​Canadian National Underwater Hockey Team Policy

Rumblefish Underwater Hockey Club
Purpose:

1. To outline the responsibilities and expectations of RumbleFish players trying out or competing on the Canadian National Underwater Hockey Teams.
2. To outline the responsibilities of CUGA and CUGA National Team Representatives and Coaching Staff involved with RumbleFish players.

Rationale:
We believe that playing underwater hockey, or any sport for your country, is a great honor and can be a fantastic experience. We further believe that any team that is assembled with the intent of representing Canada should only compete against teams from other countries that are assemble for the same purpose. The idea of assembling groups of players from large geographic areas and then entering competitions within North America will weaken club growth and competition.  

Underwater Hockey is a small sport and the governing body is correspondingly understaffed and undervalued. The majority of the executive are focused on our International efforts and have not created rules or policies to protect the interests of geographically based clubs or their athletes.  The lack of rules around team composition has undermined club growth to the extent that there are currently very few viable clubs and even less who can assemble teams to compete at any tournament, let alone in an A division. 

The National Teams have no minimum metrics for the skill or experience of players and often look to recruit newer players to fund and support each cycle. This can mean recruiting newer players, unprepared; physically, developmentally, psychologically or financially for the demands of a worlds tryout.  Players who enter the try-out process too early in their development will often find the experience less than desirable and in many instances end up quitting the sport completely.

This problem is further complicated by the women's program that was originally launched to support the increase of women playing the sport but has instead developed into a stand alone, non-geographically based, women's club. The recruitment into the women's program/club to play at club level tournaments is in direct opposition to our clubs belief in the development of a geographically based competitive club model.     

Definitions:

1. Canadian National Underwater Hockey Teams includes both development programs, development teams and selected teams.
2. Policy: A document that attempts to create a framework for success within our club. They are not rules and are for the the protection of the club and it's entire membership.
   
3. Event: An event includes but is not limited to development camps, training events, trial/tryout events, selection tournaments, clinics, team participation in tournaments other than the CMAS UWH World Championships.

Eligibility:

1. No athlete will be approached or released to a Canadian National Team without the officially designated CUGA Representative for that team first receiving written approval from the Rumblefish coach responsible for the athlete.
2. Rumblefish athletes will be eligible to participate in Canadian National Underwater Hockey teams no earlier than 3 years from when they begin playing underwater hockey. 

Responsibilities:

1. CUGA Representatives have the following responsibilities as per the CUGA Code of Conduct Section Athlete Development Bullets 3-5.
   1. Act in the  best  interest  of  the  athlete’s  development  as  a  whole  person.   
   2. Respect coaches including all club coaching staff.
   3. Respect athletes playing with other teams and, in dealings with them, not encroach upon topics or actions which are related to coaching and/or recruiting without receiving prior approval from the club coaches who are responsible for the safety, enjoyment, development and long term retention of our club players.

 

1. Rumblefish players have the following responsibilities while they participate, trial and compete with a Canadian National Underwater Hockey Team:
   1. National Team commitments do not replace commitments to Rumblefish, they are in addition to club commitments and in matters of conflict, the player is responsible to prioritize the Rumblefish club.
   2. Rumblefish players will continue to support the Rumblefish Club’s development through no lessening of their commitment to participate in Rumblefish Club practices, games and events. 
   3. Rumblefish Club players continue to support the game plan, direction and philosophy of the Club’s coaches
   4. Rumblefish Club players will not participate in any Event that takes away from the player’s ability (time or budget) to compete with the Rumblefish Underwater Hockey Club.

 

1. Rumblefish coaches have the following responsibilities
   1. Act in the  best interest of the athlete’s development as a whole person.   
   2. Uphold the physical safety and health of all athletes by avoiding placing athletes in situations presenting unnecessary risk or that are beyond their current development or performance level.   
   3. Coach responsibly making wise use of the  authority of the position and making decisions in the interest of each athlete. 
   4. Prepare athletes systematically and progressively, using appropriate time frames and monitoring physical and psychological adjustments and ensuring the use of safe training methods. 
   5. Actively care for the present and future health of athletes by cooperating with the treatment and management of athletes’ medical and psychological treatments.

Exceptions:

1. Application for exceptions to this policy may be made in writing to the Rumblefish Underwater Hockey Club’s Head Coach.
2. Applications should include rationale to support the deviation and any applicable measures that will be put in place to continue to meet the spirit of this policy.

Updated: Sept. 6th 2023