What does it mean to be a Lakefield District Minor Hockey Head Coach?
Basic Job Description
ü Oversee and be responsible for all aspects of the day-to-day operation of the assigned team
ü Ensure the objectives of the Association as stated in the By-laws and Constitution and the OMHA Manual of Operations are met
ü Be a spokesperson for the team and represent the team at all meetings and functions
ü Attendance at the pre-season Coaches Meeting is mandatory!
This position requires a Level of Certification as stated in the OMHA Manual of Operations.
All applicants will review and comply with the requirements of the LDMHA By-laws and Constitution as well as the OMHA Manual of Operations.
Special attention should be given to the Harassment and Abuse Policy in the OMHA Manual of Operations.
Eligible applicants will require a satisfactory Vulnerable Sector Check / Police Check.
Forms can be located on the Association's main website under the Documents Tab and submitted to your local Police Service or OPP Detachment in the jurisdiction where you reside.
In addition to the regular season and playoffs, teams may be required to represent the Association in OMHA sanctioned Tournaments or Playdowns, or in Exhibition Games.
The coach, together with the manager, shall be responsible for assisting in any and all fundraising activities of the team.
Aims and Objectives of Our Organization
The objectives of the LDMHA are to:
1. foster, the maximum opportunity for youth to participate in amateur hockey within the territory under its control;
2. develop and maintain sportsmanship and good fellowship among all participants for the betterment of their physical, mental and social well-being;
3. sponsor and promote such athletic, social and other activities as may contribute to the moral and financial welfare of the Association.
Responsibilities of the Head Coach
· Establish seasonal goals and objectives for the Team.
· Be a role model for your players in reference to appropriate behaviour towards officials, other coaches and other players.
· Develop leadership abilities in young athletes
· Meet with parents of athletes and at the preseason meeting outline philosophies, ice time, playing time and other important aspects of your plan.
· Demonstrate a sincere effort in helping each athlete to maximize his or her potential.
· Mentor the necessary hockey skills for the age group as outlines in the NCCP Coaching Course.
· Develop a seasonal plan.
· Mentor skills using the proper sequences and progressions.
· Mentor skills using understandable language.
· Recognize that athletes differ in learning and readiness to learn, and that learning requires the acquisition of skills and attitudes. This requires patience and perseverance of the coach and player before the required behaviour will be consistently demonstrated in game play.
· Mentor more than just hockey skills!
· Plan effective practices (seasonal plan should include practice plan)
· Select support staff that meets the Associations standard and approval and will provide maximum benefit to you and your players.
· Seek the assistance of the parents of the players in running the activities of your program
· Hold regular parent and player meetings/send weekly communications to the team by email (or delegate this task to your Manager)
· Review a safety action plan with your trainer.
· Ensure that all ice and dressing room activities have adult supervision.
· Report any arena deficiencies to the Association Executive.
· Review player equipment on a regular basis for defects and advise parents accordingly.
· Monitor rehabilitation of injured athletes and ensure medical clearance to return to play.
· Report any player abuse to the Executive.
· Maintain communication with the Coach Mentor, to ensure that Association can assist in the resolution of difficulties at an early stage, and improve overall hockey program on an ongoing basis.
Trainer
Attendance at the pre-season Coaches Meeting is mandatory.
The primary responsibility of Team Trainer, in accordance with Hockey Development Centre for Ontario (HDCO) instruction, is to ensure player safety during all hockey related activities, both on and off the ice.
All LDMHA Team Trainers shall ensure up to date certification with HDCO.
Furthermore, all Hockey Trainers should utilize a proactive, preventative approach to safety while being prepared to react in the event of accidents, injuries or medical emergencies.
As a Hockey Trainer and team official you must play a leadership role in implementing effective risk management programs with your own teams, enhancing the safety of players and all involved in amateur hockey.
The following are some responsibilities that the Hockey Trainer should assume:
· Implement an effective Risk Management program with your team that strives to prevent injuries and accidents before they happen.
· Assume a proactive role in identifying and minimizing or eliminating risks during all activities, and if ever in doubt, always err on the side of caution.
· Promote and reflect the values of Fair Play and strive to instill these values in all participants and others involved in minor hockey.
· Ensure that all players are provided with meaningful opportunities and enjoyable experiences free from physical and/or emotional maltreatment.
· Conduct regular checks of players’ equipment to ensure proper fit, protective quality and maintenance, and advise players and parents regarding the selection or replacement of equipment.
· Promote proper conditioning, warm-up, and cool down techniques as effective methods of injury prevention.
· Maintain accurate medical information files on all players and team officials and bring these to all team activities.
· Maintain a Player Injury Log.
· Maintain a fully stocked First Aid Kit and bring it to all team activities.
· Implement an effective Emergency Action Plan with your team and practice it regularly to ensure all involved understand their roles and are prepared to act promptly when an incident occurs.
· Recognize life-threatening and significant injuries, and be prepared to deal with serious injury.
· Manage minor injuries according to basic injury management principles and refer players to medical professionals when necessary.
· Recognize injuries that require a player to be removed from action. Refer players to medical professionals and coordinate return to play.
· Promote a healthy lifestyle with all hockey participants by being a good role model and by educating participants regarding hygiene, performance-enhancing substances, drug and alcohol abuse, nutrition and hydration.
· Facilitate communication with players, coaches, parents, physicians, therapists, paramedical personnel, officials and other volunteers regarding safety, injury prevention and player’s health status.
· Act as a Hockey Trainer for both your team and your opponents if only one Hockey Trainer is present.
Team Manager
Attendance at the pre-season Coaches Meeting is mandatory.
The Team Manager is a central figure in creating the flow of communication – not only within the team (players, parents and coaches), but between the team and all support systems such as the LDMHA Executive, Convenor and other teams. The OMHA provides more detailed information about the roles and responsibilities of a manager which can be found at: http://www.omha.net/page/show/884934-team-managers.
The Team Manager is responsible for the general organization of the team and the overseeing of team funds and expenses. Parents and players are expected to assist the Team Manager in the successful running of the team, for example; staffing the gate during a game (if required) and participating in team and organizational fundraising initiatives.
The Team Manager shall provide a written year-end financial report to the team and LDMHA Treasurer within 4 weeks of the season ending.