LOCKER ROOM POLICY
Locker Room Policy
In addition to the development of our hockey players and enjoyment of the sport of hockey, the safety and protection of our participants is central to Wallingford Hawks Youth Hockey Association's (WHYHA’s) goals. WHYHA adheres to USA Hockey’s Safe Sport Program as a means to help protect it’s participants from physical abuse, sexual abuse and other types of misconduct from occurring in our locker rooms, The WHYHA has adopted the following locker room policy. This policy is designed to maintain personal privacy as well as to reduce risk of misconduct in locker rooms.
LOCKER ROOM MONITORING
WHYHA has predictable and limited use of locker rooms and changing areas (generally 30-45 minutes before and following practices and games). This allows for direct and regular monitoring of locker room areas. While constant monitoring inside of locker rooms and changing areas might be the most effective way to prevent problems, we understand that this would likely make some players uncomfortable and may even place our staff at risk for unwarranted suspicion.
We conduct a sweep of the locker rooms and changing areas before players arrive, and if the coaches are not inside the locker rooms, either a coach or voluntary locker room monitor (each of which has been screened) will be posted directly outside of the locker rooms and changing areas during periods of use, and leave doors open only when adequate privacy is still possible, so that only participants (coaches and players), approved team personnel are permitted in the locker rooms. Team personnel will also secure the locker room appropriately during times when the team is on the ice.
PARENTS IN LOCKER ROOMS
Except for players at the younger age groups (8U and Initiation), parents who have not been screened by USA Hockey and cleared by the association, are not allowed in locker rooms.
Naturally, with our youngest age groups (8U and Initiation) it is necessary for parents to assist the players getting dressed. We encourage parents to teach their players as young as possible how to get dressed so that players will learn as early as possible how to get dressed independently. In circumstances where parents are permitted in the locker room, coaches are permitted to ask that the parents leave for a short time before the game and for a short time after the game so that the coaches may address the players.
MIXED GENDER TEAMS
Some of our teams consist of both male and female players. It is important that the privacy rights of all of our players are given consideration and appropriate arrangements made.
MINIMUM ATTIRE POLICY
In order to accommodate both female and male privacy rights in the locker rooms WHYHA has adopted a minimum attire policy at all times.
All players (and Coaches) are required to arrive at the rink dressed in their base layers or change in a separate area so that prior to entering the locker room they are wearing their hockey base layers or shorts and t-shirts (in good condition - no holes or tears in clothing). All members of the team must have this minimum attire before entering a co-ed locker room so that no player has the opportunity to see players of the opposite gender in a state of dress/undress.
CELL PHONES AND OTHER MOBILE RECORDING DEVICES
Cell phones and other mobile devices with recording capabilities, including voice recording, still cameras and video cameras, are not permitted to be used in the locker rooms.
The following "zero tolerance" steps will be followed if players are found to be in violation of the above policy:
1. If a player conceals his/her cell phone (i.e - does not surrender this to a coach upon entry to the locker room) and is found via social media posts, or otherwise, to have taken photos or video of the locker room, the first violation will be a 2 game suspension.
2. Second violation will be grounds for removal from the team based on IYHA Board review and decision.
If phones or other mobile devices must be used, they should be taken outside of the locker room.
PROHIBITED CONDUCT AND REPORTING
WHYHA prohibits all types of physical abuse, sexual abuse, emotional abuse, bullying, threats, harassment and hazing, all as described in the USA Hockey Safe Sport Handbook. Participants, employees or volunteers in WHYHA may be subject to disciplinary action for violation of these locker room policies or for engaging in any misconduct or abuse or that violates the USA Hockey Safe Sport Policies. Reports of any actual or suspected violations, you may email USA Hockey at SafeSport@usahockey.org or may call 1-800-888-4656.