Getting started on the right foot will be the best thing you can do. The biggest element to that will be attending and setting up the meetings at the beginning of the year. In the first few weeks of the season, there are key meetings that will require your attendance.

Step 1 - Getting the information you need

Vancouver Thunderbirds Hockey Coaches & Team Managers Meeting

Unless otherwise arranged, the Vancouver Thunderbirds Hockey Coaches & Team Managers Meeting is mandatory, usually in late September/early October. The meeting will provide a brief introduction to the season and an introduction to a few key support people. These will typically be done by division, and sometimes broken down to smaller groups from there (ie H1/H2 as opposed to the entire Initiation Division).

Click here for the slides from the Sept 27, 2017 meeting.

 

PCAHA Coach/Manager Meeting (H2-Midget)

It is also mandatory that you attend the PCAHA’s Coaches and Team Managers Meeting if you manage a team from H2 and above. Please check the PCAHA website for dates (also listed on the left of this page) and note that there are different dates/times for different divisions and whether you are an A (rep) or a C (house) team. This meeting gives you an opportunity to meet PCAHA personnel and ask questions. Bring your team list, either an Excel list or Hockey Canada team roster (if available) with you to this meeting in exchange for the game schedule and team contacts. You will be informed of any changes in PCAHA policy that may affect the season.
The game schedule, usually provided at this meeting, will most likely only go until the Christmas break. A new schedule will be issued in late December or early January for the remainder of the season.

Step 2 - Passing on the Information to your team

Your Team Meeting

Soon after your team has been formed, and ideally before your first game, you must have a team meeting with your parent group. The coach should discuss his/her team philosophies and expectations from both players and parents. Be prepared to present the following at this very important meeting:

• Present the team budget for the season. Work with the coach to include tournaments, extra ice, team development, apparel, team social activities, fundraisers and any other team events.
• Advise the parents what their financial commitment is expected to be, and discuss any fundraisers the team would like to do.
• Overview of the team’s practice and home game times, with potential times and locations for away games.
• Ensure all families update their emergency contact and medical information through ePACT. Coaching staff should also complete information for themselves in the event they are injured during any hockey activity.
• Along with the Coaches, review and discuss the expectations from the coaches and provide opportunity for the parents to provide input.
• Bring a list of team volunteering positions that need to be filled and have parents sign up for the positions.
• Remind anyone who hasn't done so to complete the online forms that were sent out by the association (Code of Conduct, image use waiver, and - for rep only - rep commitment form and other activity form). These are all mandatory!