To make a report to USA Hockey, you may do so either by: (1) clicking on “Report to USA Hockey” and completing the Reporting Form, (2) emailing to
, or (3) calling 800-888-4656.
AHA Hockey SafeSport Policies
PROTECTION of PARTICIPANTS
A. Intent: The intent of these rules is to reduce the risk of injury to Association participants while adhering to USA and Massachusetts Hockey guidelines.
B. Screening Policy: It is the policy of USA Hockey and the Association to reduce the risk to participants through a screening process of all coaches and other volunteers.
1. Association personnel must consent to a Criminal Offender Record Inquiry (CORI).
2. The screening process, carried out in accordance with USA and Massachusetts Hockey guidelines.
3. If screening reveals a person does not meet USA and Massachusetts Hockey guidelines, they cannot participate in an Association appointed position.
4. Any individual who does not consent to the application of these rules cannot participate in Amherst Hockey.
C. Physical and Sexual Abuse Policy: It is the policy of USA Hockey and this Association that there shall be no physical abuse of any participant. The Operations Committee will investigate any alleged incident of physical or sexual abuse or substance abuse.
1. Physical abuse means physical contact with a participant that intentionally causes the participant to sustain bodily harm or personal injury. Physical abuse also includes physical contact that intentionally creates the threat of immediate bodily harm or personal injury.
2. Physical abuse does not include physical contact that is designed to coach, teach, or demonstrate a hockey skill. Permitted physical contact may include, but is not limited to, shooting pucks, demonstrating checking or other hockey skills, and communicating with or directing participants, during the course of a game or practice, by touching them in a nonthreatening, non-sexual manner.
3. Sexual abuse as defined by USA Hockey. It is the policy of USA Hockey and the Association that there shall be no sexual abuse of any participants in its programs. Neither consent of the skater to the sexual contact, mistakes as to the participant’s age, nor the fact that the contact did not take place at a hockey function are defenses to a complaint of sexual abuse. 4. Upon proof of violation of this policy, the person responsible for the action will be permanently banned from all AHA programs.
D. Substance Abuse Policy: All Association members shall report any incidents of substance abuse to the Association President immediately for action to be taken by the Operations Committee. During the season of practice or play, a skater shall not, regardless of quantity, consume or use, possess, buy, sell, or give away alcoholic beverage, marijuana, or any other controlled substance.
1. The First violation will result in a 4-week suspension.
2. Second violation will result in a minimum 12-week suspension.
3. Third offense will result in a ban from the Association.
4. A request in writing, submitted to the Board of Directors needed to appeal all suspensions pursuant to this section.
E. 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 AHA’s goals. AHA 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 from occurring in our locker rooms, AHA 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 the locker rooms.
- At Mullins Center there are 4 locker rooms available for our program’s use. Each of the locker rooms has its own restroom and shower area.
- At Fitzpatrick there are 4 locker rooms available for our program’s use. They all share a restroom and shower area.
- At Collins-Moylin there are 4 locker rooms available for our program’s use. They all share a restroom and shower area.
- At Amherst College there are 2 locker rooms available for our program’s use. They share a restroom.
Some teams in our association may also occasionally and regularly travel to play games at other arenas, and those locker rooms, restrooms, and shower facilities will vary from location to location. AHA 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, and shower (if desired).
Locker Room Monitoring
AHA 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. 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 at the younger age groups, LTS-Mites, we discourage parents from entering the locker room 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 the 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 games so that the coaches may address the players. As players get older, the coach may in his or her discretion prohibit parents from the 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. Where possible, AHA 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 believe that this is the most reasonable way to accommodate and respect all of our players.
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 permissible to have team manager collect phones.
Prohibited Conduct and Reporting
AHA prohibits all types of physical abuse, sexual abuse, emotional abuse, bullying, threat, harassment and hazing, all as described in the USA Hockey SafeSport Handbook. Participants, employees, or volunteers in AHA 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.
F. Association fees are not refundable for any suspensions under these guidelines.
G. Any Association rule does not preclude the Association from notification of authorities or pursuant of any applicable penalties provided under the law.
Please contact AHA SafeSport Coordinator, Greta Biagi at
with any questions.
