Hello everyone,
I hope everyone is enjoying their season so far. There is lots of news in this
issue from a new look for the SMHA to the checking/non-checking survey results
and more. If you read only one article, read "Score one for Emily",
and take a minute to appreciate how much you have.
A NEW LOOK FOR THE SMHA
The SMHA is getting a new look! - Over the next year or so the SMHA logo used
by House and Development teams will be switching from the Redmen Indian head to
the RAMS logo. Find
out more.
SCORE ONE FOR EMILY
At every minor hockey game in our town of Stittsville, you'll see dozens of
boys and girls zipping around the ice, slapping at pucks, diving to block shots
and dreaming of scoring the winning goal. Most of us take this sight for
granted.
While these games are going on, another kid from Stittsville is lying in a
hospital bed at Sick Kids Hospital in Toronto recovering from yet another round
of treatments. 7 year old Emily Lusignan won't be playing hockey for awhile,
but like our own hockey players, she is dreaming of scoring her winning goal
and beating the brain cancer that has sidelined her life.
Like the best hockey players she is determined and passionate and her will to
win is huge. Her parents are cheering her on and supporting her through good
days and bad, but it's a full time job for their entire family. Her parents
have willingly left their jobs to be with Emily in Toronto but the financial
burden is a large one.
The Stittsville RAMS Minor Peewee team is spearheading a campaign to raise
funds to make life a bit easier for Emily and her parents. They have enrolled
Pat Sullivan, a native of Stittsville himself, who has donated hundreds of
T-Shirts that carry the message "Score one for Emily". They are
selling these T-shirts for $10 each with all funds going to the Lusignans. Check
out this cutie, then open your hearts, and buy one. Give it as a Christmas
gift, hug the person who is wearing it, and know that you've helped make a
tough situation just a little bit easier.
Contact Ron Kita to order
yours. Available in Kids Large and Adult Large only.
PHOTO DAY
A big thank you to the SMHA association for giving every player a complimentary
picture as a memento of your hockey season. Picture Day went off without a
hitch once again and your photos will be delivered soon. If you need a retake,
come to the SCC Saturday Dec 13th between 10 am and 12 noon.
CHECKING/NON-CHECKING SURVEY
Thanks to everyone who responded to our on-line survey. Your opinion really
mattered, and thanks to your feedback we were able to make accommodations for
as many people as possible. The detailed results can be found here,
but here is what we learned and what we did as a result:
1) There was strong interest in non-checking at Peewee and as a result we
fielded two non-checking Peewee teams (Peewee A and Peewee B) for the first
time.
2) Very little interest in non-checking at Bantam A but lots of interest at
Bantam B and so we have offered checking-only at Bantam A and both forms of
play at Bantam B.
3) Both checking and non-checking were of interest at Midget so we offered both
checking and non-checking options at both Midget A and Midget B.
Our goal was to offer everyone their choice of hockey and to the largest degree
possible, where we had enough interest we put in a team. While it was not
possible to make everyone perfectly happy, with a huge amount of work, we can
now safely say the SMHA offers more choice than any other hockey association.
HAVE A COMPLAINT?
We've all been there when something happens that we just need to take action on
and we wonder (usually out loud) - Who do I complain to? Here's the right way
to take action: First of all, abide by the 24 hour rule - don't do anything
till emotions cool. Then start with your Coach. If by chance he or she isn't
able to address your concerns to your satisfaction then contact your Convenor,
then if necessary escalate to the appropriate SMHA Hockey Director (house, IP,
RAMS). If all of that fails, the last step is the SMHA President. It's
important that we keep our communications in the association. If you follow
this chain of command, you'll get attention. Other than your coach, all of
these people can be contacted via the SMHA website.
ARENA SECURITY - NOT!
Sadly no dressing room is ever 100% secure even if you're certain you've locked
the door and every year we hear about kids losing valuables, like money, phones
and IPods. A reminder to everyone to leave valuables at home (and not in your
car in the parking lot cause we hear about those break-ins too.)
NOVICE SOCIAL SUCCESS
Thanks to everyone who participated in the Novice Social - by all accounts
everyone had a great time and we even made a bit of money that has gone back to
support hockey development. And a special thanks to Kim Morin and her team of
volunteers for all the work she did organizing this event!
COMING SOON!
- Novice Challenge for B and C levels is set for the weekend of December 12th
to 14th
- IP fun day is scheduled for December 13th
Have a wonderful Christmas Season and as always, please reply to this newsletter
and share your thoughts!
Lynda
Your SMHA Roving Reporter
www.stittsvilleminorhockey.com