MIHC Athlete SafeSport Training and Compliance Policy
MIHC SafeSport Training and Compliance Policy
McKinney Ice Hockey Club (“MIHC”) is committed to athlete safety, abuse prevention, and full compliance with USA Hockey SafeSport requirements, TAHA requirements, applicable league rules, and all related participant-protection standards. MIHC adopts the USA Hockey SafeSport Program, including training, reporting, and participant eligibility requirements, as a condition of participation in MIHC activities.
Purpose
The purpose of this policy is to promote a safe hockey environment, protect minor athletes, establish clear training expectations, and ensure MIHC remains in compliance with USA Hockey and affiliate SafeSport requirements. MIHC may enforce this policy through registration holds, roster restrictions, suspension from activities, or other participation limitations until all required SafeSport obligations are satisfied.
MIHC Athlete SafeSport Education and Training Policy
McKinney Ice Hockey Club (“MIHC”) is committed to providing a safe, respectful, and abuse-free environment for all athletes. To support that goal, MIHC requires all rostered athletes to complete SafeSport education as a condition of registration, team placement, rostering, and continued participation in MIHC activities.
This athlete-focused policy is intended to supplement the minimum requirements established by USA Hockey. Under USA Hockey rules, players who are seventeen (17) years of age or older on or before December 31 of the applicable playing season, and who play in a classification that allows minor-age athletes, must complete the required SafeSport training before they may participate. MIHC adopts that requirement and further requires SafeSport education for all athletes, including those younger than the USA Hockey minimum threshold, through age-appropriate training assigned by the Club.
Athlete training requirement
All MIHC athletes must complete the SafeSport training or SafeSport education module assigned by MIHC for their age group. MIHC may use the U.S. Center for SafeSport youth athlete courses, including SafeSport for Kids for ages 5–12 and SafeSport for Youth Athletes for ages 13–17, or any successor or equivalent age-appropriate training approved by MIHC.
Any athlete who is seventeen (17) years of age or older on or before December 31 of the applicable season and is subject to the USA Hockey player training requirement must complete the applicable USA Hockey or U.S. Center for SafeSport training before being added to the roster and before participating in MIHC activities. If annual refresher or renewal training is required for that athlete category, the athlete must remain current throughout the season to stay eligible.
Get Trained
USA SafeSport Resource Center
SafeSport for Athletes
MIHC encourages every athlete and family to use the USA Hockey SafeSport Resource Center and the U.S. Center for SafeSport’s free, age-appropriate training resources. These courses help athletes understand their rights, recognize inappropriate conduct, build a positive team environment, and know how to report concerns involving bullying, hazing, harassment, physical misconduct, sexual misconduct, or abuse.
SafeSport resources include SafeSport for Kids for athletes ages 5–12 and SafeSport for Youth Athletes for athletes ages 13–17. Parent or legal guardian consent is required to create an account and access the youth-athlete courses.
Athletes who are required by USA Hockey to complete SafeSport Training must remain current before participating in MIHC activities. USA Hockey SafeSport Training and refresher courses are valid for 12 months, and USA Hockey-registered players may access applicable training at no cost using their USA Hockey membership information.
Access SafeSport Resources:
• USA Hockey SafeSport Training
• U.S. Center for SafeSport Athlete Courses
• SafeSport Resources for Parents and Families
Parent or guardian role
For minor athletes, a parent or legal guardian may be required to create the necessary account, provide consent, assist with access to training, and ensure the athlete completes the assigned course or module. Youth athlete training made available by the U.S. Center for SafeSport is designed for age-appropriate education and parental involvement where required.
Eligibility and enforcement
Completion of the assigned SafeSport education is a condition of MIHC participation. Any athlete who does not complete the required training by the deadline established by MIHC may be subject to delayed registration, roster hold, ineligibility for practices or games, suspension from team activities, or other participation restrictions until compliance is confirmed.
MIHC may verify completion through USA Hockey records, SafeSport records, certificates of completion, registration platform records, or other compliance documentation designated by the Club. MIHC may set season deadlines, renewal deadlines, and administrative procedures for verifying completion.
Policy updates
This policy may be revised, updated, supplemented, corrected, or replaced at any time to maintain compliance with USA Hockey, TAHA, TSHL or league requirements, SafeSport guidance, facility rules, insurance standards, Texas law, federal law, or MIHC operational needs. It is the responsibility of each athlete and parent or legal guardian to review all current published MIHC policies and updates.