Locker Room Policy

River Valley Hockey Association (RVHA) 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 RVHA’s goals. RVHA 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, RVHA 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.

At RVHA’s rink there are 4 locker rooms available for our program’s use. The locker rooms do not include rest rooms or shower facilities. Rest rooms are outdoor portable toilets. RVHA routinely used other area rinks for indoor practice facilities. Amery rink has 4 locker rooms available for our use. Rest rooms and showers are separate rooms. Somerset rink has 5 locker rooms available for our use. Some of those rooms have attached rest rooms and showers. RVHA teams will occasionally or regularly travel to play games at other arenas, and those locker rooms, rest rooms and shower facilities will vary from location to location. RVHA team organizers will attempt to provide information on the locker room facilities in advance of games away from our home arena. 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 if desired. The use of facility showers is prohibited by RVHA without prior approval by team management.

Locker Room Monitoring

RVHA 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. Monitoring inside of locker rooms and changing areas are the most effective way to prevent problems. Monitoring of these areas is the responsibility of team management (screened coaches and/or managers). We understand that this monitoring may make some players uncomfortable. In this case it is the parent’s responsibility to make alternate arrangements for their child to dress and undress if desired. To avoid unwarranted suspicion of monitors, RVHA does not allow monitors in locker rooms and changing areas, except in special cases (such as injury) or emergency unless another adult is present or 2 or more players are present.

Players are not allowed to be alone in locker rooms and changing areas unless a sweep of these rooms has been conducted and a screened adult is posted directly outside of the room, so that only participants (coaches and players), approved team personnel and approved family members are permitted in the locker room. When possible, 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 (U10), 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/practice and for a short time after the game/practice 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. All players may be dressing and undressing equipment/uniform in the same room together. All players are required to have appropriate clothing on at all times. In cases where this is not possible, player(s) will be required to find an appropriate area to dress/undress separate from others or if separate locker rooms are not available, then the players will take turns using the locker room to change. Team management is responsible for coordinating these types of situations. We understand that these arrangements may require that players arrive earlier or leave later to dress, but believe that this is the most reasonable way to accommodate and respect all of our players.

Cell Phones and Other Recording Devices

Except for special circumstances (team pictures, emergency, etc.) and in direct supervision of team management, cell phones and other devices with recording capabilities, including voice recording, still cameras and video cameras, are not permitted to be used in the locker rooms/changing areas and must be powered down prior to entering room. If phones or other mobile devices must be used, they should be taken outside of the locker room. Players’ devices may be collected by team management as necessary.

Prohibited Conduct and Reporting

RVHA 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 RVHA 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 shall be made as necessary to a RVHA Board of Directors member, local authorities, or you may email USA Hockey at SafeSport@usahockey.org or may call 1-800-888-4656