Locker Room Policy
Allston Brighton Youth Hockey’s 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 Allston Brighton Youth Hockey’s goals. Allston Brighton 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, Allston Brighton Youth Hockey has adopted the following locker room policy based on USA Hockey and SafeSport Guidelines. This policy is designed to reduce the risk of misconduct in locker rooms.
Locker Room Minimum attire requirement.
Allston Brighton Youth Hockey has a minimum attire requirement in all locker rooms. All players entering a locker room must have their hockey base layers on or change in a private area, if available, in the locker room such as an attached bathroom. Given the environment at rinks and the frequency with which the locker room door may open at any moment by someone looking for another team, players should have no expectation of privacy in the locker room.
Locker Room Monitoring
Allston Brighton Youth Hockey requires direct and regular monitoring of locker room areas. Prior to and at the end of practices and games, Allston Brighton 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 /U8and Squirts/U10] we discourage parents from entering locker rooms unless it is truly necessary. If a player needs assistance with their 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.
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 or in the vicinity of the locker room. Exceptions to this policy include: 1. Using a cell phone to play music paired with an external speaker. In this case, once the playlist has started, the phone must be stored in a zipped bag. 2. Taking video or photos during team celebrations of a big win and/or Player of the Game are permitted assuming everyone is still dressed and the videos or photos are not posted on social media. 3. Cell phones may always be used in the event of an emergency to call 911 or other emergency services. 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 outside of the exceptions above, 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. The Cell Phones and Other Mobile Recording Devices shall apply to all who enter any locker room or are in the vicinity.
Prohibited Conduct and Reporting
Allston Brighton 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 Allston Brighton 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.