In-House Programs & Governance

Policies, Rules, and Disclosures for LCC Saints Ice Hockey Club In-House Run Programs

Program Scope & Code of Conduct

Applies To: All LCCSIHC Independent In-House Programs (including competitions, trainings, scrimmages, and club development sessions).

LCC Saints Ice Hockey Club (LCCSIHC) operates select recreational competitions, trainings, scrimmages and development programs independently of Ice Hockey NSW (IHNSW) and Ice Hockey Australia (IHA).

For these in-house programs, the following governance rules apply:

  • Adoption of Behavioural Standards: All players, parents, spectators, coaches, referees, and Non-Playing Officials (NPOs) must adhere to the behavioural and sportsmanship standards set out in the Club’s main Code of Conduct (including respectful conduct toward officials, anti-bullying, and maintaining a drug- and alcohol-free environment). Participants in LCCSIHC In-House Programs acknowledge that their membership may be terminated in accordance with the LCCSIHC Constitution and Code of Conduct if standards are breached.

  • Independent Club Governance: Where the main Code of Conduct references IHNSW or IHA administration, those provisions are replaced by LCCSIHC governance for in-house activities:

    • No IHNSW Sanctioning or Insurance: In-house programs are not sanctioned by IHNSW or IHA, and national member insurances do not apply.

    • Clearances Not Required: IHNSW player clearances are not required for independent in-house recreational play.

    • Disciplinary & Complaints Authority: All breaches of conduct, on-ice penalties, suspensions, and formal complaints are managed solely by the LCCSIHC Committee under the Club’s Constitution and Complaints Handling Process - not the IHNSW Tribunal.

In-House Program Insurance Disclosure

Effective Date: November 2026
Applies To: All LCCSIHC Independent In-House Programs.

LCC Saints Ice Hockey Club (LCCSIHC) in-house programs operate independently of Ice Hockey NSW (IHNSW) and Ice Hockey Australia (IHA). For these in-house programs, IHA/IHNSW member insurances do not apply, and participants are covered under the Club’s independent insurance framework:

  • Club Liability Insurance: LCCSIHC maintains current Public Liability and Professional Indemnity insurance covering the Club, its committee, and registered officials/volunteers acting within the scope of their authorised Club duties.

  • Catastrophic Sporting Injury Cover (icare NSW): Registered players and officials are covered under the statutory NSW Sporting Injuries Insurance Scheme (*Sporting Injuries Insurance Act 1978*), which provides no-fault lump-sum benefits strictly for serious permanent impairment or death. It excludes minor injuries, broken bones, dental bills, medical expenses, and loss of income.

  • Supplementary Personal Accident / Non-Medicare Medical Cover: [STATUS: Pending Finalisation] - Until confirmed active on this page, the Club does not cover routine medical bills, physiotherapy, dental trauma, ambulance fees, or loss of income.

Participant Recommendation: LCCSIHC strongly recommends that all players, officials, and volunteers maintain independent Private Health Insurance and active NSW Ambulance Cover.

Inherent Risks & Voluntary Participation

Ice hockey is an inherently physical and fast-paced recreational activity that carries risks of serious personal injury, permanent disability, or death (including from falls, collisions, skates, sticks, and stray pucks). Pursuant to Section 5M of the Civil Liability Act 2002 (NSW), all players, officials, volunteers, and spectators participate and attend voluntarily at their own risk.

In-House Competition Rules & Concussion Protocol

All LCCSIHC recreational in-house programs are governed by the following rules and non-negotiable safety standards:

  • IHA Standards and Rules: Unless otherwise specified all in-house competitions follow standard rules set out by IHA recreational ice hockey activities.

  • Strict Non-Checking Format: Unless otherwise specified, all in-house competitions are structured as non-checking, social, recreational hockey. Body-checking, deliberate physical targeting, roughing, fighting, and aggressive stick contact are strictly prohibited. Referees hold absolute authority to eject or suspend players violating non-contact rules without refund.

  • Mandatory Protective Equipment: All players must wear full, approved ice hockey protective equipment (CSA/HECC certified helmet, shoulder pads, elbow pads, hockey pants, shin guards, protective cup/pelvic protector, hockey gloves and neck guards). All junior players (under 18) must wear a full wire cage or full polycarbonate shield. Seniors (18+) are permitted to wear a regulation half-shield or full cage at their choosing.

  • Concussion & Return-to-Play Protocol: LCCSIHC enforces a strict "If in doubt, sit them out" rule. Any player or on-ice official who sustains a head knock or exhibits suspected concussion symptoms will be immediately removed from the ice. They may not return to play or officiate on the same day and must provide written medical clearance before returning to any Club activity.

  • LCC Membership Requirement: In accordance with our Constitution, all adult participants (18+) and at least one parent/guardian of any junior participant (under 18) must hold current financial membership with Liverpool Catholic Club (LCC).

In-House Officials, Coaches & Non-Playing Officials (NPOs)

All on-ice officials (referees and linespersons), coaches, team managers, scorebench operators, and volunteers supporting LCCSIHC in-house programs must adhere to the following governance and safety standards:

  • Mandatory Registration & Authorisation: All adult and junior officials, coaches, and Non-Playing Officials (NPOs) must complete a registration waiver prior to commencing duties. Registration formally authorises the individual as an official or volunteer of LCCSIHC, which is required to activate coverage under the Club's insurance framework.

  • Child-Safe Recruitment, Screening & WWCC Verification: In alignment with Standard 5 of the NSW Child Safe Standards, LCCSIHC applies strict screening to all adults (18+) seeking supervisory, coaching, or child-related roles (including Coaches, Team Managers, and supervising officials) prior to appointment:

    • WWCC Checks: Adults (18+) must hold a current NSW Working With Children Check (WWCC) verified online via the Office of the Children’s Guardian (OCG) / Service NSW employer portal before commencing duties. (Junior officials and volunteers under 18 are legally exempt from holding a WWCC and operate under the direct supervision of WWCC-cleared adults).

    • Child-Safe Interview: Prospective coaches, managers, and supervisory volunteers may require a structured in-person or video interview with at least two Committee members, including behavioural and scenario-based questions assessing their understanding of child safety, boundaries, and member protection.

    • Verbal Referee Checks: At least two (2) verbal reference checks may be conducted with previous sporting clubs, supervisors, or unrelated referees who have known the applicant for at least 12 months, specifically confirming their conduct, integrity, and suitability to work with young people.

    • Induction & Policy Sign-Off: Prior to taking the ice or bench, appointed officials must complete a Club safeguarding induction and formally acknowledge the LCCSIHC Child Safeguarding Policy and Code of Conduct.

  • Qualifications & Accreditation: On-ice referees, linespersons, and coaches must hold current IHNSW/IHA accreditation or possess verified officiating/coaching experience approved by the LCCSIHC Committee prior to taking the ice.

  • Insurance Coverage & Scope: Registered officials and voluntary workers are indemnified under LCCSIHC’s Sportscover Public Liability and Professional Indemnity policies strictly while acting in good faith within the scope of their authorised Club duties and in compliance with Club rules. Under the Sporting Injuries Insurance Act 1978, registered officials are covered for catastrophic permanent impairment or death and are exempt from NSW Workers Compensation laws while officiating or volunteering in authorised Club activities.

  • Scorebench, Concussion & Incident Reporting: Non-Playing-Officials (scorebench, timekeepers, penalty box attendants) and Team Managers must remain impartial, maintain a strictly alcohol and drug-free environment, assist referees by ensuring any player or official suspected of a concussion is removed from play, and log all injuries or safety incidents with the Club.

In-House Mixed-Age Child Safeguarding & Facility Rules

Applies To: All LCCSIHC In-House Programs and Activities Involving Both Junior (Under 18) and Senior (18+) Participants (including Players, Junior Officials, and Volunteers).

LCC Saints Ice Hockey Club (LCCSIHC) is committed to upholding the NSW Child Safe Standards (*Children’s Guardian Act 2019*). Whenever an in-house competition, scrimmage, or training session includes both junior (under 18) and senior (18+) participants, the Club enforces strict physical and digital boundaries:

  • Strict Change-Room Segregation: Junior players (under 18) and Senior players (18+) must use separate, designated change-rooms. Under no circumstances are junior and senior players permitted to share change-rooms, showers, or wet spaces.

  • Junior Match Officials (Under 18): Junior referees and linespersons (under 18) must not change in the same dressing room as adult referees (18+) or adult players. A separate designated changing space (or staggered changing times) will be provided for all under-18 officials.

  • The Two-Adult Rule & Supervision: Junior change-rooms remain secured until at least two (2) WWCC-cleared club officials are present to supervise. No senior player, un-cleared volunteer, or adult spectator is permitted inside Junior change-rooms (parents may briefly assist their own child with gear at the door prior to team talks). No adult (18+) may ever be alone in a change-room, vehicle, or enclosed space with a minor (other than their own child).

  • Ban on Cameras & Mobile Recording: Cameras, mobile phones, and video recording devices are strictly prohibited inside or near change-rooms and facility wet areas.

  • Digital Communications: Senior players (18+), coaches, and officials must never initiate private, one-on-one text messages, emails, or social media direct messages with a junior participant. All team or logistical communications involving minors must be sent via official Club platforms or explicitly copy a parent/guardian for supervision.

  • Reporting & Member Protection: Any child safety concern, boundary breach, or suspicion of misconduct must be reported immediately to the Club’s Member Protection Information Officer (MPIO) or the Club President. Serious allegations involving child abuse or criminal conduct will be reported immediately to the NSW Police and the NSW Office of the Children’s Guardian (OCG).