VMHA Player Supervision Policy
This rule is intended to minimize the risk to coaches, volunteers, parents who spend time with the players. It is also to ensure that the players have a bully/racist/homophobic/sexist free environment that can further the goal of improving their hockey skills in a safe and fun way.
The basic concept of the rule is:
-That there must be two adults (in BC that’s defined as people 19 years and older) supervising* the players at ALL times.
To expand on the concept:
-Team Officials are responsible for coming to practices and games at the designated time (whether 15, 30, 45, 60 before the event) and ensure there are two adults supervising the dressing room (whether it be the team officials or parents)
-If a parent arrives early to an event, the parent must supervise their children until the designated people arrive at the event, minor hockey is not a drop-off service.
-If the designated people do not show up parents must continue to supervise their children or appoint two different people to supervise the dressing room.
-Team Officials may leave early or come late to events (as may happen, however it is not encouraged) provided they ensure the two deep rule is being followed at all times.
VMHA also respects coaches ability to manage their team, and their dressing room. If a coach decides that no parents are allowed in the dressing room then the coach must ensure that:
a) two coaches are always supervising the dressing room
b) No one is allowed in the dressing room until two coaches arrive
c) That there are occasions (traffic jam) when coaches are not able to be in the dressing room on time that two other adults may supervise the dressing room.
This rule also applies when a player is injured and goes to the dressing room during a game or practice, never be alone with a player unless you are their legal guardian. Ask a parent to join you (preferably the players parent).
Remember you do not have to be rostered on a team to be supervising the dressing room.
*Supervising is defined by VMHA as being within eyesight or within listening distance or being within arms reach of the dressing room door while there are players in the dressing room
