CCJHA 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 CCJHA’s goals. CCJHA adheres to USA Hockey’s SafeSport Program 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, CCJHA 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 Dee Stadium and Hancock City Arena, there are four (4) to five (5) locker rooms available for our program’s use. Each of the locker rooms either has its own restroom and shower area or shares a restroom and shower area with one or more locker rooms. Some teams in our program may also 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. CCJHA’s 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 planning for their child to dress, undress and shower if desired.

An approved adult serving as a Locker Room Monitor (as defined as: coach, assistant coach, manager, or locker room monitor; collectively, “LRM”) must have a current background check and SafeSport certification that is verified by the CCJHA Registrar/SafeSport Representative. These requirements must show as completed and currently active in the USA Hockey portal for verification.

CCJHA has predictable and limited use of locker rooms and changing areas (e.g., generally 30-45 minutes before and after practices and games). We conduct a sweep of the locker rooms and changing areas before players arrive. If no coach is inside the locker room, a designated LRM’s presence is required. Preferred locker room monitoring includes having two LRMs inside the locker room while players are occupying the locker room. However, when only one player is in the locker room, the LRMs should remain outside to avoid being alone with the player. We understand this could make some players uncomfortable or place our staff at risk for unwarranted suspicion. At a minimum, LRMs must be immediately outside the locker room (with the ability to hear inside) and frequently enter the locker room to monitor activity inside. LRMs must appropriately secure the locker room when players are on the ice. If a player goes to a locker room during practice or a game, and does not return in a timely fashion, then an LRM (or if possible two) should check on the player’s whereabouts. LRMs will verify that no unauthorized person(s) are in the locker room before players return to the locker room.

Parents or guardians may only enter the locker room in the presence of an appropriately credentialed LRM or are serving as a LRM. Except for players at the younger age groups (6U, 8U, and 10U), we discourage parents from entering locker rooms unless it is truly necessary. Younger age groups may need assistance in getting dressed. We encourage parents to teach their players how to get dressed at the earliest age possible so they can get ready independently. However, if a player does need assistance with their uniform or gear, is/becomes injured, or has a disability that requires assistance, we ask that parents let the coach know beforehand that he or she will be helping the player.

In circumstances where parents are permitted in the locker room, coaches are empowered to ask that parents leave for a short time before and after the game so while they address the players. As players get older, the coaches may in their discretion prohibit parents from a locker room. We ask that all parents/guardians comply with their requests.

Some of our teams consist of players of different genders. As such, it is important that all players have the right to privacy and appropriate arrangements made for all players. Where possible, CCJHA will have the male and female players dress/undress in separate locker rooms and then convene in a single locker room before the game or team meeting. Once the game or practice is finished, players may return to one locker room for a team meeting and then proceed to their separate locker rooms to undress and shower (if available). If separate locker rooms are not available, then the players will take turns using the locker room to change. 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 players.

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. Each coach will determine the best method for collecting and securing mobile devices.

CCJHA 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 CCJHA 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, you may email USA Hockey at SafeSport@usahockey.org or may call 1-800-888-4656.