Gloucester Rangers Minor Hockey Parent Handbook

Although you have just started your hockey season, we have been working since last season to make the hockey experience enjoyable for both parents and players.

In the spring, we interviewed and selected your coaches. All Ranger head coaches must hold at minimum, Intermediate coaching certification and have coaching experience. They have met with the Director of Hockey Development and know that the Rangers are trying to put the emphasis on development rather than just winning. They know that we are looking for consistency from year to year in what our players are learning so that they continue to develop. The head coach must present his proposed coaching staff to the GRMH Executive for approval. We believe we have chosen the best candidates for the job from the applicants we had, and trust you will find the same.

Director of Hockey Development

Mike Pilon of the Huron Hockey School was hired by the GRMH to perform this crucial role. GRMH saw the need for consistency in teaching criteria, development strategies and the balance between technical and tactical instruction. Mike and his staff are mentors, teachers and colleagues to our coaches and meet with them regularly, providing hands-on teaching and observation as well as access to a full library of teaching tools and techniques. Their role is to work with the coaches, offering advice, techniques, tips, constructive criticism, and objective evaluation.

It should be noted that there is a national movement towards such a position and that Gloucester is among the first associations in Canada to adopt a formal development program. We believe we are headed in the right direction with this position.

Roles of GRMH Board and Team Liaison

The board and executive are here to address parent issues and concerns. There will be a board member appointed to each team as team Liaison. This individual will help the group through tryouts and releases to the formation of two teams per age level: 'A'&'AA'. The liaison will be available to the team for meetings requiring a vote, or for any other reason including parent concerns, complaints and questions.

Fee Payment

Once a player becomes a Ranger, the Ranger treasurer must invoice the player's home association for the fees paid to that association. The team also needs start-up funds. Generally, the first payment to the team is made in September, but the first Ranger fee payment is due the 15th of October and the second installment is due the 15th of November. By December, GRMH should have received the association fees for each player, (we
require no payment in December) followed by the final balancing payment on the 15th of January. These payments are due to GRMH by the 15th of the month. Many team treasurers collect slightly before that date in order to deposit sufficient funds to cover the cheque.

Equipment Required

Each player MUST wear black pants and helmet for all games as well as the Ranger jersey and Ranger socks.

Tournaments

Gloucester Rangers host one tournament, the first weekend of Winterlude in February. All our parents are expected to volunteer to work shifts and help us prepare to host this tournament as it is the one big Ranger fundraiser of the year.

Ranger rules and regulations allow for 5 tournaments in a season: 2 out of district, and 3 within the district. The parents must vote on the number of out-of-town tournaments the team will participate in, with a 75% majority rule. They are voting only on the number of tournaments, NOT the location of these tournaments. It is up to the coaching staff to decide which tournaments would most benefit the group. We encourage parent acceptance of the tournaments chosen.

Financial Decisions and Reporting

All major financial decisions, and any deviation from the accepted budget, must be brought to a parent vote for approval by 75% majority in order to implement or change. All team managers are responsible for a monthly financial reporting to the GRMH, and to the team parents.

Roles and Responsibilities of Minor team Officials

Manager

The MOST critical roll on the team. This individual is the glue that binds the team together. He/she is the liaison between the parents and the coaching staff. The manager assists the coaching staff in all matters of team events including: booking & trading ice, organizing and booking tournaments, reporting suspensions, affiliations, etc.

The manager can be the difference between a fantastic season and a miserable one. Please give serious thought to choosing the right individual.

This individual must be extremely well organized, be able to delegate, deal well with people and children and be proficient at problem-solving and conflict resolution. The manager MUST work with the coaching staff, and have the same goals in mind for the season and the team. The manager's role is explained in more detail in our manager handbook. This is a general description in order to stimulate thinking by the parents on the ideal candidate to assume this important role.

All other team volunteers report directly to the team Manager. Here are a few examples:

Team Treasurer - Collect fees from parents, keep accurate records of revenue and expenses and prepare a report by the 5th of each month for the team Manager to review and submit to the GRMH treasurer along with any payments due to the GRMH. The team manager will give a copy of this financial statement to the parents each month.

Statistician - Keep fair and accurate statistics as instructed by the coaching staff.

Fundraiser - Prepare proposals for team and individual fundraising and present to team for a vote on which proposals will be utilized. Help schedule, plan and organize the accepted fundraisers and delegate duties to volunteers.

Clock and Penalty Box - This is an official position. You are no longer a team parent, but a game minor official. Once assumed, this position requires a fair and unbiased effort. There can be no verbal debate with on-ice officials.

Tournament Rep - Attend all tournament meetings as your team liaison. Bring information gathered from the meetings to your team. Help enlist volunteers to fill the shifts required of your team. Help tournament committee in the final stages of organization and the running of the tournament.

Public Relations Rep - Attend all Public Relations meetings as your team liaison. Bring information gathered from the meetings to your team. Help enlist volunteers to assist if required. Help organize your team for photos. Prepare or delegate someone else to provide information for the Ranger Rap. Assist in the planning and preparation for the annual year-end Gloucester Rangers Team Banquet.

Expectations

Now that your team has been formed, it is up to you the parent, as your child's greatest fan, to do everything in your power to encourage and nurture the TEAM approach. This is your child's team and that is not going to change. This is also the selected team coaching staff and that, too, will not change.

It is imperative that you focus on the positive. The team may only be hurt by negative feelings and the result can be a long and frustrating year for a player if he must choose between your feelings and his own.

The kids love the game and just want to play. The GRMH has done everything in its power to ensure that we are providing the best coaching staff available and the best learning environment for your child. Please help us make this season a positive one for your child and his team. Use your team liaison, yet feel free to contact the Executive, President or Vice-President of Hockey Operations at any time with your questions, concerns or suggestions on how we can improve.

Behaviour

Please remember that, at all times, you represent District 9 of the Ottawa District Minor Hockey Association (ODMHA), its member associations, and Gloucester Rangers Minor Hockey. (GRMH) As such, your personal conduct must be of the highest order at all times. Abuse of officials, team coaching staff and players will NOT be tolerated.

Problems and Complaints

We know there won't be many of these.however, if you need to raise an issue, the procedure is as follows:

1. First, speak to your child. Find out what happened, what was said, and how he feels about the situation. Carefully assess what a child may take as face value.

2. If you feel there is a problem, you may speak to the team manager, and ask for a meeting with the coach (24 hour cool down rule).

3. If not comfortable or satisfied with this, speak to your team liaison. An objective opinion and different perspective may help. The liaison can also bring forward your concerns to the board.

4. Speak to the Vice-President of Hockey Operations or the Rangers' President about your concerns.

5. Don't wait too long to deal with an issue. It is always easier to remedy a situation if it is caught early, and no damage has been done.

For updated information on the Rangers and for e-mail addresses for the executive, board and your coaches, please visit our web site (www.gloucesterrangers.com).

Have a wonderful hockey season!
And, even though we are competitive teams, let's keep it FUN!