For Parents
The Relationship of Parent and the Local Minor Hockey Association
A parent's first contact with the Channel-Port aux Basques Minor
Hockey Association (CPABMHA) 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 CPABMHA, usually held in June, to become aware of how the association operates and the many opportunities available to support the players in their hockey development. As a parent of a hockey player in the CPABMHA, you automatically become a member of the association. This gives you voting power at the AGM, where you can have a say in who your executive members and directors are for the upcoming season.
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, canteen workers, scorekeepers, timekeepers, tournament organizers and as members of the CPABMHA executive. These are all important support positions where volunteers are needed, especially in the area of fundraising and canteen support. The CPABMHA will provide you with a job description and supervision. To avoid possible conflicts, it is important you perform only those items within your job description or directed by a supervisor. Through volunteering you will meet and become friends with the parents of the players on your child's team, parents across the CPABMHA, and make many contacts throughout the community.
On-ice, parents can be involved as coaches, trainers and officials. The CPABMHA 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. Occasionally, the CPABMHA's will 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. All coaches of the CPABMHA are required to participate in a "Speak Out" program 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 CPABMHA 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.
GM has an excellent resource for Parents available HERE, which deals with the role of the hockey parent on all levels. The complete parent manual can also be downloaded in PDF format from this page. It's a must read for any hockey parent.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS BY PARENTS
Volunteerism is not only what makes Port aux Basques minor hockey thrive, it is also expected of all parents/guardians of players. This is necessary in order for us to keep our costs low, which in turn results in us keeping our registration rates among the LOWEST in the entire province. Therefore, I encourage all parents to volunteer when requested by your respective Director. Also, should you agree to help out, I would ask that you honour your commitment. Not doing so results in a heavier burden on the other volunteers that have shown up, especially when the volunteer doesn’t provide notice that they cannot attend. Thank you for your understanding and your commitment to minor hockey.
Andrew Parsons
President
Port aux Basques Minor Hockey
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