The BMHA is a volunteer based organization. All of our Coaches, Managers, and other Team Officials; as well as the entire Executive of the Association;  are made up of dedicated parent volunteers.

There are many fun and interesting roles available each season. What a great way to get more involved in your child's activities, as well as to support your local hockey community!

TEAM VOLUNTEERS 

• Head coaches, assistant coaches, managers, trainers, score/time keepers and treasurers are required for each team. The duties for each of these positions are described in the Rules, Duties & Regulations document found on the BMHA Constitution page.
  
  If you wish to volunteer to be Head Coach you must complete a Coach Application form and submit it to the relevant Division Convenor and copy it to the Vice-President of Hockey Operations at the start of the hockey season. The BMHA Board of Directors make coach selections based on a list of Coach Selection Procedures. Other team officials are selected by the head coach.
  

ASSOCIATION VOLUNTEERS

• Board Members are 'formally' elected each year at the Annual General Meeting (AGM). Volunteers can step up however, for any vacant position, at any time throughout the season. The duties for each of these positions are described in the Rules, Duties & Regulations document found on the BMHA Constitution page.
• If you are interested in learning more about a Board position, please contact any existing Board Member.

The Timbits Minor Sports Program is a community-oriented sports program for children, ages four to six year olds. The program's philosophy is not based on winning or losing - but on learning a new sport, making new friends, and just taking time out to be a kid.

The BLACKBURN MINOR HOCKEY ASSOCIATION – INITIATION PROGRAM is one of the Timbit Programs, right here in our community. The program runs most weekends from October to March at the Blackburn arena, with an opportunity to play in the 'Timbits Jamboree', a fun-filled event where everyone receives a prize, at the SCOTIABANK CENTRE - Home of the Ottawa Senators.

To register please contact our registrar today!

At the start of the hockey season all players must go through evaluations. Many parents and players find this to be the most stressful time of the season, which is unfortunate since the goal of evaluating all players is simply to try to make for better hockey through the season.

The opportunity to play with other players of about the same skill level, allows both the players and the coach the advantage of concentrating effort on the areas that can benefit most.

Whether you are a player, a parent or a coach-in-waiting, this document is meant to help explain what you can expect when playing on a Blackburn Stingers House League team.

Whether you are a player, a parent or a coach-in-waiting, this document is meant to help explain what you can expect when playing on a Blackburn Wild Competitive team.

Some things that Parents should NOT be doing:

• Do not yell out negatives at the game, or practice, towards your own child, other players on the ice, coaches or Officials.
• Do not show frustration when a penalty is called or spend time, through the game, yelling at the referees.
• Do not enter the referee dressing rooms under any circumstances.
• Do not ever touch a player, coach, referee, official or other parent/spectator.
• Do not verbally abuse a player, coach, referee, official or other parent/spectator.
• Do not throw things on the ice or in the stands.
• Do not spend the drive home telling your child everything they did wrong.
  

Some things that Parents SHOULD be doing:  

• Communicate to your child, in a positive manner, areas that the coach is trying to focus attention.
• The only yelling from the stands should be encouraging calls, backing-up areas that the coach is trying to focus attention on.
• Show respect for the officials, learn more about the standard of play, and the different signals that officials use.
• Be positive and avoid reacting negatively when a penalty is called.
• Work with your coaches to teach the players what is expected of them.
• Encourage respect for the team-mates and other players around your child.
• Visit the Hockey Canada Website, to always be gathering knowledge of the game, and areas that you can help.
• Always allow opportunity for your child to describe to you what happened at today's practice or game from their view point.
• Encourage, in all ways, your child to develop a positive attitude towards healthy competition, co-operative teamwork, fair play and grace under pressure.
• Watch out for other young players and report any inappropriate behaviour or abuse to your coach, convenor, or any member of the Association's executive.

NOTE on ABUSE: All team officials (coaches, managers, trainers) and BMHA convenors/executive members are required to take a "Speak Out Against Abuse" training course, that is helpful in identifying and reporting any inappropriate behaviour or abuse by parents.
 
NOTE on REFEREES: Many parents do not realize that the referees at your child's games are generally slightly older players from our own area Associations. Just as your Atom or Peewee aged player is working at improving their game, so too are these Bantam and Midget aged Referees trying to improve their skills. Of course they make mistakes. Remembering that they are human, in fact they are your neighbours children, can help to make the game more fun for everyone.

Click here to read the "Referee is only Human" article.

Here is a list of equipment for parents and children new to hockey. Remember, proper fitting gear is the safest for your young superstar. If unsure of the fit of any piece of equipment, consult a knowledgeable salesperson at your local sporting goods store.

Skates - Priorities here should be value and comfort. Skates should feel comfortable right out of the box, and the blade should be stainless steel or carbon. A common mistake is to buy skates a size or two bigger than they need to be, hoping that junior will get an extra year out of them. Take advantage of local stores trade in policy for kids skates.

Stick - A spare stick should be readily accessible in case of breakage during a practice or game.  A general rule of thumb for stick length is; measure to the nose without skates on and chin with skates on.  The end of the stick shaft must be taped so this end cannot penetrate the spaces in the helmet face mask.

Helmet - Helmets and facemask are mandatory in minor hockey. A proper fit ensures maximum protection. Look for the CSA certification label prior to purchase.

Shoulder Pads - A combination of foam and plastic padding with a good fit.

Elbow Pads - These short pads begin at the bottom of the shoulder pads on the players' arm and should extend to the top of the gloves.

Shin Pads - Covering the knee and shin area, these mainly plastic pads should extend from the bottom of the hockey pants to the top of the skate boot.

Gloves - Look for a good fit that allows your child to grip their stick. A single layer of foam inside the glove, coupled with coverage to the middle of the forearm is suggested.

Pants - Hockey pants provide your child with added protection against shots, sticks and falls. If the pants fit well, they will not affect your child's mobility on the ice.

Jersey - The BMHA will provide house league home and away sweaters and one sweater at the IP Level.  A practice jersey may need to be purchased.

Mouth Guard - A mouth guard is mandatory while on the ice to help to prevent injuries to the mouth and teeth (and also prevents biting the tongue) and concussions.  Two types of mouth guards are common, the boil/bite and custom fitted.  It is highly recommended that players Pee Wee age and over use a custom fitted mouth guard.

Tape - Required for taping the 'handle' and blade of the stick. Many players use clear tape for keeping their socks in place as well

Cup - Also known as a 'jock' or 'jane', boys should wear a cup and girls should wear a pelvic protector. Protect the 'next generation'.

Garter Belt - Sometimes the 'cup' requires a separate garter belt. This belt provides a mechanism to keep hockey socks in place. Opt for the shorts with velcro on the front and back as these wear better and are more comfortable for the player.

Hockey Bag - Required for lugging all the above mentioned gear back and forth from the house to the rink.

Socks - Used to cover the shin pads.

Neck Guard - A requirement  for all minor hockey players. Available for around $15, these lightweight devices assist in lessening the chance of a skate blade cutting a player's neck.  All neck guards require a visible BNQ label.