![](https://crossbar.s3.amazonaws.com:443/organizations/1247/uploads/cd1a0b08-3c4b-4033-be78-352f3f87c021.jpg?versionId=uLs7r_1g_alcjn20.IAI6qHpv6PaIoMw)
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 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.
LOCKER ROOM Monitoring
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.
Parents in locker Rooms
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.
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. 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.