In addition to the development of our hockey players and the enjoyment of the sport of hockey, the safety and protection of our players is our main priority. This sentiment is shared with the David McCarthy Memorial Ice Arena.
All locker rooms during practices and games will be supervised by a coach, team manager or a voluntary locker room monitor. NO players(s) will be allowed unless one of those adults is present. There is to never be anyone in the locker room alone. If there is only one child in the locker room the coach or monitor will need to be accompanied by another adult.
Locker rooms will be locked when vacant, and only a coach or team manager is allowed to assign the key out. Keys are located at the snack shop and can be signed out with a credit card, license, or car keys. When the game or practice is finished the coach or manager should be the last to leave and go through the locker rooms to make sure there is no garbage on the floor and there is no damage in the locker room. The coach may then return the key to the snack shop, and the Rink Attendant will check out the room, if everything checks out, the deposit item is returned. Coaches are ultimately responsible for their team's behavior.
For Squirt level teams and higher: ONLY Coaches and Managers with SafeSport Certifications are allowed in the locker rooms. Please arrive with enough time for your player to get dressed in the locker rooms. For younger teams, coaches and managers can assist with getting skates tied. If your player is not yet comfortable getting geared up alone, practice getting dressed at home. This is a USA Hockey and SafeSport requirement. Again, this is for Squirt level teams and higher.
Players are not to get dressed and undressed in the warming room. The warming room is not a secure location; GAHA nor the McCarthy Ice Arena has any control over who is in the warming room and using their cell phones. Again, the coaches and managers will be in the locker rooms and can help as needed.
The locker room policy is in place for the safety of the players and the preservation of the work being done at the ice rink. The staff is implementing this policy at our request. Please do not berate, belittle or show aggressive behaviors to the rink staff as they enforce the locker room policy.
Coaches and managers, please be aware of the topics being discussed and the language being used in the locker rooms. We understand that sometimes it happens but, specifically in the younger team locker rooms, please avoid foul language and inappropriate topics.
