General Information (Rayside Balfour Minor Hockey Association)

PrintGeneral Information
PARENTS & CAREGIVERS

PARENTS AND CAREGIVERS RESPONSIBILITES

One (1) parent/caregivers must complete Respect in Sports - Hockey Canada Parents to fulfill their child's registration. We recommended it be completed by ALL parents/caregivers.
The OHF Code of Conduct is to be strictly adhered to by parents/caregivers.
All parents/caregivers are expected to actively assist RBMHA and provide necessary cooperation.
All parents/caregivers are to ensure proper conduct of players, family members, and friends on and off the ice.

ADDITIONAL PARENTS & CAREGIVERS RESPONSIBLITIES

As a parent/caregivers, your role extends beyond the stands in the arena and the car rides to practice. It involves shaping young athletes into not only skilled players but also successful young people with strong values.

Understand what success means

A season of hockey is measured by more than just wins and losses. Success can be defined by new skills developed or mastered, lessons learned, records set, big comebacks, character defining moments, bonds of friendship, and unforgettable memories made. Remember that there are such things as "bad wins" and "good losses." Teach your child to celebrate wins with humility and to accept losses with grace. 

Avoid car coaching

Let your kids express their thoughts on the game instead of telling them about how you think it went. They likely already recognize their own mistakes and have heard about them from their coaches. Be a good listener, offer advise if asked, and highlight the positives. Focusing on building their self-esteem and confidence will translate to development and accomplishment on the ice. 

Cheer for everyone on the team

Kids develop at different stages but each member of the team brings to the game their own set of unique abilities and strengths. It is the cooperative effort of each player that ultimately leads to victory. Cheering for all the players shows your support for the whole team and will create a positive atmosphere. 

Be a fan in the stands, not a coach

Encouragement and enthusiasm from fans can greatly impact a teams experience and performance. Yelling instructions from the stands however creates confusion, heightens anxieties, and rarely produces better results. It puts your child in an awkward position of having to chose between their coach and their loved one. But, you can never go wrong with a simple "Let's Go Rayside!"

Model respect for coaches, officials, & opponents

Respect is the core of sportsmanship. Emphasize, with your words and your actions, especially in intense moments, the importance of respecting others. Remember that coaches provide mentorship, officials ensure fair play, and opponents foster healthy competition. Without them there would be no game to play. Your child is observing and emulating your behaviour, encourage them to carry themselves with dignity on and off the ice.  

Be on time

Aim to arrive at the rink 30 minutes to an hour before a game. This allows your child, and their team, time to get ready and focused. It also ensures you have time to grab some snacks and get a good seat for the action. Note: Games, especially in tournament play, can start 15 minutes early. 

Use the 24 hour rule

Hockey is an emotional sport! Discussions about a game, a game incident, or a situation that occurred during the game that has provoked an emotional response or created a hostile situation should NOT happen until at least 24 hours has passed. This important rule moves any confrontation and conflict away from the presence of the players and allows everyone to “cool off”, compose themselves and put things into perspective before discussing it. This is more likely to result in a concern being addressed rationally and in a productive manner.

Get involved 

Involvement from parents/caregivers is critical to ensuring a great season. There are many ways to get involved such as becoming an on-ice volunteer, helping to secure sponsorships, participating in fundraising initiatives, and assisting with 50/50 draws during games. Ask your Team Manager what you can do to help. 

Have fun & enjoy the journey

Time passes quickly and before you know it your child's time at the rink will be over. So, don't forget to cherish every moment and celebrate all accomplishments big and small. Keeping it fun will nurture your child's love for the greatest game on earth and provide some of the best memories playing sports, for both players and their families.