Print this pageOctober 2010 Newsletter
Dear Parents,
How exciting have the last few weeks been! Thanks to so many of YOU, dedicated volunteers, we've been able to conduct conditioning/evaluation sessions, and player placement so that we can now get the season started.
Read on to find out what's happening, and what's around the corner.
Player Placement
Most of the SMHA players know by now to which team they've been assigned. If this isn't your case, make sure to check the "Ice Times" section off the SMHA website menu bar often to find out what to next expect.
Practice Ice Times
In order to serve you better and to increase transparency in ice allocation, your Convenors will be posting all of their practice ice times on their dedicated page as the year progresses. Please visit the "Ice Times" tab on the top menu bar of the SMHA website often to stay abreast of the scheduling.
Non-Checking at House B
We want to clarify the SMHA’s official position on the type of hockey being offered at B levels in our House Hockey program.
1. The SMHA’s constitution states that only non-checking programs will be offered at House B – from Peewee to Midget. Peewee B NC teams will play with Kanata, Bantam B NC will play with West Carleton and Carleton Place in the LCMHL, Midget B NC will play in an internal house league.
2. The constitution can be changed, but only by a vote of members at the Annual General Meeting.
3. Any SMHA member can submit a request for a change to the constitution which must be approved by the executive before it is put in front of the membership to vote on next April at the AGM
Unless 2 and 3 happen, there can’t be any checking at B. This means that there will be no changes to the policy for this hockey season.
If you have been approached by any SMHA bench staff member or any management council member about checking for B hockey, it was done without the backing of the SMHA Executive. If you have any questions about this, please contact Glenn Austin VP Operations, Lynda Partner VP Support Services or Mike Clarkson Director Hockey Development.
There is also a great conversation going on right now about this subject on our SMHA Blog. It's where you can share your thoughts and respond to others who are doing the same. Check it out.
Stay Informed and Get Involved
Read your SMHA Management Council meeting minutes to stay informed of what's being discussed within your Association. If you want to participate in the Management Council discussions, and are willing to do some leg work, please join us by volunteering for one of the following positions still available.
- Tournament coordinator
- Sponsorship coordinator
- Fundraising coordinator
No experience is needed-- there are many people to help you learn. Fill out this form to indicate your interest and someone will contact you to give you more info.
Also, have you checked out the SMHA Blog lately? We added this feature this summer to encourage discussion and feedback on items of our interest to our association's community. Stop by to read about, and add your voice to what is being said about House B non-checking, and our year-beginning team staff selection process.
Clinics
The SMHA is hosting several clinics this year: two Speak Out clinics for team volunteers and parents (October 4th or 23rd) , an Intro to Coaching clinic for IP Head Coaches (October 3rd) and a Coach Stream clinic for House level Head Coaches and Competitive level Assistant-Coaches (November 12th & 13th). Register now.
The Rory Bradley Memorial Bursary Fund
You are all invited, indivudally or as a team, to purchase or help sell RAMS bracelets to raise funds for the Rory Bradley Memorial Bursary Fund. Find out more.
Hold the Day for Picture Day
Sunday, October 24th at the SCC. More information to come through your Head Coach/Team Manager at a later date.
Buy and Sell Hockey Gear
Need hockey equipment? Want to sell hockey equipment? Visit the SMHA Classified section to buy and sell these goods in your own community. There's all kinds of great stuff there right now - skates, sticks, pads - even some hockey pylons! There is no cost to buy or sell.
The Last Word... Advice from an SMHA Parent
We received the following words of wisdom from a fellow SMHA parent, and thought it was too good not to share it with you.
VOLUNTEERING: DID YOU KNOW...
o When or if you are approached for help, please remember that not only will you be setting an example for your son/daughter, you will be sharing the load so that one or two parents can enjoy the hockey season without having the entire load of work on themselves.
o The same few parents tend to volunteer year after year for both game duties and league duties.
o More hands make less work for ALL
o A manager`s handbook is available and is currently being updated by experienced Managers so as to make the job easier to do, and easier to sub-task out.
o The manager`s role CAN be split up –parents are encouraged to help – we are ALL busy parents, often doing the volunteer work from 10-12pm
o Other tools are being considered to help make volunteering easier
- a pocket guide to clocks in our rinks
- more templates that are accessible
- a `Manager`training opportunity
- a list of Managers that you can share
and get advice from
ATTENDANCE/ARRIVAL TIMES: DID YOU KNOW...
It’s important to ensure that you RSVP AND ARRIVE ON TIME to games because:
- Respect for team and bench staff
- Allows coach(es) to plan the lines and positions
- Game sheets must be filled out and given to the other team to allow them time to also enter their attendance before presenting to the refs for signature prior to game
- Allows the kids to relax, have a little social time, hear the coaches advice and not feel stressed and rushed going onto the ice.
Until next time!
Lynda and Anick
Your SMHA roving reporters