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 are central to Northwest Florida Hockey League/Pensacola Junior Ice Flyers goals. Northwest Florida Hockey League/Pensacola Junior Ice Flyers 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, Northwest Florida Hockey League/Pensacola Junior Ice Flyers 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. 

At the Pensacola Bay Center, there are 2 each Gender Specific locker rooms available for our program’s use. Each of the locker rooms has its own restroom and shower area. Some 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. Northwest Florida Hockey League/Pensacola Junior Ice Flyers 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 

Northwest Florida Hockey League/Pensacola Junior Ice Flyers 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 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. If the coaches are not inside the locker rooms, then no players will be allowed to stay in the locker room until a coach has arrived. We will have a voluntary locker room monitor (each of which has been screened) that will be posted directly outside of the locker room entrance 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), and approved team personnel is permitted in the locker room area. 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 in the younger age groups [8U and younger], we prohibit parents from entering locker rooms. If a player needs assistance with his or her uniform or gear, if the player is or may be injured, or if a player’s disability warrants assistance, then we ask that parents let the coach know beforehand that he or she will need assistance from the coaching staff. Parents will not be allowed in or near the Zamboni area during practices for safety reasons outlined by the Bay Center in our Contract. 

Naturally, with our youngest age groups, it is necessary for parents to assist the players in 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/practice and for a short time after the game/practice so that the coaches may address the players. As players get older, the coach may at his or her discretion prohibit parents 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 made. Where possible, Northwest Florida Hockey League/Pensacola Junior Ice Flyers 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 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 (including the tunnel hallway at the Pensacola Bay Center). If phones or other mobile devices must be used, they should be taken outside of the locker room (including the tunnel hallway at the Pensacola Bay Center). 

Prohibited Conduct and Reporting 

Northwest Florida Hockey League/Pensacola Junior Ice Flyers 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 Northwest Florida Hockey League/Pensacola Jr Ice Flyers 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. For reports of any actual or suspected violations, you may email Board@jriceflyers.com with any concerns.