Policy - Locker Room Usage

Youth players in every age division must change in a designated locker room. No changing is permitted in any other part of the Arena, including the lobby or along the bleachers.

At Bird Arena, there are six (6) locker rooms available for our program’s use. Players must use their designated locker room and follow the facility rules. Each of the locker rooms has its own restroom (and shower area) or shares a restroom (and shower area) with one or more adjacent locker rooms. 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. AYHA’s 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. 

Except for players at the younger age groups (8U, 10U, 12U), 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.

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. As Bird Ice Arena has a locker room designated for female players, the AYHA 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 , if available, shower. If separate locker rooms are not available for any reason, 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. 

Shower and restroom facilities in the locker room are for participant use only. Participants are required to use such facilities in a safe and responsible manner. Participants should only use these facilities when it is safe and appropriate to do so. If it is not appropriate for participants to use such facilities, they are responsible for waiting until it's appropriate to use such facilities. Use of such facilities should be in accordance with the USA Hockey SafeSport Handbook.  

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 must be taken outside of the locker room. Designated Locker Room Monitors are permitted to instruct anyone attempting to use such devices to go outside of the locker room or stop using the device.

Updated July 14, 2024.