WYH 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 Waltham Youth Hockey’s goals. Waltham Youth Hockey 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, Waltham Youth Hockey has adopted the following locker room policy. This policy is designed to reduce the risk of misconduct in locker rooms.
Locker Room Monitoring
Waltham Youth Hockey requires direct and regular monitoring of locker room areas. Prior to and at the end of practices and games, Waltham Youth Hockey requires an adult presence in the locker room. The head coach, assistant coach, or screened parent volunteer must be present in the locker room before practices and games and accompany the team into the locker room at the end of practices and games.
Parents in Locker Rooms
Except for players at the younger age groups [Mites and Squirts] 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.
Co-ed Locker Rooms
The Co-ed Locker Room policy attempts to balance the social integration and camaraderie of a team sport while providing a safe and respectful environment for all of our participants.
All players should be 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 for use in the locker rooms. Parents should instruct and coaches will remind players to POWER OFF cell phones before entering the locker room. If phones or other mobile devices must be used, they should be used in public areas or outside the rink. A violation of the cell phone policy may result in disciplinary action by the board which may include suspension from hockey activities.
Prohibited Conduct and Reporting
Waltham Youth Hockey 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 Waltham Youth Hockey’s 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.
To report any actual or suspected violations, you may email Shawn Keefe at shawnkeefe@walthamyouthhockey.org or Lisa Marie Wise at lisamariewise@walthamyouthhockey.org