LDGHA-Policy Regarding Males in The Dressing Room, News (London Devilettes)

First of all at the younger age groups where the kids need a little more help it is very important that players arrive a half an hour early to allow them to get dressed and skates tied for the coaches talk before the game, the male coach can only come in if all the girls are dressed and the bench mom is present, that is why it is important to show up early if possible. Tyke being the exception.

At the Tyke age, majority of kids come dressed or need help doing mostly everything, dads are allowed to come in and help the girls get dressed, once they are dressed they are to leave and the bench moms will make sure they stay in the rooms and are safe until they go on the ice, there should always be two adults (one minimum being a female, male as second adult only if girls are dressed) around children at any given time, this is something everyone learns in Speak Out.

Novice age we used to treat like Tyke, but in recent years have had some girls feel uncomfortable with males in the dressing rooms, so we don't want any fathers or brothers in the dressing rooms while the girls are getting dressed, once all girls are at the stage where their hockey pants are on or further dressed and it is okay with the bench/dressing room moms,   the dads can quickly come in tie the skates and exit when done, they are not to stay in the dressing room, bench moms will stay with them. Coaches are the only males in the dressing rooms  10 minutes before the game to allow for the pre-game talk

Atom and above, there will not be any males in the dressing rooms, once the girls are dressed and if they are there with a dad, they will take their skates just outside the dressing room door where their dad will tie their skates and then they will return to the dressing room. Very important that if the father knows his daughter will need their skates tied that they not wander far from the entrance to the dressing room door so the player does not wander far searching for her dad creating an unsafe enviroment. Male coaches will only enter dressing room, if the girls are dressed and there is a bench mom present.

At a younger age if the parents know they are going to be late because of scheduling, it would be a good idea if the kids come dressed and just put their skates on when they get to the arena so they don't disrupt the coaches talk before the game.

 

Female Adult Participation

All Devilette teams, both competitive and house league, will have at least one adult female (non-playing) as member of the coaching staff to participate in all games.
Her duties are:

1. To act as liaison between the girls in the dressing room and fathers or coaches.
2. To endeavor to be at or near the dressing room for all games and practices.
3. To endeavor to participate in all practice situations with the team.