Ensuring hockey is a safe and enjoyable experience for all participants is a shared responsibility across the sport and one we take very seriously at CoYHC. Here are some important documents which help us (and you) ensure that health & safety is always our top priority:
COYHC Health & Safety Statement: CoYHC Health and Safety Statement

Planning Safe Hockey:
Planning ahead to ensure hockey is safe, whether it be in matches or training, is essential so all CoYHC coaches will have completed the England Hockey Safe Hockey Online Module over and above their other coaching qualifications. To read more about England Hockey Planning Safe Hockey, please see the following useful guide: Planning Safe Hockey.

First Aid:
CoYHC has a designated First Aid Lead, Lucy Tate, who can be contacted via
firstaid@cityofyorkhc.co.uk. Each CoYHC team (across Seniors and Juniors) is provided with a first aid kit and all Lead Coaches and Captains (or a designated member of each team) are qualified first aiders. Details on the locations of defib equipment & first aid kits at each of the venues that CoYHC use can be found in our Health & Safety Statement above.

Injury Reporting:
It's critical that all injuries throughout the season are reported to us so that we can help England Hockey make better decisions about player protection and safety.
If you know of an injury (whether in a game or training) that required first aid treatment (especially head injuries), please take a couple of minutes to complete the form below. Once completed, these are reviewed by our First Aid Lead who will then report those more serious onto England Hockey. 
Injury reporting form: CoYHC Injury & Accident Form.

Concussion:
Concussion is a traumatic brain injury that can occur from a blow to the head or body which causes a disturbance to normal brain function. It affects the way a person thinks, feels and remembers things. Any player with a suspected concussion should be immediately removed from the field of play and assessed by an appropriate Healthcare Professional (or access the NHS by calling 111) within 24 hours of the injury. For guidance of recognising the signs of concussion (and guidance on immediate management), please review this Concussion Recognition Tool.

CoYHC follows the England Hockey Concussion Policy and particularly the ‘If in doubt, sit them out’ mantra. In short, this means that If a player has a suspected concussion, they cannot return to the match or training for 24hrs.

Those players with a confirmed concussion can only return to training and matches after 21 days unless the concussion is being managed by a Healthcare Professional experienced in sports concussion management.

Risk Assessments:
CoYHC conduct a Risk Assessment on all pitches and facilities that we hire to ensure we’ve a safe environment to play hockey. You can request copies of Risk Assessments through our Fixture Secretary on fixsec@cityofyorkhc.co.uk.