MANDATORY PRE-SEASON MEETING FOR COACHES AND CONVENORS
The North York Knights will hold their pre-season House League coaches and convenors meeting on Sunday October 2nd, 2022 at Armour Heights Community Centre (2140 Avenue Road south of Wilson Avenue – parking available). The Coach and Convenor meeting will begin at 7:00 pm and end at 9:00pm.
Please note that attendance is mandatory if you wish to be a House League coach or assistant coach. If you are unable to attend, please send an alternate and/or inform our registrar at nykha.knights@gmail.com. The Knights will endeavour to provide all the necessary information required to be a House League coach at a later date if you cannot attend this meeting or find an alternate on this date. While some hockey knowledge would certainly be an asset, prior coaching experience particularly at the younger age divisions is NOT required. Generally we try to pair up our volunteer coaches; so volunteering to coach with a buddy should guarantee that your children will be on the same team!
The North York Knights have committed to provide more support to House League coaches by contracting Around the Net (ATN) hockey school to run the U6-U13 practices until the end of December. U14-U18 divisions will have rotating attendance by ATN at practices to provide support. ATN will also be providing practice plans for House League coaches. Along with the support of ATN coaches at practices, the Knights will also provide a Coach Kit (per team) with pucks, pylons and a white board for new coaches in the U7, U8 & U9 divisions.
All House League coaches are expected to attend as discussion topics will include:
- House League rules and procedures;
- expected behaviour of coaches and other team officials;
- completion of game sheets;
- safety practices including reporting of possible concussions;
- introduction of NYKHA officials;
- distribution of players to individual teams.
Please remember that the Knights is a not-for-profit organization that relies entirely on the assistance of parent and non-parent volunteers to run our programs for your children. Help us ensure that every child has an enjoyable hockey experience this season by considering our request to join us for the upcoming House League season.
Anyone who wishes to coach with the Knights MUST complete or have completed the ‘Respect In Sport’ (Activity Leader) online program. Completion of this course is a Hockey Canada requirement. If you would like to coach but have not completed the Respect in Sport program, please go to the GTHL website and complete the online clinic (link below).
The Ontario Hockey Federation (OHF) has introduced a training module for all convenors, House League coaches, Select trainers and Select managers to support trans-inclusive hockey in Ontario. Completion of the Understanding Discrimination based on Gender Identity and Gender Expression is mandatory in order to be approved to a roster for the 2022-2023 season.
For all convenors, coaches, Select trainers and managers, completion of the module will be required by October 5th, 2022.
All convenors, House League coaches, Select trainers and managers will require an eHockey account in the Hockey Canada Registry (HCR) in order to register for and complete the module. Once completed, notification will be posted to the convenor, coach, Select trainer or manager’s member profile on the HCR. This policy will be discussed at the Coach meeting. The online program can be found at:
Please note that this training has been mandated by the OHF and must be completed if an individual wishes to volunteer in the North York Knights Hockey Association. Thank you for your co-operation on this important matter.
Steve Horvath
President, NYKHA