The safety of our participants is our highest priority. We are committed to maintaining a safe, respectful, and protective environment for every child, teen, and adult who takes part in our leagues, camps, and events.
This policy outlines our commitment to background checks, screening standards, injury prevention, and concussion awareness for all Hockey Without Boundaries and OPEN RINK Pro Tour programs.
1. BACKGROUND CHECK REQUIREMENTS
All individuals serving in a position of trust with youth participants must undergo a background screening. This includes:
Coaches
Assistant coaches
Officials and referees
Program staff
On-site volunteers
League administrators and coordinators
These screenings are mandatory prior to the start of any season or event and must be completed before contact with participants.
2. SCREENING STANDARDS
Our background checks are conducted through a third-party screening service and include searches of:
National Criminal Database
National Sex Offender Registry
County-level criminal records
Federal watchlists, where applicable
We follow screening protocols aligned with SafeSport, USA Ball Hockey (USABH), and other recognized youth sports safety standards.
3. RENEWAL & MONITORING
All approved individuals must undergo a background check every 12 months to remain active in any volunteer or leadership role.
Additionally:
We reserve the right to run additional checks at any time, with cause or at our discretion.
A rolling renewal system is in place for year-round programming.
4. DISQUALIFYING OFFENSES
The following will result in automatic disqualification from participating in any official capacity:
Any conviction of a violent crime
Any conviction involving abuse, neglect, or harm to a minor
Any conviction of sexual misconduct, harassment, or exploitation
Any conviction for drug trafficking or controlled substance distribution
Any listing on a sex offender registry
Other offenses may also result in disqualification depending on severity, recency, and pattern of behavior. Appeals may be submitted to league leadership for review, but the final decision rests with the program director.
5. CONCUSSION & INJURY PROTOCOLS
We take head injuries and physical safety seriously. All coaches and officials are expected to follow the protocols below:
If a concussion is suspected:
The player must be removed immediately from play.
The player may not return the same day under any circumstances.
The player must be cleared by a licensed medical professional before returning to practice or games.
Parents/guardians must be notified as soon as possible and provided with information on signs and symptoms of concussions.
General Injury Protocols:
First aid kits must be present at all games and events.
In the case of serious injury, emergency medical services will be called immediately.
All injuries must be documented and reported to the league coordinator.
We recommend that parents, coaches, and players complete a baseline concussion assessment (available through many local providers) before the season begins.
6. MANDATORY REPORTING
Any suspicion or report of abuse, harassment, or misconduct must be reported immediately to league officials and, where applicable, local authorities. All staff and volunteers are expected to act as mandatory reporters of any concern involving the safety or well-being of a minor.
Reports may be submitted confidentially to the program director or through an official league reporting channel.
FINAL NOTES
We believe that a culture of safety is essential to the growth and integrity of our programs. By committing to high standards in background checks and injury prevention, we aim to build trust with families, schools, and communities.
For questions about this policy or to request a copy of our full safety manual, please contact your program administrator or email us directly at info@topcheezswag.com.
