Locker Room Policy
In addition to the developing our player’s love of hockey and individual and team skills, the safety and protection of our participants is central to RAHA’s goals. RAHA adheres to USA Hockey’s SafeSport Program as a means to help protect its participants from physical abuse, sexual abuse and other types of misconduct, including emotional abuse, bullying, threats, harassment and hazing. To help prevent abuse or misconduct from occurring in our locker rooms, RAHA has adopted the following locker room policy. This policy is also designed to help maintain personal privacy.
At the Winter Garden Ice Arena, there are 4 locker rooms available for our program’s use. Teams in our program will also regularly travel to play games at other arenas where locker rooms and facilities will vary from location to location. At arenas for which you are unfamiliar, parents should plan to have extra time and some flexibility in making arrangements for their child to dress, undress and shower if desired.
Locker Room Monitoring
RAHA has predictable use of locker rooms and changing areas (generally 30-45 minutes before and following practices and games). This allows for regular monitoring of locker room areas. While constant monitoring inside of locker rooms 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.
Team supervisors will conduct a sweep of the locker rooms and changing areas before players arrive, and if the coaches are not inside the locker rooms, either an assistant coach or voluntary locker room monitors (each of which has been screened) will be posted outside of the locker rooms during periods of use. Doors will be left open only when adequate privacy is still possible, so that only participants (coaches and players), approved team personnel and family members are permitted in the locker room.
Parents in Locker Rooms
Except for players at the younger age groups (Mites), we discourage parents from entering locker rooms unless it is truly necessary. If a player needs assistance with his or her uniform or gear, if the player is or may be injured, or a player’s disability warrants assistance, then we ask that parents let the coach know beforehand that he or she will be helping the player. Naturally, with our youngest age groups it is necessary for parents to assist the players getting dressed. We encourage parents to teach their players how to get dressed independently as early as possible.
In circumstances where parents are permitted in the locker room, coaches are permitted to ask that the parents leave for a short time before and after the game so that they may address the players. As players get older, the coach may in his or her discretion prohibit parents from a locker room.
Mixed Gender Teams
Some teams consist of both male and female players. It is important that the privacy rights of all players are given consideration and appropriate arrangements made. All players are required to arrive at the rink wearing their hockey base layers or shorts and t-shirts (in good condition - no holes or tears in clothing) under their street clothes. All members of the team must have this minimum attire before entering a co-ed locker room so that no player of one gender 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. If phones or other mobile devices must be used, they should be taken outside of the locker room.
Prohibited Conduct and Reporting
RAHA prohibits all types of physical abuse, sexual abuse, emotional abuse, bullying, threats, harassment and hazing, all as described in the USA Hockey SafeSport Handbook. Participants, employees or volunteers in RAHA 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 SafeSport Policies.
Reports of any actual or suspected violations, you may email USA Hockey at SafeSport@usahockey.org or may call 1-800-888-4656.