Vulnerable Sector (Police) Check
All Team Staff, aged 18 and over, must have a Police Vulnerable Sector Check (VSC) every three years and complete an Online Declaration every year.
Forms for the VSC are available online on your local police force website. A letter which states you are a volunteer is available on our website and should be submitted when the police check is requested. Click here for the link to the Waterloo Regional Police website where you can obtain the Vulnerable Sector Check if you live in the Waterloo Region.
The OWHA uses a centralized process for Vulnerable Sector Checks and Online Declarations. This process applies to all Team Staff regardless of whether you have already submitted your VSC in the past.
This centralized process:
- ensures all screening is being done.
- reduces number of screenings where individuals are changing and/or participating in multiple Associations.
- provides a safe hockey environment.
It is imperative for all Team Staff to ensure their Vulnerable Sector Check is valid and that they have completed the Online Declaration on the OHF website. To check if your VSC and Declaration are valid, you must
sign into your Hockey Canada account on Spordle.
You need to check under 'Background Check' for both the Declaration and Vulnerable Sector Check. Both need to have a date of May 31, 2026 or later.
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Ontario Hockey Federation Screening Process
1. HOW TO - Create a Hockey Canada Registry (HCR) Number for new members:
Follow this document to create a HCR # if you are a new member with Hockey Canada.
2. Get your HCR #:
Click here to log into your HCR 3.0/Spordle account. Here you will find your HCR #:
3. Make sure you have a PDF of a valid Vulnerable Sector Check and know your Hockey Canada number, then click here. Be sure to click on the 'Register now' red button and follow the detailed instructions in this document. NOTE: It is very important to follow all the steps exactly as shown.
PLEASE NOTE:
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All documents must be in PDF format to be accepted. (Pictures, images and other formats are not accepted.)
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If your returned VSC from your police service is password protected, save the PDF to remove the password encryption. Alternatively, you can print the VSC and scan it as a PDF.
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If the Team Staff member is deemed ineligible through review of the VSC or Screening Declaration form, they will be notified by the OHF.
If you require a new VSC this season, please remember to save a copy of your receipt and submit it to [email protected] for a refund. We pay a maximum of $20 for VSCs.
The OHF website contains full information regarding this process. If you still have questions after reviewing their information, please contact us at [email protected].
The Vulnerable Sector Check and Online Declaration must be submitted to and approved by the OHF before a staff member is permitted to participate with the team. Therefore, we require staff to meet the following deadlines:
- July 31st for U11 to U18 rep teams, and
- September 1st for all other teams.
Any staff that do not meet these dates will not be permitted to participate with the team on or off the ice until this requirement is met. Starting August 1st, the OHF will give temporary approvals if you submit the VSC receipt while you wait for your actual VSC.