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 OYHA goals. OYHA 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, OYHA has adopted the following locker room policy.

This policy is designed to maintain personal privacy as well as to reduce the risk of misconduct in locker

rooms.

OYHA has predictable and limited use of locker rooms and changing areas (e.g., 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 or volunteer locker room monitors are not

inside the locker rooms, (each of which has been screened) the players are NOT allowed to enter. Team

consequences will be enforced, along with possible coach suspension/termination.

Except for players at the younger age groups Mites/Mini 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 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. As players get older, the coach may in

his or her discretion prohibit parents from a locker room.

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. Where possible, OYHA will

have the male and female players dress/undress in rest rooms and then convene in a single locker room

before the game or team meeting. Once the game or practice is finished, the players may come to one

locker room for a team meeting and then the male and female players proceed to the rest rooms to

undress. An alternative to this arrangement would be to have all players come to the rink in appropriate

attire that requires no undressing. The coach in his or her discretion will notify you of their policy.