DIRECTORS REPORT – INITATION HOCKEY 2016/17 SEASON
Preconditioning began October 2ndand the kids each had 10- one hour sessions prior to teams being made. The official teams started October 29th.66 players signed up for Initiation hockey this season, down from 90 the previous season. 17 of them girls. There were 2 mixed teams and 2 advanced teams. Team names - Barons Green, Blue, Red, Black. The 4 teams were split based on age, attendance & skill level. There was poor attendance from approximately 10 children, these were split between teams so no team was short.
Coaches meeting was held on October 27th, 2016. All the Head Coaches & Assistant Coaches attended the meeting, teams were handed out along with any other additional information to start the year. The meeting was held the same night as the BMHA coaches meeting, so the coaches could go from one meeting to the next. Jason Hawkesalso met us at the Don Ross and gave Coaches their team jerseys.
Cross-ice hockey-BMHA ordered rink dividers for this season. They were fully paid for by people buying sponsorship slots on the dividers, all dividers have been sponsored. The dividers were used in the Battleford rink all season.
Refs- the coaches acted as referees this season, this cut out the costs for IP refs.
SHA cross ice Jamboree - held onNovember 26th, 2016 at the Battleford Rink. It was a success & the feedback was that coaches, parents & players enjoyed the program.
Bannerman’s Photography took all team pictures on November 19th, 2016 (We used back to back ice sessions & it worked well at the Civic Center)
Thanks to The Battlefords North Stars for hosting our teams for Intermission games! Out of town tournaments were left up to coaches to book. They were one day tournaments near the Battlefords.
First Shift- 5 kids from first shift started hockey and fit in very well with the teams.
Wintertainment Week - the 1st Outdoor Classic was held Feb 25th, all teams participated. It was put on by the City of North Battleford. Since the outdoor rink melted the kids played a street hockey game.
Saturday, March 11th 2016 was the Initiation Funday home Tournament, 3 out of town teams, Radisson, Edam & Saskatoon came to play. Thanks to BMHA for covering our ice costs.
Affiliate players –no affiliate players were used this season.
Overall, it was an excellent hockey season kids had alittle over 60 hours of practice time.Each team typically had one hour of shared ice per weekday & 2 hours of shared ice per weekend. 35 kids born in 2010 will move to Novice next season, leaving 31 kids in Initiation. The season ran from October 2nd to March 25th.
Thanks to the tournament committee, parents, grandparents & players for a great hockey season. Most of all thank you to the coaches & managers who are dedicated & organized parents who volunteer their time & efforts to making your child’s hockey season fun & helping them learn how to play.
This sums up the year & it’s amazing how fast time flies & once again the hockey season is over! I have enjoyed beingyour Director!!
Ali Kramer, BMHA Initiation Director