LOCKER ROOM POLICY

In addition to the development of our hockey players and enjoyment of the sport, the safety and protection of our participants is central to the Wilmington Nighthawks’ goals.  The Wilmington Nighthawks adhere 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, Wilmington Nighthawks has adopted the following locker room policy.  This policy is designed to maintain personal privacy and reduce the risk of misconduct in locker rooms. ​Most Mites home games are played at Ice Works (3100 Duttons Mill Rd, Aston, PA 19014).  At Ice Works, there are four separate rinks, each with at least one locker room available for our program’s use.  Each locker room has its own restroom [and shower area]. ​Most Squirt, Middle School and High School home games are played at the Skating Club of Wilmington (1301 Carruthers Ln, Wilmington, DE 19803).  At the Skating Club of Wilmington, there is at least one locker room available for our program’s use.  Each locker room 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.  Wilmington Nighthawks’ team organizers will attempt to provide information on the locker room facilities before 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, and shower if desired.​

 

LOCKER ROOM MONITORING​

Wilmington Nighthawks have 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.  While constant monitoring inside of locker rooms and changing areas might be the most effective way to prevent problems, we understand that this would likely make some players uncomfortable and may even place our staff at risk for unwarranted suspicion. ​We conduct a sweep of the locker rooms and changing areas before players arrive, and if the coaches are not inside the locker rooms, either a coach or voluntary locker room monitor (each of which has been screened) will be posted directly outside of the locker rooms and changing areas during periods of use, and leave the doors open only when adequate privacy is still possible, so that only participants (coaches and players), approved team personnel and family members are permitted in the locker room.  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 in the younger age groups, 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, 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 in 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 age, the coach may, in his or her discretion, prohibit parents from a locker room.  ​

 

CELL PHONES, CAMERA, AND OTHER MOBILE RECORDING DEVICES​

Cell phones and other mobile devices with recording capabilities, including voice recording and video cameras, are not permitted to be used in the locker rooms.  Any pictures have to be taken outside. The reason for this is to prevent any accidental pictures of any half-dressed players in the background that could result in embarrassment.  If phones or other mobile devices must be used, they should be taken outside the locker room.  It may be permissible to have the team manager collect phones.​

 

PROHIBITED CONDUCT AND REPORTING

Wilmington Nighthawks 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 of the Wilmington Nighthawks may be subject to disciplinary action for violating 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 may be sent to your team manager or coach or to the Wilmington Nighthawks at WilmNighthawks@gmail.com.  You may also email USA Hockey at SafeSport@USAHockey.com or call 1-800-888-4656.​

 

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.

 

 ​CO-ED LOCKER ROOMS (OPTION 1)

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. Where possible, Wilmington Nighthawks 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, the players may come to one locker room for a team meeting and then the male and female players 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 we believe that this is the most reasonable way to accommodate and respect all of our players. ​

 

CO-ED LOCKER ROOMS (OPTION 2)

All players are 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.​Please note that with Co-ed programs, it is important that the person(s) monitoring the locker room is of the same gender as the players being monitored.  USA Hockey would consider it acceptable to have one (1) locker room monitor immediately outside the locker room and regularly check in on the locker room.  If there are two (2) monitors, then they can monitor from inside the locker room.  Having only one person inside a locker room can expose that person to allegations, so a second person can help protect one another from allegations.