Locker Room Policy

At Wilmington Seahawks Hockey Association Inc. (WSHA), we are committed to fostering a positive, respectful, safe and development-focused environment for all players, families, coaches, and staff.  WSHA 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, WSHA has adopted the following Locker Room Policy. This policy is designed to maintain personal privacy as well as reduce the risk of misconduct in locker rooms. 

Availability of Facilities

At Polar Ice Wilmington there are 4 locker rooms available for our program’s use.  Our teams also travel regularly to play games at other rinks, and their locker rooms, rest rooms and shower facilities will vary from location to location.  WSHA team organizers will attempt to provide information on the locker room facilities in advance of games away from our home rink.  At locations for which you are unfamiliar, parents/guardians 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

WSHA 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/Guardians in Locker Rooms

Except for players at the younger age groups, we discourage parents/guardians 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/guardians 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/guardians to assist the players with getting dressed.  We encourage parents/guardians to teach their players as young as possible how to get dressed independently.  If your player does need assistance, please help them in a common area outside of the locker room. In circumstances where parents/guardians are permitted in the locker room, coaches are permitted to ask that parents/guardians 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/guardians from a 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 are made.  Where possible, WSHA 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 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.

Cell Phone 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.  Phones must remain in players' bags or designated phone drop areas during practices, games, and team meetings. If phones or other mobile devices must be used, they should be taken outside of the locker room. 

Prohibited Conduct and Reporting

WSHA prohibits all types of physical abuse, sexual abuse, emotional abuse, bullying, threats, harassment and hazing, all as described in the USA Hockey SafeSport Handbook.  Players, coaches, parents/guardians, staff, or volunteers in WSHA may be subject to disciplinary action for violations of this Locker Room Policy or for engaging in any misconduct or abuse that violates the USA Hockey SafeSports policies.  Reports of any actual or suspected violations may be reported in accordance with WSHA’s Incident Reporting & Investigation Policy using our Incident Reporting Form at this link, by emailing , emailed to  USA Hockey at SafeSport@usahockey.org or reported by calling 1-800-888-4656.

Together, we can create a community that celebrates the joy of hockey, a place to learn valuable life skills, and an environment where players feel encouraged, respected, and inspired to grow as athletes and individuals. Let’s work together to make every moment on and off the ice a memorable one for our young athletes.