hour Rule
Parents may not approach coaches to voice complaints or displeasure with coaching
decisions immediately preceding or following a game or practice. Parents must
arrange a meeting through the team manager to meet with the coach. At the
meeting, all questions and concerns will be addressed by the coach in an effort to
move towards a resolution. Individuals in violation of this policy will be contacted by
the Team Manager or the MAR Alliance Board.
Travel
All tournaments are subject to change and cancellation. Mission AZ Runners is not
responsible for the cancellation of published tournaments, or the dissolution of
divisions within tournaments. MAR will not be held financially responsible for any
costs incurred, travel or otherwise, due to cancellation of tournaments or changes in
their terms.
No MAR player or parent is authorized to contact tournaments, tournament directors,
hotels, or representatives thereof directly for any reason. Failure to abide by this
request may result in disciplinary action.
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MAR has a policy of no outbound travel on game days. Unless otherwise explicitly
noted, players are expected to arrive the night before play begins and are expected
to remain available to play until 5pm on the last night of each tournament.
MAR’s priority is hockey and the player experience. As such, players may be
required to attend meetings, chalk talks, dryland sessions, other games, etc.
throughout each tournament. Therefore, we request that you make any recreational
plans with your player on the back end of each tournament. We understand that
families may incur circumstances that will prevent them from attending some
itinerary functions. Please contact your coach directly with any issues.
Due to the ever changing nature of travel hockey and tournaments, no schedules
published by any tournament should be considered final. MAR is in constant contact
with tournament officials and may be, at any time, in negotiations that will change
the schedule. Once MAR has received confirmation from the tournament, your team
manager will send out the Final Schedule. Please note that regardless of tireless
efforts to confirm that information is updated and accurate, tournaments reserve the
right to alter game schedules, even up to the day play is to begin.
As stated above, MAR’s priorities are hockey and the player experience.
Sometimes plans are being made up until the last minute. Although MAR will
provide information on departure and return dates and times in a timely manner,
please do not anticipate tournament itineraries to be released prior to the week of
play. Itineraries may be released as late as the day before departure.
Most tournaments are “Stay to Play” tournaments. This means that each
tournament will provide hotel booking instructions. Any attempt to circumvent these
procedures (booking directly with hotel or on search engines such as
travelocity.com, etc.) may result in the expulsion of your team from the tournament.
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Please do not rely on here say from fellow parents regarding tournament and hotel
information. Contact Brandi Goltz directly with any questions or issues.
Furthermore, all players are required to stay at the team hotel. Although we
understand that many families have relatives and friends in some of our destination
cities, we do require that all players lodge with their teams. Again, we ask that you
contact your coach directly with any special requests regarding tournament lodging.
Hotel booking instructions will vary by tournament and will be forwarded as soon as
received.
Please note that deadlines for hotel room requests must be met, as failure to
do so affects the entire team and may result in disciplinary action.
Credit Card information submitted to Mission Arizona Runners for the use of
booking hotel rooms will only be used for the dates/event specified. Upon
hotel check-in, all cc info will be destroyed. New requests/ authorization
forms will be required for each tournament/event.
Communication
Each Mission Arizona Runners player and his/her parents have provided personal
contact information to MAR Ice for the sole purpose of direct contact by MAR. MAR
will not release contact information to other parties. Should parents independently
decide to exchange contact information, MAR requests that that information be used
for personal use only. The use of player/parent email addresses as a platform to
express grievances will not be tolerated.
Behavior
MAR has a zero tolerance policy with regard to “stirring the pot.” Wearing a Mission
Arizona Runners jersey is a privilege that must be earned. Players or parents with
2013/14 Mission AZ Runners Parent Handbook-U16, Bantam, Peewee, Squirt & Mite
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any issues are asked to speak directly to your team manager, coach, or Jeremy
Goltz. Rallying the troops behind one’s cause will simply not be tolerated and may
result in disciplinary action.
Coaching Conflicts
Due to the unique nature of MAR’s coaching philosophy and style, all coaches play
an integral role in the development of all teams and, as such, coaches other than
your Head Coach may periodically participate in your practice or games. In addition,
some of our coaches Head more than one team, and all have full time jobs.
Therefore, conflicts may occur, but rest assured a qualified MAR coach will always
be on the bench with your player.
Tryouts and Membership
Tryouts are held in May. Upon written acceptance of a roster spot, a non-refundable
deposit of $ 500.00 is due no later than June 8 , 2013. Any additional roster spots
will be filled by currently rostered MAR players, rostered alternates or invitation to
tryout..
MAR Season Ice Fees
The 2013-2014 season ice fees will vary from team to team please note your team’s
fee and payment plan on your acceptance letter. This includes professional
coaching, all practices, games, tournament entry fees, two game jerseys, two pair
game socks, hockey gloves, hockey pant shells, one practice jersey, one pair
practice socks, hockey bag, helmet, warm-up suit, off-ice training and Coach’s travel
expenses.
Season ice fees are calculated based on a minimum man roster noted on the
benefits package received with your acceptance letter. This benefits package may
also be viewed in its entirety in the Mission room for the entire 2013-2014 season.
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MAR will make adjustments to the ice schedule to meet the estimated budget should
there be any shortage in ice fees, caused by the team rostering fewer than the
required number of players to meet the estimated budget.
Costs not included in the Season Ice Fees are player (and parent) travel expenses
for out-of-town tournaments, additional practices and tournament fees associated
with advancement beyond the initial round of Silversticks or State Playdowns (if
applicable),white helmet (required), cage for red helmet and all hockey equipment
not specifically listed as included with the Season Ice Fees.
**MAR will not accept personal checks following a returned check due to NSF.
Should you write a check that is returned, we ask that future payments be
made by cash, Cashier’s check, or money order.
No Pay, No Play Policy
If it is determined that on-time payment has not been made by a MAR player, the
NO PAY, NO PLAY POLICY takes effect and the delinquent family will be notified.
Payment must be received by the player’s next scheduled ice slot, or the player will
not be allowed to skate until the bill is brought current. In addition, MAR fully
supports and participates in the Arizona Amateur Hockey Association state rule, any
player who has an outstanding balance with an AAHA association, cannot be
registered and rostered on another AAHA team until the outstanding balance is paid.
MAR Refund Policy
Generally, all MAR fees and deposits are non-refundable and non-transferable.
However, MAR refunds of season ice fees may be available in the event a player
sustains a season ending injury that prevents participation, and will be prorated
based on the length of recuperation. Injury refund/waiver requests must be made in
writing and include a physician’s note with an estimated medical release date. The
2013/14 Mission AZ Runners Parent Handbook-U16, Bantam, Peewee, Squirt & Mite
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MAR Alliance Board has up to 90 days from receipt of the request to render a
decision and issue any applicable refund. The decision of the MAR Alliance Board is
final. If the MAR Alliance Board grants a refund/waiver, a doctor’s release will be
required before the player will be allowed to participate in team activities.
NOTE: A non-paying player, for whatever reason, is not guaranteed a position on
the team roster and may be replaced by a paying player as deemed necessary by
the coach. A player receiving a refund of fees due to injury will be considered a nonpaying player.
USA Hockey Registration and Insurance
USA Hockey has now implemented the Individual Membership Registration process
on-line. MAR members are now responsible for their own USA Hockey registration.
Players register with USA Hockey by visiting www.usahockey.com and clicking on
“on-line registration.” Registrations are effective for one year (June 1 – May 31).
Upon registering, members will then need to provide a copy of their USA Hockey
confirmation to MAR to complete their registration process. Once registered, this
program provides accident insurance for covered medical expenses of members in
excess of their personal or group medical insurance. Please be sure to report all
hockey related incidents that require outside medical attention to the MAR Alliance
Boards. The association must be kept informed of all serious injuries.
Hockey Operations Committee
The Hockey Operations Committee is comprised of the MAR Alliance Board and
Goltz Hockey.
The Hockey Operations Committee will enforce all USA Hockey rules and
AAHA/MAR regulations as they apply to MAR players, coaches and parents. The
committee will be informed of all game and gross misconducts, as well as major and
match penalties by the AAHA disciplinary committee who is responsible for
assessing the minimum USA Hockey suspensions and also has full power to impose
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further suspensions. In instances involving a game misconduct, the MAR
Committee will review the incident and inform the player or coach that they received
a game misconduct and according to USA Hockey, must sit the following game. The
committee may also assess additional penalties for a game misconduct. For all
incidents involving a gross, major or match penalty, according to USA Hockey and
AAHA policy and procedures, the said player or coach is automatically suspended
for 30 days or until a mandatory hearing by the AAHA disciplinary Committee is held
and a decision is made. If circumstances prevent the committee from meeting within
30 days, according to USA Hockey, said player or coach shall be suspended until
the 30 days expires or a ruling by the proper authorities is assessed. The Hockey
Operations Committee also has the power to impose sanctions and/or expulsion
from MISSION AZ RUNNERS for any rules violations by a player, coach or parent.
MAR Rink Rules and Regulations
The game of hockey provides much excitement and enthusiasm at the ice rink.
Players, parents and all other spectators are reminded that Peoria Polar Ice is your
rink and should be treated accordingly. The following rules and regulations must be
adhered to at all times by MAR members. If you as a member witness a violation,
please enforce or inform a member of MAR or rink staff immediately. Your
assistance is greatly appreciated.
– Parents are responsible for any damage to rink grounds or property caused
by their player.
– No one is allowed on the bench or bench area except players, coaches with
the appropriate USA Hockey certification and/or game officials. Continued
warnings will result in disciplinary action.
– Parents are not allowed near player benches during games or practices. The
time on the ice with your player belongs to the coaches.
– No one is allowed on the ice until the zamboni doors are closed and locked.
Anyone found continually violating this policy will be subject to disciplinary
action.
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– No players are to go onto the ice surface without a coach present. Players
must wait for a coach to enter the bench area or take the ice.
– Players must leave their helmets on while on the ice, on the bench or in the
penalty box. Removal of helmets is strictly prohibited.
– All players must treat rink employees, league officials, coaches and officials
with respect.
– Alcohol or drugs are not allowed. Any player or coach who shows up to a
MAR practice or game under the influence of alcohol or drugs is subject to
disciplinary action, up to and including expulsion from the association.
Volunteer Positions
For parents wanting to be directly involved, MAR offers numerous positions. Those
interested in any of the following should contact the MAR Alliance Board of.

Team Manager – Assist by getting information to and from your team via emails, phone calls, flyers, etc. Act as the team representative when dealing
with issues involving your team and the Head Coach, Hockey Operations
Committee or Board of Directors. Assure that a qualified member of your
team is available to run the scoreboard, score sheet and/or penalty box
during games. This position requires some dedication and you will be
required to attend at least one meeting at the start of the season. Each team
is required to have a team manager.

Equipment Manager – Responsible for assembling and maintaining a tool
box/first aid kit. The Equipment Manager should be a person who can attend
all games and is willing to position himself/herself near the bench during
games. Due to the close proximity to the bench and ice surface, the
Equipment Manager will refrain from communicating with players, coaches
and officials unless required to perform first aid or equipment repairs. It is
hopeful the Equipment Manager will be able to attend out-of-town games.

Water Bottle/Puck Manager – Responsible for supplying filled water bottles
and warm-up pucks at all games and practice games. Water bottles need to
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be washed after every game. The Water Bottle/Puck Manager should be a
person who can attend all games and is willing to distribute the bottles and
ready the pucks on the bench before the game and collect them after the
game. Filtered or bottled water is preferred for our athletes. It is hopeful the
Water Bottle/Puck Manager will be able to attend out-of-town games.

Special Events/Activities – Assist in the coordination of barbeques, fund
raisers, tournaments, team apparel sales, year-end parties, etc. The goal is
to have a list of 10-20 “on-call” individuals who would be willing to work one or
two of these events/activities.
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