Locker Room Policy

MOHAWKS HOCKEY CLUB LOCKER ROOM POLICY

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 to be used in the locker rooms. If phones or other mobile devices must be used, they should be taken outside of the locker room. [it may be advisable to have the team manager collect phones]. 

Prohibited Conduct and Reporting

Mohawks Hockey Club prohibits all types of physical abuse (locker boxing), sexual abuse, emotional abuse, bullying, threats, harassment and hazing, explicit music all as described in the USA Hockey SafeSport Handbook.

Participants, employees or volunteers in the Mohawks Hockey Club may be subject to disciplinary action for violation of these locker room policies or for engaging in any misconduct or abuse that violates the USA Hockey SafeSport Policies. Reports of any actual or suspected violations, you may email USA Hockey at

SafeSport@usahockey.org or may call 1-800-888-4656.

MHC also prohibits vandalism, damage and destruction of property which should be reported through the chain of command and may be subject to review by the Rules & Ethics Committee.  

Supervision

There must be a NCSI background screened and Safe Sport trained locker room monitor present IN the locker room, at all times. The adult(s) providing the supervision must also be the same gender as the participants. No players shall be allowed access to the locker room unless a NCSI background screened and Safe Sport trained locker room monitor is present in the locker room. If a single player is present, the locker room should be monitored by at least two adults until additional players arrive. If there is only one adult present, whether a coach or volunteer parent, they should wait for multiple players to arrive before allowing access to the locker room.

The same strategies should be applied after practice with a monitor staying until the last player leaves, and at no time should one adult be alone in the locker room with one player, unless the player is their own child. This policy applies to all minor USA Hockey Participants up through the youth 18U level and through girls 19U level. This requirement extends to the girls locker room for teams that have both male and female

players.

Female Lockers

Use of the girls locker room presents unique issues such as female players dressing alone (vulnerable to third parties entering the locker room) or dressing/undressing with players from the other team, so proper supervision is essential. Although the desire to allow players to bond is an incentive to leave players unsupervised in a locker room, the risk of abuse, bullying and injury from horseplay far outweigh any benefits that may come from leaving players unsupervised. It is suggested to have female SafeSport trained adult present. 

Meetings

If any individual meeting between a minor participant and a coach should take place in the locker room, it shall require another NCSI background screened and Safe Sport trained adult. It is the responsibility of the coach and manager of each team to ensure that supervision by a screened and Safe Sport trained adult is provided in each locker room. Under no circumstances shall a convicted sex offender be permitted access or entry to any locker room for any purpose. As used in this policy, getting “dressed” or “undressed” includes putting on or taking off clothing and/or hockey equipment.

Presence of Parents and Siblings in Locker Room

With respect to the presence of parents and siblings in locker rooms, the Mohawks have the following policy:

A. Mites.

Parents may be present in the locker room to assist their child with getting dressed and undressed. Parents may not enter the locker room after a game until the coach has completed his/her post game meeting.

B. Squirts/Girls 10U. 

The coach will decide whether parents will be allowed in the locker room. If parents are allowed in the locker room they should only be present when needed to assist their child with getting dressed/undressed and then should exit the locker room. Parents may not enter the locker room after a game until the coach has completed his/her post game meeting. At least one NCSI background screened and Safesport trained adult must also be present.

C. All levels above Squirts/Girls 10U. 

Except in cases of an emergency, parents are not allowed in the locker room. Where parents are allowed in the locker room, they should use common sense as it relates to bringing other children or third parties into the locker room. Cramped quarters as well as the fact that all of the players must get dressed and undressed in the locker room should be taken into account when deciding whether to bring a non-playing child or other third party into the locker room. For example, it is not appropriate for a 12 year old girl to accompany her parent into a boys squirt locker room as that may make other players getting dressed/undressed uncomfortable, space in locker rooms is typically tight and the 12 year old is old enough to wait for her parent and sibling outside the locker room. Common sense and respect for other players on the team should be guiding principles in deciding who should enter the locker room.

Mixed Gender Players on Same Team. 

For teams that have both male and female players on the same team, for Squirts and above, the Mohawks have the following policy:

A. Where Separate Locker Rooms are Available. Male and female players are required to dress/undress in separate locker rooms and then may convene in a single dressing room to hold the coach’s pre-game meeting. Once the game is finished, all players can meet in the locker room for the coach’s post game meeting. After the meeting the male and female players should proceed to their separate dressing rooms to undress and shower. Practices should follow the same process. Note that although this policy treats equipment and clothing the same, removal of skates and some upper body equipment such as helmets, neck guards and shoulder pads, where appropriate undergarments are worn, during the post game meeting to allow players to cool down will not be deemed a violation of this policy.

B. Where Separate Locker Rooms are not available. In those cases where separate facilities are not available, have one gender enter the locker room and change into their uniforms. That gender would then leave the locker room, while the other gender enters the locker room and gets dressed. Both genders would then assemble in the locker room and hold the coach’s pre-game meeting. Following the game and the coach’s post game meeting, where separate facilities are not available, the second gender group enters the locker room and undresses/showers, while the first group waits outside until they have undressed/shower and left the room. Once the second group leaves, the first group enters the locker room and undresses/showers. This should be done on a rotating basis (taking turns) so neither gender is always “last” to dress/undress and shower. Taking turns is a means of ‘reasonable accommodation’ so neither gender group is favored. Practices should follow the same process.

Practices. 

The Kube provides 4 locker rooms and a designated Female locker room for Mohawks players. It is prohibited for players to dress in the lobby, common areas or any other non-locker room areas within the Kube. Players are assigned locker rooms by level and team. Locker rooms are designed for changing purposes and loitering within the locker rooms should be avoided. Equipment malfunctions and adjustments may be provided outside of the locker room. However, all player bags with equipment should be stored in the locker room, the majority of dressing should occur within the locker rooms. Young players requiring assistance with tying skates may be completed on the benches.