USPHL PLAYER SAFETY POLICIES

USPHL is committed to creating a safe and positive environment for its participant’s physical, emotional, and social development and to ensure that it promotes an environment free from abuse and misconduct.  As part of this commitment USPHL will be following the recommendations and guidelines defined in the MySport Program Handbook.  Any questions or concerns should be directed to USPHL’s Player Safety Coordinator.

USPHL’s Player Safety Policies are designed to address the following types of abuse and misconduct:

  • Sexual Abuse
  • Physical Abuse
  • Emotional Abuse
  • Bullying, Threats and Harassment
  • Hazing

Please refer to the MySport Program Handbook for additional information.  To reduce the risks of potential abuse and misconduct USPHL has implemented the following policies:

  • Locker Room Policy
  • Travel Policy
  • Social Media, Mobile and Electronic Communications Policy

In the event that any USPHL member observes any of the above described abuses and or misconducts it is the member’s personal responsibility to immediately report their observations to the USPHL’s Player Safety Coordinator.  In addition the member must also consider reporting suspected child physical or sexual abuse to appropriate law enforcement authorities.  USPHL has a ZERO TOLERANCE for abuse and misconduct.

Player Safety Coordinator
Bob Turow
safety@usphl.com

PLAYER SAFETY POLICIES

MIDGET & YOUTH TEAMS

Safesport Resources

SAFESPORT POLICIES

Zero Tolerance Policy

To ensure a safe and rewarding playing environment for all players and participants, the USPHL has instituted a Zero Tolerance Policy for inappropriate behavior by players, parents, coaches, referees and participating in or viewing a game.  This policy is designed to require all players, coaches, officials, team officials, administrators, spectators and parents to maintain a sportsmanlike and educational atmosphere before, during and after all USPHL events.

Players - A minor penalty for unsportsmanlike conduct (zero tolerance) shall be assessed whenever a player:

1. Openly disputes or argues any decision by an official.

2. Uses obscene or vulgar language at any time, including any swearing, even if it is not directed at a particular person.

3. Visually demonstrates any sign of dissatisfaction with an official’s decision. Any time that a player persists in any of these actions, they shall be assessed a misconduct penalty. A game misconduct shall result if the player continues such action.

Coaches  - A minor penalty for unsportsmanlike conduct (zero tolerance) shall be assessed whenever a coach:

1. Openly disputes or argues any decision by an official.

2. Uses obscene or vulgar language in a boisterous manner to anyone at any time.

3. Visually displays any sign of dissatisfaction with an official’s decision including standing on the boards or standing in the bench doorway with the intent of inciting the officials, players or spectators.

4. Any time that a coach persists in any of these actions, he/she shall be assessed a game misconduct penalty.

Officials - Officials are required to conduct themselves in a businesslike, sportsmanlike, impartial and constructive manner at all times. The actions of an official must be above reproach. Actions such as “baiting” or inciting players or coaches are strictly prohibited.

Parents/Spectators - The game will be stopped by game officials when parents/spectators displaying inappropriate and disruptive behavior interfere with other spectators or the game. The game officials will identify violators to the coaches for the purpose of removing parents/spectators from the spectator’s viewing and game area. Once removed, play will resume. Lost time will not be replaced and violators may be subject to further disciplinary action by the local governing body. This inappropriate and disruptive behavior shall include:

1. Use of obscene or vulgar language in a boisterous manner to anyone at any time.

2. Taunting of players, coaches, officials or other spectators by means of baiting, ridiculing, threat of physical violence or physical violence.

3. Throwing of any object in the spectators viewing area, players bench, penalty box or on ice surface, directed in any manner as to create a safety hazard.

Zero-Tolerance- Alcohol, Drugs and Controlled Substances Policy

The USPHL is concerned with the health, safety and well-being of our player(s), parents and coaches who participate in activities and represent the USPHL. The use of illegal drugs of any kind, misuse of legal drugs and/or dietary supplements, use of performance-enhancing substances, and/or use of alcohol are inconsistent with the standards put forth by HHHA.

USPHL Member Policy: The USPHL is a drug free environment and its representatives will enforce a zero tolerance policy for the use of alcohol, drugs and/or controlled substances. Participating in any practice, workout, game, function or event under the influence of drugs (illegal or legal), alcoholic beverages, intoxicant or narcotic substances is strictly prohibited and may be subject to disciplinary action. Any player, coach or team representative found using, possessing, buying or receiving illegal drugs, performance-enhancing substances, controlled substances and/or alcohol in the locker rooms, parking lots or other locations during a USPHL event is strictly forbidden and is in violation of this policy and is subject to penalties and expulsion from further participation with the USPHL.

Adult Alcohol Guidelines: In addition to the zero tolerance policy in regards to minors, the USPHL realizes there are certain situations when the responsible use of alcohol by adults is acceptable assuming the implementation of responsible parameters.

1. Alcohol is not appropriate in dressing rooms or in public, non-licensed areas.

2. Use of alcohol during team dinners, team events or hotel stays should be done in a responsible manner.

3. Consumption in buses, cars or vans while traveling to and from team events is strictly prohibited.

4. Entering the arena while intoxicated or under the influence of illegal drugs or controlled substances in prohibited.

USPHL's 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 USPHL goals.  USPHL 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, USPHL 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.

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.    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

USPHL 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 monitors (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, 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 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.

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

USPHL 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 USPHL 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 the USPHL Safe Sport Coordinator johnp@usphl.com

SOCIAL MEDIA, MOBILE AND ELECTRONIC COMMUNICATIONS POLICY

As part of USA Hockey’s emphasis on participant safety, communications involving our minor participants should be appropriate, productive, and transparent. Effective communication concerning travel, practice or game schedules, and administrative issues among coaches, administrators, players and their families is critical. However, the use of mobile devices, web-based applications, social media, and other forms of electronic communications increases the possibility for improprieties and misunderstandings and also provides potential offenders with unsupervised and potentially inappropriate access to participants. The improper use of mobile and electronic communications can result in misconduct. Adherence to the Social Media, Mobile and Electronic Communications Policy helps reduce these risks. All electronic communication between coach and player must be for the purpose of communicating information about team activities. Coaches, players and all team personel must follow common sense guidelines regarding the volume and time of day of any allowed electronic communication. All content between coaches and players should be readily available to share with the public or families of the player or coach. If the player is under the age of 18, any email, text, social media, or similar communication must also copy or include the player’s parents.

Social Media

Social media makes it easy to share ideas and experiences. USA Hockey recognizes, however, that social media, mobile and other electronic communications can be especially concerning where minor participants are involved. Coaches are prohibited from having players joined to their personal Facebook page or any other similar social media application. To facilitate communication, an official organization or team page may be set up and players and parents may join (i.e., “friend”) the official organization or team page and coaches can communicate to players though the site. All electronic communication of any kind between coach and player, including use of social media, must be non-personal in nature and be for the purpose of communicating information about team activities or for team oriented motivational purposes.

Email, Text Messaging and Similar Electronic Communications

Coaches, team managers and players may use email and text messaging to communicate. All email and text message content between coaches/team managers and players must be non-personal in nature and be for the purpose of communicating information about team activities. Emails and text messages from a coach to any minor participant must include a copy to parents. Where possible, a coach should be provided and use the organization web site email center (the coach’s return email address will contain “@organization.com”) for all communications with the team and players.

Request To Discontinue All Electronic Communications or Imagery with Athlete

Following receipt of a written request by the parents of a minor player that their child not be contacted by any form of electronic communication by coaches or other adults, the local program, team, coaches and administrators shall immediately comply with such request without any repercussions for such request.

Abuse and Misconduct

Social media and other means of electronic communication can be used to commit abuse and misconduct (e.g., emotional, sexual, bullying, harassment, and hazing). Such communications by any employee, volunteer, independent contractor or other participant of a USA Hockey Member Program will not be tolerated and are considered violations of USA Hockey’s SafeSport Program.

Reporting

Infractions of Mobile and Electronic Communications Policy should be reported to safety@usphl.com