[HISTORY: Adopted by the Township Council of the Township of Chester 10-15-2002. Amendments noted where applicable.]
GENERAL REFERENCES
Parks and playgrounds — See Ch. 130.
This chapter shall pertain to any sporting and recreational event conducted within the Township of Chester.
A.
Any individual coaching or assistant coaching a youth sport must possess a valid coach's card and attend and pass the Rutgers Youth Sports Research Council's safety clinic (or other equivalent training program approved by the Township of Chester's Parks Advisory Committee). This requirement may be temporarily waived up to 90 days due to the unavailability of such training by the Chairman of the Township Park Advisory Committee or Superintendent of Schools.
B.
Background investigation.
[Amended 10-7-2003]
(1)
Any individual coaching or assistant coaching a youth sport must (successfully pass) have a background investigation by the New Jersey State Police.
(2)
Conviction of the following criminal offenses as defined under New Jersey Law or an analogous conviction from another jurisdiction shall be a bar to servicing as a coach or assistant coach: criminal homicide; murder; aggravated manslaughter; aggravated assault; stalking; kidnapping; criminal restraint; enticing child into motor vehicle, structure or isolated area; sexual assault; any offense defined by N.J.S.A. 2C:7-2(b) "Megan's Law"; criminal sexual contract; robbery; carjacking; arson (1st or 2nd degree); burglary; endangering the welfare of a child; possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose; possession of narcotics with the intent to distribute; distribution, dispensing or manufacture of narcotics; attempt to commit any of the above offenses; conspiracy to commit any of the above offenses.
(3)
Conviction of the following criminal offenses or disorderly persons offenses in the last seven calendar years shall be a bar to serving as a coach or assistant coach: possession of a weapon; bias intimidation; possession of cocaine, heroin, or other indictable simple possession of narcotics; simple assault; theft (all degrees); arson (3rd degree); manslaughter (3rd degree); death by auto; terroristic threats; domestic violence; reckless endangerment.
C.
Any individual committing an act of violence, assault, or criminal activity while attending or participating in a youth sporting event or has violated this chapter shall not be permitted thereafter to coach or assistant coach or engage in any support effort, whether voluntary or official, at any youth sporting event. Any team allowing such an individual to participate may have its permit to use a Township facility revoked by the Township Parks Advisory Committee.
D.
Individuals who have violated this chapter or who have committed such acts as described herein may be considered for reinstatement as a coach or assistant coach, official, or volunteer upon successful completion of an anger management course approved by the Township Parks Advisory Committee.
The removal of unruly participants, fans and other individuals shall be authorized as follows:
A.
Officials (paid or volunteer), league officers (as designated on the Township application for facility use), coaches, school officials (for events on school grounds and school authorized events at Township facilities), and the Chairman and Vice Chairman of the Township Parks Advisory Committee officials shall be empowered to direct that an individual remove himself or herself from a playing field and/or park for engaging in behavior violative of this chapter. This behavior shall include, but not be limited to, any criminal behavior, fighting, assault, or threatening or intimidating physical or verbal behavior towards any participant, official or individual attending or viewing the event at any time, including the time period preceding or following a game or practice.
B.
The order of authority for directing the removal shall be the paid or volunteer game official, school official at the facility where the event is being held, league official representing the team with the permit to use the facility, and Township Park Advisory Committee official. In the event that none of the above individuals is available or present, the coach of the home team may request such a removal, provided that he or she has not engaged in behavior in violation of this chapter.
C.
Individuals failing to remove themselves from the sporting facility, event, or park when lawfully requested to do so shall be considered to be in violation of this chapter and subject to fines not in excess of $1,000 and confinement up to 72 hours.
A.
The Township of Chester Park Advisory Committee shall be empowered to offer preferential use of the parks and recreational facilities managed by the Township, provided that the preferential treatment is not in conflict with state or federal law. The action of granting or denying of preferential use will be subject to appeal to the Township Council.
B.
The following criteria will be used when considering the granting of preferential use to a particular organization:
(1)
Benefit to Chester Township youth;
(2)
Benefit to Chester Township citizens;
(3)
Contributions of time, labor or funding to the maintenance and construction of playing fields and activity areas;
(4)
Formal organization of greater than 50 members:
(5)
Written selection process for all teams including All-Star and Select teams;
(6)
Written discipline policy and process;
(7)
Written training requirements/skills for coaches, assistants, and officials;
C.
New organizations and All-Star and Select teams shall be considered as follows:
(1)
New organizations will be considered for use of the Township parks recreational facilities and only after the scheduling of activities for the preferential organizations is complete.
(2)
All-Star and Select teams may face limited availability or denial of facilities use if an existing preferential group already provides services for the sport offering in the age group or skill level for which the facility permit is requested.
