Risk and Safety

The safety and wellbeing of OGHA players is of paramount importance. The following outlines injury reporting requirements and dressing room policy details.

Injury Reporting

Any injury occurring during a OGHA sanctioned practice, game or activity must be documented in the Hockey Canada Injury Log.

For serious injuries, a Hockey Canada Injury Report must be completed.

Hockey Canada Injury Log

The Trainer will ensure that all information related to their players that require medical attention from the Trainer, are recorded in the Hockey Canada Injury Log, even if it is of a minor incident such as a cut on a finger. The Hockey Canada Injury Log is available here.

Hockey Canada Injury Report

In any case where there is a serious injury during a sanctioned practice, game or off the ice activity, the Hockey Canada Injury Report form must be filled out by the team Trainer.

Serious injury includes cases where a physician's report, hospital trip, or a claim is made.

If possible, this shall be done before the player leaves the arena to ensure that the incident is documented with the cause of the potential injury, along with any initial symptoms that exist with the player. If in doubt, the Hockey Canada Injury Report shall be completed to ensure that the incident is documented.

One side of the Hockey Canada Injury Report is for the Trainer reporting the incident and the parent/guardian, and the back side is for the player’s physician’s statement.

The Trainer will ensure that any fully completed Hockey Canada Injury Report is submitted to the OWHA within 90 days of the injury. A copy of this submission is to be given to the parents/caregivers. The Hockey Canada Injury Report is available here.

The Trainer and parents/guardians should keep a copy of all documentation submitted to the OWHA. No player is to be allowed to continue their practice or play if the Trainer does not feel that the player is safe to do so. In cases when the Trainer’s decision is in conflict with other bench staff or the parent/guardian, the Trainer will notify the Director of Risk and Safety of the OGHA as soon as possible who will determine the resolution of the matter.

Return to Play - serious injury

The Trainer will ensure that any injured player wishing to return to play after sustaining one of the following injuries during an OGHA event submits a Return to Play form:

1. Any head, neck or spinal injury

2. Any injury where the player received medical attention/treatment

3. any fracture of dislocation

When a player sustains a head, neck or spinal injury during a non OGHA sanctioned event, and the injury causes the noted player to miss any scheduled OGHA practice or game, the trainer will ensure that a Return to Play form is submitted. The Trainer will ensure that any submitted Return to Play form is signed by a qualified medical practitioner. This form does not need to be completed by the physician who diagnosed the original injury but the physician completing the form must be aware of the nature and circumstances of the injury. Any team official, parent/guardian or player who knowingly disregards their responsibility of requiring a medical doctor’s written permission for permitting a player to return to play may be subject to disciplinary action.

Return to Play from Concussion

When a player is diagnosed by a medical doctor as having a concussion, the individual must stop participation in all hockey activities immediately. The participant is not permitted to return to any hockey activity until written permission is given by a medical doctor. Returning to normal activities after a concussion is a step-wise process that requires patience, attention and caution. The return to play process is gradual, and begins after a doctor has given the player clearance to return to activity. If any symptoms/signs return during this process, the player must be re-evaluated by a physician. No return to play if any symptoms or signs persist. The OGHA follows the six step return to play process, which can be found here. 

Dressing Room Policy - Details and Guidance

The OGHA Dressing Room Policy can be found here.

1. Fostering Safety and Comfort: Ensuring a space where players feel comfortable and free from potential discomfort is a top priority. Having an all-female dressing room environment allows the girls to prepare, change, and interact without hesitation, fostering a sense of security. 
2. Encouraging Team Bonding: The dressing room is a critical space for team camaraderie, where players connect, encourage one another, and form bonds. It’s an opportunity for the team to grow together in an inclusive and shared environment.
3. Visibility of Female Leadership: This was a very big point of discussion and agreement for the Board and takes into account the perspectives of female players who are a bit older and can share their lived experience. By maintaining an all-female dressing room policy, we create opportunities for female coaches, managers, and volunteers to lead and model positive mentorship, reinforcing the importance of women’s visibility in sports which we know is still very much lacking.

For additional information or guidance on injury reporting or the dressing room policy, reach out to the Director of Risk and Safety at: RiskSafetyandWellness@ogha.org