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 the Palmyra Black Knight’s (PBK) goals. PBK 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, PBK 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.

Our home ice facility, “Klick Lewis Arena” has numerous locker rooms available for our program’s use. Each locker room shares a restroom and shower area with one other locker room. They also have a single room dedicated to female players only. Some teams in our program regularly travel to play games at other arenas, and those locker rooms, rest rooms and shower facilities will vary from location to location.

Locker Room Monitoring

PBK has predictable and limited use of locker rooms and changing areas (e.g. generally 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.

When possible, locker rooms and changing areas should be reviewed by either a coach of voluntary locker room monitor before players arrive, and if the coaches are not inside the locker rooms, either a coach or voluntary locker room monitors (each of which has been screened) will monitor 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 monitor or 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, 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, 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 to 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.

Mixed Gender Teams

Some of our teams may 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, PBK 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

It is PBK policy that there will be neither audio nor video recording or photography permitted in any locker room under any circumstance. Players and/or coaches may have access to cellular telephones but the use of said phones is limited to areas outside locker rooms only. Players and/or coaches may also use electronic equipment to play music or review video footage of game/practice plays. No other use of electronics in the locker room is permitted.

The use of electronic devices in the approved manner listed above is a privilege and not a right. Any allegations of recording or photography must be reported to the Director of Member Safety immediately. Confirmed issues will result in the team loosing their privilege and all electronics banned from the locker room for the remainder of the season. Furthermore, any allegation that involves the recording or photography of players dressing or undressing will be immediately reported to the appropriate law enforcement agency with jurisdiction of the locker room where the alleged incident occurred.

Prohibited Conduct and Reporting

PBK 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 PBK 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. All members are encouraged to report allegations of misconduct to their team manager who will then forward to the Director of Member Safety for investigation.