Grievances and Safesport Reporting

The New Prague Hockey Association (NPHA) is committed to providing a safe, respectful, and positive environment for all participants and to addressing concerns in a fair, consistent, and appropriate manner.

NPHA maintains separate processes for Association grievances and disciplinary concerns and SafeSport concerns. Understanding the difference helps ensure concerns are directed to the appropriate person and handled under the correct process.

Members do not need to determine with certainty which process applies before bringing forward a concern. If a report is submitted through the wrong process, NPHA will help direct it appropriately.

You do not need to make that determination on your own.

If you are uncertain whether something is an Association grievance, disciplinary matter, or potential SafeSport violation, contact the Board Member-at-Large or NPHA SafeSport Coordinator. The concern will be directed to the appropriate process.

A member is not required to complete the NPHA grievance process before making a required SafeSport report.

NPHA encourages open, respectful, and solution-focused communication. When appropriate, members should attempt to resolve routine team questions or concerns at the lowest appropriate level.

However, members are not required to directly confront an individual when the concern involves that individual, involves conduct that may warrant disciplinary action, or when doing so would be inappropriate or uncomfortable.

Routine team-related questions or concerns should generally begin with the team's Head Coach.

Depending on the nature of the concern, the Team Manager, appropriate Hockey Development Committee Coordinator, or Association President may also be able to provide clarification or assistance.

Board Members may listen to concerns and help members understand the appropriate reporting process, but individual Board Members will not independently investigate or resolve formal grievances outside of NPHA's established process.

Formal grievances and disciplinary concerns must be submitted in writing to the Board Member-at-Large.

The report should include:

• The name of the person submitting the concern
• The individual(s) involved
• A clear description of what occurred
• Relevant dates, locations, or circumstances
• Any individuals who witnessed the incident
• Any relevant documentation or communication
• Steps already taken to address the concern, if applicable
• The requested resolution, if one is being sought

Anonymous formal grievances will not be considered.

The Board Member-at-Large will review the submitted concern and determine the appropriate next step.

Depending on the nature of the concern, the matter may:

• Be resolved through clarification or communication;
• Be referred to the appropriate Association representative;
• Be presented to the NPHA Disciplinary Committee for formal review; or
• Be referred to the NPHA SafeSport Coordinator or another governing authority if the allegations may fall outside of NPHA's jurisdiction.

When formal disciplinary review is appropriate, the matter will be reviewed by NPHA's Disciplinary Committee, led by the Board Member-at-Large.

The Committee may gather additional information, review applicable policies and prior documented incidents, speak with involved individuals or witnesses, and provide individuals involved with an opportunity to respond.

The Committee will determine or recommend an appropriate resolution or disciplinary action consistent with NPHA policies and the circumstances of the matter.

The appropriate parties will be notified of the outcome within a reasonable timeframe.

Depending on the circumstances and applicable governing rules, members may have additional appeal or review options through District 6, Minnesota Hockey, or another governing authority.

NPHA understands that not every concern requires disciplinary action. However, concerns involving conduct, repeated behavior, or violations of Association expectations should be formally reported when members believe Association awareness or intervention is appropriate.

Formal reporting creates documentation that allows NPHA to identify patterns of behavior and consider previous documented incidents if additional concerns arise.

If an incident is never reported to NPHA, the Association may have no record that it occurred. This can limit NPHA's ability to establish a pattern of behavior or appropriately consider previous incidents when responding to future concerns.

Submitting a concern does not automatically result in disciplinary action. It ensures the Association has an appropriate record and can determine whether additional action is warranted.

The safety and well-being of all participants is a priority of USA Hockey, Minnesota Hockey, and NPHA. SafeSport is designed to prevent, recognize, report, and respond to abuse, misconduct, and behaviors that threaten the safety or well-being of participants.

NPHA follows applicable USA Hockey, Minnesota Hockey, and U.S. Center for SafeSport requirements.

Any participant who witnesses, suspects, or receives information regarding conduct that may constitute a SafeSport violation should report the concern in accordance with applicable SafeSport reporting requirements.

The NPHA SafeSport Coordinator is the Association's primary point of contact for SafeSport concerns.

A SafeSport concern does not need to first be reported to a coach, Team Manager, Board Member, Board Member-at-Large, or Disciplinary Committee.

Upon receiving a potential SafeSport concern:

• The NPHA SafeSport Coordinator will document the report and ensure it is referred or reported to Minnesota Hockey, USA Hockey, the U.S. Center for SafeSport, law enforcement, or another appropriate authority as required.
• NPHA will cooperate with the organization or authority that has jurisdiction over the matter.
• NPHA will maintain confidentiality to the extent reasonably possible and consistent with applicable reporting and investigative requirements.
• NPHA will not independently investigate matters when jurisdiction rests with another governing body or law enforcement.
• When NPHA retains authority to address Association-level conduct, a matter may also be referred to the Board Member-at-Large and Disciplinary Committee for appropriate Association action.

A SafeSport report and an NPHA disciplinary matter are not always mutually exclusive. The same incident may require reporting through SafeSport while also resulting in Association-level action when permitted.

NPHA follows USA Hockey SafeSport and applicable Minor Athlete Abuse Prevention Policies regarding locker rooms, one-on-one interactions, electronic communications, transportation, lodging, and other interactions involving minor athletes.

Teams are responsible for complying with all current locker room monitoring and supervision requirements. Cell phones, cameras, video equipment, and other recording devices may not be used in locker rooms in violation of applicable SafeSport policies.

Coaches, managers, volunteers, Locker Room Monitors, and other applicable participants must complete all required SafeSport training and background screening.

Current SafeSport policies and requirements established by USA Hockey and Minnesota Hockey apply even when they are more restrictive than information summarized on this page.

SafeSport and NPHA reporting procedures do not replace any legal or mandatory reporting obligations.

Allegations involving suspected child abuse, sexual misconduct, or other potential criminal conduct will be reported or referred to law enforcement, child protection authorities, the U.S. Center for SafeSport, USA Hockey, Minnesota Hockey, or other appropriate authorities as required.

NPHA will not conduct its own investigation when doing so would interfere with or exceed the Association's authority in a matter under the jurisdiction of law enforcement or another governing organization.

Emergency or Immediate Safety Concern

Contact appropriate emergency or law enforcement authorities when immediate assistance is necessary. NPHA reporting procedures should never delay emergency assistance or a legally required report.