Policy Statement

The City of Hamilton's recreation facilities exist to provide residents with opportunities to participate in sport in a safe and positive environment. The City will ensure the most supportive climate possible for Hamilton children so that they can enjoy their sport and learn about competition, teamwork, sportsmanship and fair play.

Hamilton's minor sport system is managed and operated by volunteers. These community-minded citizens contribute in many ways to the success of minor sport in Hamilton. It is the City's responsibility that they too have the ability to work in a safe and positive environment.

It is critical for the City to do all things necessary to ensure that deterrents are in place to ensure that incidents of violent behaviour do not occur in its recreation facilities. Included in this commitment is an understanding that organizations that rent City facilities must take PRIMARY responsibility for the behaviour of all associated with them: players, officials and spectators.

Goals of the Policy

1.   To reduce or eliminate violence from City-owned recreation facilities, including outdoor sports pitches.
2.   To promote positive cheering behaviours among spectators and fans.
3.   To increase the level of understanding among spectators and fans of the importance of creating
          a positive and supportive environment for children's sport.

Definition of Violence

For the purposes of this Policy, the focus is on the behaviour of non-players except in a situation in which a player leaves the area of play to engage in a violent act.

Violence is seen to be the following behaviours:

•  loud verbal assaults
•  threats and attempts to intimidate
•  throwing of articles in a deliberate or aggressive manner
•  aggressive approaches to another individual
•  physical striking of another individual
•  attempts to goad or incite violence in others

The Consequences

Individuals who engage in any of the above behaviours will be subject to immediate ejection from the facility and a further ban from all city facilities for a period of time to be determined by the Director of Culture and Recreation. Incidents may be reported to the Hamilton-Wentworth Regional Police and criminal charges may follow.