Parent & Minor Hockey Association Relationship
Role of the Local Minor Hockey Association
The mandate of this minor hockey association (WMHA) is to administer and promote the game of hockey within its local community. This responsibility includes ensuring that all levels of competition and player ability are addressed.
The minor hockey association is also responsible for ensuring an Executive Board is in place to administer the day-to-day function of the association during the hockey season. As well, it is responsible for ensuring the appropriate legal requirements are addressed with respect to registering under the Society's Act, having a constitution, providing financial reports, having insurance, and registering with the provincial hockey body (OMHA)
The local association operates within the Constitution and Playing Rules adopted locally, by the OMHA, and by Hockey Canada.
The Relationship of Parent and the Local Minor Hockey Association
A parent's first contact with us usually comes when they register their son or daughter to play hockey. This is the entry point both for your child's involvement in the sport and yours.
Parents are encouraged to attend general meetings of the WMHA to become aware of how the association operates and the many opportunities available to support the players in their hockey development.
The Association offers many options, on-ice and off-ice, for parents to become involved with their child.
Off-ice, parents can be involved as team parents, team managers, fund-raisers, concession workers, scorekeepers, timekeepers, tournament organizers and as members of the WMHA executive. These are all important support positions where volunteers are needed. Through volunteering you will meet and become friends with the parents of the players on your child's team, parents across the WMHA, and make many contacts throughout the community. The WHMA prides itself on offering a family-like, close-knit community brought together by the "love of the game".
On-ice, parents can be involved as coaches, trainers and officials. The WMHA will arrange clinics so you can become familiar with Hockey Canada's Initiation Program, Coaching Programs, Safety Programs and Officiating Programs. These clinics will teach you the fundamentals to be an effective leader with the players. They will provide you with the tools to succeed in your volunteer position while enhancing the experience the players will have under your supervision. Many WMHA's offer parent education opportunities for you to attend. Through these sessions you will be able to find out the philosophy of the association, where to take any concerns that may arise, who will be working with your child, and the role of the parent in the association.
For parents of children entering hockey for the first time there are naturally concerns about your child and the adults who will be involved with your child. Hockey Canada's Speak Out Program is designed to address these concerns. Ask your WMHA Executive how they are implementing Speak Out to safeguard your child.
During your years ahead as a minor hockey parent there will be a variety of opportunities to support your child in their hockey development. If or when concerns arise, speak with your child's coach or a WMHA executive member. Most often it is just a matter of a misunderstanding that can easily be addressed.
Both you and your child will grow and develop skills through your involvement with hockey. You will both learn and develop life skills to use in other aspects of your life. Welcome to Wallace Minor Hockey!